Just Us

chapter twenty

Being better or being the best version of yourself is never an easy path or journey. You will fail not only once but a lot of times, you'll even want to just give up being better or just stay for you are.

If I am the old Cadence Amari, I would just laugh at my fucking self right now . Kahit saan mo tingnan, my previous world was easier to lived with. Like I said, less hassle and emotional attachment, less drama.

I still want that life, actually. It was the easier way to live if you are part of the third gender. Medyo malayo sa mata ng mapanghusgang tao.

Funny but it's true.

But I am the new Cadence Amari, the Cadence Amari that was afraid to lose the only hope of love that she felt. I am the Cadence Amari that wants to feel the love and return it to the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

At hindi ko iyon magagawa, kung habang buhay kong itatago ang takot na makasakit sa magulang ko. I was not solely for the love of my life but I want to be a better person for them, I want to be proud that I was born and raised with love. I was surrounded by people who love me.

I stared at the house in front of me. I am holding the steering wheel a lot tighter as I close my eyes and inhale slowly, trying to calm the nerves that starts to malfunction.

"You need it, Cadence. For the closure you deserve," bulong ko sa sarili at nagpasyang buksan na ang pinto ng sasakyan ko.

I slept on Maureen'd unit after I drunk the whole bar last night. I was thankful that she prepared a hang-over soup and let me drink the pill that she always has. Well, she is also an alcoholic.

Alak din ang lunas sa bawat problema niya.

Hindi ko pa tuluyang nabubuksan ang gate ay pinagbuksan na ako ni Manong Silo, ang guard na nagbabantay. "Magandang umaga, Maam. Tamang-tama ang dating ninyo. Walang pasok sa opisina sila Sir," nakangiting imporma nito sa akin.

"Good morning po Manong Silo, pasok na po ako." I walked towards the entrance.

Our house was personally designed by my Papa. The trail from the doorsteps are filled with different flowers, mostly it was tulips, because I am a fan of it.

Hindi ko namalayang napapangiti na ako habang naglalakad.

As I hailed the entrance of our abode, I immediately saw my parents who are too sweet with each other. They are watching some documentary film, my dad, Kirnon Dela Cuesta was laying on my Papa's lap. His associates and acquaintances wouldn't believe if they saw him being a baby to his partner. I mean, his that strict and terror businessman.

I faked a cough, reason why I stole their attention. Mabilis na tumayo si Dad sa pagkakahiga at si Papa ay mabilis na nagbago ang mukha. He smiles brightly at me before standing on their sat and walks excitedly towards me.

"Oh my god! My baby!" Papa exclaimed as he held both of my elbows after the hug.

Dad who remains on his position only lifted his lips up while watching us.

"Did you eat your breakfast?" Papa joyfully guided me on the living room. "Do you want me to cook?" he looks excited.

I chuckled and only shook my head. I placed the paper bag I brought on the coffee table. It has a lot of pastries. My chocolate chip cookies, chocolate Java cookies. The paper bag also contains macaroons and cupcakes.

"You bought so many," My Dad delightfully said before he picked the macaroon's box and opened it.

I beamed at them before sitting on the couch, si Papa ay ayaw ng humiwalay sa akin kaya magkatabi kami sa mahabang upuan. Dad is the sole owner of one-person couch beside our seat. "I rarely visit home and I miss my family."