We never began, but we're over

CHAPTER 2

“Wala po ba talaga kayong plano na umuwi?” kausap ko ngayon si mommy through video call, agad akong tumawag sa kaniya pagka-uwi ko ng bahay. Kalalabas niya lang din from her duty at the hospital. Si dad naman ay nasa work parin niya, as expected busy siya palagi.

“Still unplanned, anak. Alam naman namin na kaya mo na diyan, independent ka na ‘di ba?” I pouted. Anong makakaya, e tingnan mo naman kung gaano ka unorganized itong bahay dahil kahit isang katulong wala. Hindi naman sa irresponsible ako pagdating sa gawaing bahay, kinukulang lang talaga ako ng time minsan because of schoolworks.

“Why don't you guys just hire a maid for me? kahit isa lang,” I begged. “please mom, para may tagalinis naman ako ng room, I can't afford doing everything on my own.” lintaya ko while hoping she would grant my wish, but she just shook her head as a sign of disagreement.

“Bakit pa? all you need to do is to fix some stuffs there, going to school, cook for yourself or if tinatamad ka, pwede ka namang mag order nalang. It's not that hard.” I sighed, oftentimes hindi ko talaga magawang pilitin ang parents ko, heto na naman ako’t walang magawa kundi sumunod nalang. I grew up having a lot of maids inside our house, na kahit ano mang hilingin ko ay nandiyan agad, kaya siguro I am struggling din ngayon, nasa adjusting phase palang ako ng pagiging independent. Siguro gusto lang nila na matuto akong tumayo sa sariling mga paa, that not everytime kailangan ide-depende mo ‘yong sarili mo sa iba.

“Sige po, I’m gonna end the call na since I still have a task to do.” pagpapaalam ko. She kissed me behind the camera.

“Sige na, take care.” I turned off my internet and placed my phone on the center table. It'll shutoff soon, ngunit tinatamad akong mag charge.

My mom was working as an anesthesiologist doctor at Wellington Regional Medical Center, New Zealand. While my dad, is a professor lawyer at NZ law school, Victoria University of Wellington. My grandparents both sides were quite wealthy, pure Filipinos din sila, and nagkakilala sina mama at papa here in Philippines as well, their relationship have been legalized after being two weeks in a relationship. Then, after they graduated high school, they decided to take their chosen course together at New Zealand. Their love story was amazing right? how about mine?

I checked the time on my wristwatch, past six na pala and walang laman ‘yong refrigerator. I forgot to buy foods to cook, siguro dala narin ng walang ganang kumain. Earlier, I only ate cucumber and lettuce.

I went to the nearest convenience store after taking a half bath. I bought a mango, lemon and coconut flavored mogu-mogu juice. This was my favorite ever since. I picked potato chips and chocolate bars. Random fruits, egg and dairy products as well as with some frozen foods.

Natawa nalang ako sa nai-imagine ko. A wife thingy? I feel like I am taking care of two kids, buying uncooked foods that I'll cook before my husband gets home.

But honestly, madalas akong delusional even if I am not yet ready for those things. Tsaka nalang siguro when life gets better, kasi kahit ngayon nga hindi pa ako ready na mag accept ng suitor, hindi rin ako handa na sabihin ito sa mga magulang ko, I don't have any idea sa kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon nila kung sakali.

“Ano pa bang kulang?” i asked myself while roaming my eyes around. Nagmamadali narin ako kasi pagabi na talaga.

“Hi miss.” it was a guy with a black hoodie standing right by my side. I pointed my finger on myself asking,

“Ako ba?” then he nodded. He looks like he's on his twenty's na or maybe nineteen.

“Do we know each other?”

“Ikaw ‘yon ‘diba? iyong nabangga last time ng twin sister ko.” at first I was confused, tsaka ko lang naalala ang sophomore student who spilled a coffee on me.