Walking back Home (Martensen Series #2)

Prologue

"You are a disgrace to this family!"

A thunderous voice came from my mother's mouth. Unti-unting lumalakas ang kaniyang marahas na paghinga, habang nakatingin sa akin ng masama.

Her hair was a perfect mess and almost wet just because of the rain. I am almost definitely like her from head to toe. Ang kaniyang pag-uugali, ang kaniyang pagkilos ay gayang-gaya ko.

No wonder she is the monster in everything that I do. Takot lang siya na baka gayahin ko ang mga ginagawa niyang kasamaan.

Christine Myrrah Lagare is one of the most prominent and prestigious woman in the world of business. Kahit si Daddy ay nalalamangan sa galing ni Mommy pagdating sa negosyo. She can handle everything. With every flick of her fingers, she can turn your world into darkness.

Hindi ko nga rin alam kung paano nakayanan ni Daddy ang makisama sa isang tulad niya. Is it really because of love? Ganoon ba iyon?

"How many times do I have to tell you not to go out with that kind of people?! Ang tigas-tigas ng ulo mo, Celestine!"

Galit na galit na sabi ni Mommy habang nakapamewang ito naglakad nang pabalik-pabalik.

I rolled my eyes at her and sighed. She ruined my best friend's party! Wala na akong mukhang ihaharap nito sa mga kaibigan ko bukas. She didn't let me attend my friend's party; that's why I sneaked out of my room. Hindi ko naman inakala na kaya niyang i-track ang aking cellphone.

"Mom, they're my friends! Matagal ko na silang nakasama. Atsaka, it is just a simple party anyway," sagot ko sa kaniya pabalik at nakita kong pinandilatan niya ako sa kaniyang mga mata.

"It is just a simple party?! Do you hear yourself, Celestine? You are dancing with the boys! Drinking! Ganoon ba ang tinutukoy mong simpleng selebrasyon?!" She hysterically said.

You wouldn't listen to me either if I explained it to you in an easier way. Lahat nalang ng mga nakikita niya ay ang mga mali kong nagawa sa buhay. Since I was a kid, I was controlled by her power. Kahit na ayaw ko ay nilulunok ko nalang.

She is perfectionist. She is the standard. Kahit na ako mismo na anak niya ay hindi ko iyon maabot. Palaging kulang.

"Mom, it is normal to dance! I am almost eighteen!"

"Stop it, Celestine! You never really learn." Galit na galit pa rin niyang sabi sa akin.

Nagdadabog akong naglakad paakyat sa aking kwarto. She kept calling me, but I didn't answer her back. Nakakapagod nang makipag-sigawan sa kaniya.

I locked the door in my room and went to the closet to change clothes. Nabasa ang damit ko nang dahil sa ulan! Nagpupumiglas akong makawala sa mga braso niya kanina, nang pinilit niya akong ilabas sa bahay ng aking kaibigan.

Damn it!

Classmate ko pa naman ang mga iyon ngayong taon!

"You have to be there," Samantha said while smiling at me.

Tapos na ang panghuling subject namin para sa araw na ito nang inilahad niya sa akin ang isang pulang invitation card.

Kumunot ang aking noo at nailipat ko ang aking paningin sa kaniya. She twitched her lips and lifted her right eyebrow.

"What's this?"

"My party na magaganap sa bahay namin mamayang gabi. It is my nineteenth birthday. Since we are already friends, I want you to be there." Pagpapaliwanag sa akin ni Samantha.

A small smile was very evident on my lips. Ngayon pa lang ay na-e-excite na ako. I never had the chance to attend a normal party with my friends. I never had the chance to do it. Yes, I've been to parties before, but that was boring! Paano ba naman, mga matatandang negosyante lang naman ang nakikita ko. Sinasama ako nila Mommy at Daddy sa mga social gatherings, pero hindi sa mga ganitong selebrasyon.