Broken Promises

Chapter 2 - Missing Piece

That was way back 4 years ago..

I'm currently navigating my journey through tertiary education, still attending the same school and holding the same position.

After I finish pre-law, I'm planning to move on to law school.

It's been a while since I last saw my mom and brothers. They've been living in California, and three years ago, I cut ties with them. At that time, I couldn't explain what I felt, but I knew it was valid.

Dad is still in the Philippines, but I live with Tita Imee now. He visits when he isn't busy.

It's no surprise, really—they're annulled.

Ironic, isn't it? The once happy and almost perfect family has become a broken one, something we never imagined or expected.

I taught myself to be independent, to stand on my own without asking for help from anyone. Though Tita and Mamita always remind me that they're ready to listen to my rants and problems, I prefer not to burden them as much as I can.

To be honest, I miss the old memories—the ones my family and I shared. I miss the old us, but I have to keep going. For myself.

The last thing I heard from them was that Kuya Luis's wife, Ate Xandra, is pregnant.

Too bad, I won't be able to see my nephews or nieces, not yet. I still don't have the courage to see my mom again.

Maybe soon, I hope.

I don't have school today, so I'm just in my room, sitting in front of my laptop. I'm not really into social media, which is why most of my accounts are deactivated.

I walked out of my room when I started feeling hungry. Heading to the kitchen, I saw our house helpers.

"Good morning, ma'am!"

"Good morning. Is Tita home?"

"Nasa opisina niya po, binilin din po niya na kumain ka raw," the helper replied. I nodded and smiled.

I prepared my meal, making sure not to give any orders, especially when it's just me eating. I took some oatmeal, poured milk on it, and sliced some fruits to mix in.

While eating, I opened my social media to check what's going on in the world today.

Trending now..

Ms. Irene Marcos's other daughter.

Great. What a way to start my day.

Curious as ever, I clicked on the post. It was a photo of a girl standing next to my mother.

@flop.era: "Mas maganda pa din si Kate, hehe."

@angelica: "Syempre, no one will ever replace Miss Kate Araneta's space in Ms. Irene's heart. She's her real daughter, the only princess of the Marcoses. Eh ikaw, beh, san ka nanggaling? Char!"

@irenearanetafansclub: "Ito po username ng kasama ni Ms. Irene: @janellaivory."

I decided to activate my Instagram and immediately clicked on the username.

@janellaivory

blessed.

234 following
32.2K followers

Followed by: @xandrarocha

Her account wasn't private, so I took a moment to scroll through her posts. I wondered what her family name was. Mom wouldn't give her the Araneta surname because she's not Araneta. She's not my sister.