As Amby heard a knock at her door, she came to her senses. She was accurate in predicting the person. Liliana, Amber, Sadie, and Brianna were there. When they saw Amby's crimson, teary eyes, the four of them stopped smiling in her direction.
Liliana said, "Oh my goodness! Are you alright, my love?" and came over to give her the most reassuring embrace.
Sadie, Brianna, and Amber also gave hugs. Amby's tears started to pour like water, splashing. Amby just required that, after all. A phrase that reads, "are you alright?” and hugs that full of warmth.
From the moment she began to experience trauma and sorrow from her family, to the time Brent left her, and all the way up until the moment she lost her child, Amby fought for such a long time. As she thinks she can manage everything, she has never begged for consolation. All was she wanted was to breakthrough, but it just led her to breakdown.
Hindi niya pala kaya na i-handle lahat ng problema ng siya lang, kailangan niya din pala ng tulong ng iba minsan. Kahit ano palang pilit niyang pagtatago sa problema at nararamdaman niya, darating pa din pala talaga siya sa oras na hindi niya kakayanin at mauubos siya.
She choose to be strong. Amby choose to be strong because she knows that those who were strong are the ones who survive.
She understood, though, that it can be challenging to maintain strength in some situations. It gets exhausting holding the shield and sword during struggles, so you may need to lay them down occasionally—not to concede defeat, but to take a break in the midst of a battle.
Sadie, seeing her in that condition, asked, "Amby, what's going on?"
Naunang bumitaw sa yakap si Brianna para ayain silang pumasok sa loob ng condo unit ni Amby. "Pumasok muna tayo, tapos magkwento ka, Amby. We're always willing to listen, no matter what that thing's bothering you."
Umupo sila Sadie at Brianna sa sofa nasa gitna nila si Amby na naiyak pa rin hanggang ngayon at mahinang humihikbi. Habang sila Liliana at Amber naman ay nakaupo sa sahig at nag-iintay sa sasabihin ni Amby.
Amby started out by saying, "I know, you all know that I ran away from home, right? But I didn't tell you all the reasons why I left."
Her four closest pals were merely attentively listening to her. They understand that Amby needs someone who will listen to her in the interim. She can no longer contain everything inside herself, and she undoubtedly wants to shed the weight.
"Our family was just so... toxic. Their treatment to me and my siblings are unalike. Sila Kuya at Ate, pinag-aral nila, ako hindi. Ako... Ako iyong nagpaaral sa sarili ko. Ako iyong nagpatapos sa sarili ko, kahit sobrang hirap. Iyong mga taon na dinanas ko ng ako lang mag-isa, hindi... Hindi iyon ganoong kadali," she exclaimed.
Bumuntong hininga si Amby at pinigil ang pag-iyak bago nagsalitang muli. "Lumaki ako na nag-aadjust para sa mga kapatid ko, na kahit ice cream hindi ako nabilhan kasi marami daw gastusin... Pero iyong Kuya at Ate ko, kahit gaano kamahal, nabibilhan nila..."
"So, growing up... I grew up realizing being not worth it and not spent. Kaya kapag nireregaluhan niyo ako ng mga mamahaling bagay, hindi ko alam kung tatanggapin ko ba o tatanggihan ko. Kasi alam ko, hindi naman ako worth it pagkagastusan o bigyan ng mamahaling bagay kasi nga lumaki ako sa ganoong way," Amby added.
Sadie began to sob. Even though she hasn't been in Amby's shoes or been in her predicament, she can still see how difficult it is for Amby by just seeing her cry.
"Si Ate, nagkaroon na siya ng sarili niyang pamilya. Ako din, pangarap ko talaga magkaroon ng sariling pamilya pagdating ng araw. Pero unti-unti kong natatanggap na wala na akong pag-asa na makabuo ng pamilya. Iyong sinabi ni Ate sa akin kanina..." Amby started to cry, which caused her closest friends to become concerned.
