Dazzled by Flames (Flames Series #3)

Chapter 34

TW: Mention of suicide.

Peace-bringer

Our relationship remained the same. We've talked but I'm not yet ready to be civil with him. I'll slowly try but it's too early for that. Gusto kong isa-isahin muna ang mga dapat gawin. I'm still working on myself. Saka na ang relasyon ko sa kaniya.

Maybe if I am the Tali seven years ago, I am surely so happy right now. Ito naman ang gustong-gusto kong mangyari noon pa man. But I grew up. I've changed. Sa sobrang daming pagbabago, parang ibang tao na ako. And what I've been praying before changed, too.

I care for him. I still do because I love him. He's my father so I can do nothing about it. However, I want to choose myself over him now. Noon kasi ay palaging siya. I was always hoping he would start seeing me as his daughter.

Kakagaling ko lang sa psychiatrist ko. I visited her because my conversation with Dad has been bothering me. I told her about it. Halos lahat naman ay alam niya. She needs to know everything so she could help me.

At first, it was very difficult for me to open up. I'm used to keeping all to myself. Fighting all my battles alone. So when I start coming for psychotherapies, I had to make adjustments first.

I reached for my bag in the passenger seat before stepping out of my jeep. Lumapit ako sa elevator at pinindot ang button.

I'm meeting Niah today. We've been in touch since we transferred here. Si Brielle naman ay isang beses ko pa lang nakita sa loob ng pitong taon. Sa cellphone ko lang siya palaging nakakausap dahil abala siya sa trabaho niya sa Dubai. She's a successful architect now and so single. I don't know what happened to her classmate she used to date secretly.

"I missed you!" sabi niya pagbukas ng pinto. Humalik siya sa pisngi ko at nilawakan ang awang ng pintuan para makapasok ako.

"Na-miss din kita." Yumakap ako sa kaniya bago pumasok sa condo niya.

Lumapit kami sa couch at doon umupo.

"Hey!" Ellis greeted. May hawak siyang babasaging lalagyan na may lamang lasagna.

"Wow. You baked," sambit ko.

"Inutusan ko. Darating ka, eh," si Niah.

They're together for three years now and Ellis is currently planning to propose already. Hinihintay niya lang na mapaunlakan siya ng parents ni Niah na pag-usapan ang tungkol doon. Gusto niya muna silang makausap bago mag-propose.

Binaba ko ang bag ko sa mesa. I looked at her and I can't help but smile. She looks so much happy especially now that she already passed her physician licensure exam.

I'm glad that both of my friends are successful now. They're doing what they love now and what they worked hard for.

"Congrats, doc. I'm so happy for you." I smiled widely at her.

She pouted. "I'm kilig sa doc!"

"Get used to it. Pinaghirapan mo 'yan."

She sighed and smiled. "Shit... ang saya." Niyakap niya ko.

I chuckled. Masaya ako na malaman na masaya siya. She deserves that after everything she went through.

"How are you pala?" she asked.

She let go of me and stared at me. I pushed her gently away from me. Kung makatingin, eh.

"Okay naman. Puro work lang," nagkibit-balikat ako.

"Hmm... you sure you're okay, ah?"

"Yup."

"I'm glad naman. Basta update me always when it comes to you ah."