TNRS I: To The Bone (Ongoing)

Chapter 23: Naughty

"Yes, mom. I will be staying there for 4 days just until the convention ends and then I'll go back to Puerto Galera after."

"Are you sure you don't wanna stay at our house in manila? Ibibilin kita kay manang."

"No, it's way too far from the venue of the convention at nagreserve naman na ng hotel room ang school para sa iistayan namin." I explained.

"You're coming with two of your classmates, right? It's a little concerning, rai... I mean, they're both guys although I know of their families-still... I'm worried about you. Will you be..." Mom seems to be worrying too much about this but I can't really back out now.

There's no time, mahihirapang maghanap ang mga profs in finding a substitute for me. And besides, I'm coming with axel, and to be honest, grey is what really makes me uncomfortable.

"I'm good, mom."

"Good. Shall I call on someone to accompany you? It's manila, rai... Things that you least expect might happen, so take some personnel along with you. And if ever you don't like the room you'll be getting, you can just come home to our house at ipaghahanda ko na lang si Clara in case na umuwi ka doon."

"No, please. I don't wanna take extra baggages and I'm only going to be there for a few days so no need. And as I said, the house is too far from the venue so don't bother inconveniencing the people in the house."

"Rai. We talked about this. You know I won't let you-your father as well won't let you go alone with two guys in a hotel even if it's for school purposes. Even that boy from the Claveros, I find trouble."

"Mom, please. Can you just... give me space? Let me do the things that I should be doing. I can't barely manage a thing if you and dad keep on being so overly protective. All of these won't help me."

Natahimik ang kabilang linya. I can hear dad talking from a far, both of them sighing. I don't know about everything but when it comes in making decisions and taking choices... I know they'll understand and give way.

My family values respect upon one's decision making. That's how we were supposed to grow. To learn from our mistakes and own up to it, to take responsibilities, to make our own choices and to respect others' as well.

"Rai, who are you coming with again?" It's dad.

"Axel Ferrel, you know his father. He's my classmate and my biggest rival in academics. And the other is well... Grey, you know him."

Grey is the brother of sienna's ex-fiancé, and his family is a close friend of our family. So, there's no doubt that dad would recognize him. 

"Oh... That kid and the Ferrel one, how odd." There was a short silence between the line. "Well, alright. But how about you?"

I know what they feel, though it's been long since my doctor said I have finally recovered from the trauma. The tragedy or the incident of that exact night will forever live inside the memory of our family.

The bewitching fear and the pain still lingers. And I know, no matter what I do and no matter how much I assure them I'm fine, hinding hindi ko matatanggal sa mga magulang ko ang takot nila na baka isang gabi ay mawala na naman ulit ako sakanila.

I sighed. "I'm also a little scared, but... I don't plan to hide away from the things I fear for, dad."

Dad sighed as well. "Then, I'll entrust yourself to you. But I will still have men from a far as per family's protocol. It's not that we don't trust you anak, but you can never be sure with what situation comes ahead."

"Alright."

"Okay. Well, we have to go now. Text us when you arrive in Manila, darling. Be safe. Love you."