Phoenix Forced from the Ashes (CDCS I)

Chapter I

Fabroa

"Pinapahatid po pala ni Sir Amos ito," saad ng isa sa mga katulong namin. Hawak niyo ang isang kulay maroon na gown. "Suotin niyo po ito para sa birthday ng pinsan niyo."

Tumango ako dito at muling binalik ang tingin sa malaking salamin sa harap ko. Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha ko ng ilang segundo, nakikita ang pagod sa likod ng aking mga mata, ang mga linyang unti-unting lumilitaw sa aking balat, tanda ng bigat na araw-araw kong pasan. Mapait akong ngumiti at huminga nang malalim.

Life often feels this way—like a never-ending cycle of demands and expectations. Sa likod ng bawat ngiti, nakatago ang pagod; sa likod ng bawat tagumpay, nakakubli ang pangamba. Pagod na pagod na akong itugma ang bawat hakbang sa takbo ng mundong hindi humihinto, hindi nagpapahinga. Napakahirap mabuhay sa ganitong paraan, pero... am I truly living?

I've never had the opportunity to live for myself. My parents decide everything for me—from the clothes I wear and the things I buy to the food I eat. It's as if they're living my life for me, and their choices echo in every corner of my existence. I can't refuse them; after all, they are my parents, and parents are meant to guide their children. Yet their guidance feels like a straightjacket, constraining me to a path that isn't mine

Pagod na akong mabuhay nang ayon sa inaasahan ng iba. Kailan ko kaya mararanasan ang pagkakataong mabuhay para sa sarili ko, nang tunay at walang alinlangan?

Nakarinig ako ng tatlong katok sa labas. "Taylah, are you ready? Mahuhuli na tayo."

"Wait for a moment," I said and stood up. Naglahad ako sa kama ko at kinuha ang gown doon.

"Make it fast. The ceremony will begin soon. Kailangan naroon na tayo or else magagalit ang Lola mo," mariing aniya at narinig ko ang tunog ng heels nito na naglakad paalis.

━━━ •°❀°• ༻❁༺ •°❀°• ━━━

"Happy birthday, Arlott," Dad greeted my cousin, who was standing beside Aunt Felicia and Uncle Ferret.

My mother handed the present we'd prepared to Aunt Felicia. "We bought a little something for him."

"Thank you, Tati," Aunt Felicia said with a smile. "I'm so glad you made it tonight. I know you're both busy being surgeons."

Mom smiled back. "It's my nephew's birthday. How could I miss it?"

Habang nag-uusap sila ay inilibot ko ang panginin ko para suriin ang paligid. My family were scattered everywhere, engaged in conversations and laughter that filled the space. Balloons and streamers in shades of blue and silver hung from the ceiling, giving the place a festive vibe. A long table was set up with a feast of dishes.

"Taylah looks gorgeous in her black dress," Aunt Felicia said, and I stopped what I was doing, her words catching me off guard.

"Salamat po, Aunt Felicia," I replied shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Parang dalaga na talaga," she continued, looking at me with that fond, proud gaze. "Ang bilis mo talagang lumaki."

Mom glanced over and gave a small smile. "She's really blossoming," she said, almost to herself.

I shifted a bit, unsure of what to say. The compliments felt nice, but part of me wanted to disappear into the crowd, away from all this attention. Madalas akong nakakatanggap ng mga papuri, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako nasasanay. I still didn't know how to take them or how to respond.

"I'll just roam around po," pagpapaalam ko, and I walked away, trying not to glance back.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag noong nakalayo na ako sa kanila. I headed toward the living room and sank into the sofa, grateful for a few moments of quiet. I wanted to relax, away from all the noise and the crowd. I wanted to just breathe for a while.