Every Flip of Pages

3

Warning: Physical Abuse

"Are you okay, ate Nea?" I snapped when Cristy spoke beside me.

Tulala ako mula pa kanina and the thought of going home is making me feel a lot worse. I sighed, how can I feel bad about going home when it is supposed to feel safe?

I smiled at her, she gently hold my hand and lean her head on my shoulder.

"I'm okay, pagod lang siguro ako," I replied. I can feel her hand gently squeezing mine.

"How's your day? Did you do well in school?" I added. Ibinaling niya ang paningin sa akin, her face was full of admiration and excitement.

She giggled and showed me her hands full of stars. There's a total of 6 stars on her arms, she pointed it on me and start counting it.

"I got 6 stars today, are you proud of me?"

"Of course, I am. Who would not? You're such a smart kid, love," I assured her. She hugged me from the side while smiling.

"Mommy wasn't. She told me I should do better on school and shouldn't brag little achievements."

My whole face crumbled because of what she said. The thought of my sister being this thirsty of compliment makes me wanna slap myself. She was being told to study hard and put into a lot of pressure.

And I can't even do anything about it, we are both caged in a place where leaving doesn't mean we're free. The thought of a belt laying on my face makes tremble.

"I'm sorry," I gently whispered.

"It's okay, I'm getting used of it. And it doesn't matter, I have you po," she tighten her hug.

She was one of the reason why existing was somehow bearable. She can make my gloomy day a bright and productive day. Her smile makes me more eager to earn and leave.

Agad na pinark ng driver ang kotse sa garahe. Everything in this house was organized, maging ang mga halaman malapit sa gate ay pantay. The stone on the pathway was perfectly aligned. It feels like a sin to be flawed whenever you're here.

Sabay kaming bumaba ni Cristy sa sasakyan. We are welcomed by the maids, their serious face was like a tattoo embedded on their faces. Hindi ko sila kailanman nakitang nakangiti.

Ibinigay namin ang bag sa kanila bago sabay na pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Nadatnan namin si mama na nakaupo sa sofa at nagbabasa ng magazine. She was sipping on her coffee when she throw a glance on us. Mabigat man sa pakiramdam ay lumapit kami sakaniya at humalik sa pisngi.

"You're 2 minutes late," she raised her eyebrow while looking at me accusingly.

"Traffic po, ma. Sorry," pabulong kong saad. She just give me dismissing look before turning her attention on the magazine again.

"Bihis lang po kami," tinanguan niya lang kami. Sabay ulit kami ng tahimik na si Cristy na umakyat sa hagdan patungo sa kwarto. I opened the pink door on the middle of the pathway.

My room was the only safe place in this house. Nagbihis lang ako ng isang grey sweatpants at isang white fitted croptop. Agad akong dumiretso sa study table ko nang matapos. Binigyan ko ng saglit na tingin ang mga librong nasa ibabaw ng study table bago dinampot ang journal ko.

It was the only thing that I can trust, this journal became my life saver eversince I was stated miserable. Binuksan ko ito, I didn't know what to write. Everything was just like a roller coaster, not only it revolve in circles but there's also none changes. Paulit ulit lang naman ang mga pangyayari sa buhay ko.

Umiling ako bago ibinalik sa lamesa ang journal, maybe I would just write something later. I should practice my writing skills too, my competition was getting closer.