Behind Every Pages

Chapter Eight:

Lestari

Our family had just finished attending church. Nagpaiwan lang ako sandali dahil mangangamusta sa mga kakilala. When I came out, I was surprised to see Luther leaning against his car with his arms crossed. It seems he was waiting for me.

"Why?" I asked.

"Dad said to bring you along because he left for a meeting. I don't have a choice even if I don't want to," bored niyang sabi.

"Tss, never mind then. I'll just call our other driver. Obvious naman na ayaw mo sa presensya ko." It was clear on his face that he was being forced. Why should I insist on going with him? We might just end up arguing in the car, eh kagagaling lang namin sa simbahan.

"Glad you know, bye then," ngumisi siya bago pumasok sa kotse niya saka ito pinaandar ng mabilis. I was left dumbfounded. He really left me!

I quickly messaged Kuya Alistair to pick me up in front of the church because there's a cafe nearby, I could stay there for a while. He replied that I should wait for a bit because our other driver is busy. I just agreed.

Naisipan ko na lang pumunta sa mall dahil gusto ko na talagang bilhin yung bagong labas na libro ni Ezonme! One week ko rin hinintay 'yon.

Nagpara lang ako ng taxi at nagsabing sa mall kami pupunta. Nang makababa ay saka ako nagbayad at pumasok na sa loob. Nagpunta agad ako sa book store at hinanap 'yon. Hindi naman na ako nahirapan dahil kitang-kita na ito agad. Syempre sikat na author si Ezonme, ihaharap talaga nila ang mga libro niya.

When I finally held it, I was so happy. His books always have beautiful covers. It was still wrapped in plastic, so I couldn't smell it. I went straight to the cashier and paid. Just then, our driver texted that he was already here. I had told him I was at the mall.

When I reached the parking lot, I was surprised to see my Dad inside the car.

"Oh, no." kumalabog yata ang dibdib ko sa kaba nang makita ang galit na tingin sa akin ni Daddy.

I quietly got into the car. I felt a chill inside, hindi dahil sa aircon sa loob, but because I knew I was in trouble again!

"You really defy me, Lestari," his voice thundered inside the car. I felt weak with fear.

"Sorry, Dad,"

"No! I just allowed you recently. And what? Sumusuway ka nanaman. We had rules, Lestari! After school, home. After church, home, and here you are? Umaalis ng mag-isa."

"Sorry, Dad, I just really wanted to buy the book I liked sorry po," I felt like crying. I just bowed my head out of fear and didn't want to look at him.

"You're grounded again for one whole month, Lestari," he said. But I didn't argue anymore. I couldn't do anything about it.

Tahimik kaming nakarating sa bahay. I caught Luther smirking and looking at me. This bitch, he must have ratted me out.

"Why did you do that?" I approached him immediately. I wanted to hurt him so badly, but I wasn't like that.

"Jumping to conclusions, Ate?" nakangising aniya. Ate? Huwag niya akong ma ate ate dito at pagsinapak ko siya.

"Don't call me Ate. Just admit it! You're the one who told him"

"So what if he told me? Were you planning to keep it a secret and let your butler cover for you?" I heard Daddy's words behind me.

"Hindi naman po ako sumuway, Dad. Luther left me there. He didn't want to be with me, so I didn't force myself. I didn't want him to be uncomfortable," I sarcastically replied while glaring at Luther.

He grinned. "Wow, you're a gaslighter now," he replied.

"Both of you stop. I told Luther to wait for you. Whether he liked it or not, he followed but you refused him, kaya siya umalis. Ikaw ang hindi sumusunod sa mga utos ko, Lestari." He said angrily.

Matapos ang mahabang pagsermon niya sa akin ay nagtungo na lang ako sa kuwarto ko. I took a deep breath before deciding to change.

"It's okay, I'll just read," I smiled at that thought. I immediately opened the new book I bought and smelled it. Tanggal negative vibes talaga pag may bago kang libro.

Oh, the smell of a brand new book! It's like a symphony for the senses. It's not just a smell, it's a promise. A promise of untold adventures, of worlds waiting to be explored, of knowledge waiting to be absorbed.

And the best part? The smell lingers, even after you've finished reading, like a whisper of the story, a reminder of the magic you've experienced. It's a smell that stays with you, a reminder that the world of books is always waiting, always ready to welcome you back.

I find myself biting my lip when trying to suppress a smile. I've been reading for hours now, and I'm close to halfway through the book. I also had my meal sent  to my room at the right time because I don't want Daddy to get mad at me again.

"Wow ah, hindi raw type pero nauulol," natatawa kong komento sa binabasa ko. Tanggi kasi nang tanggi si main lead sa mga kaibigan nito na hindi niya gusto si female lead pero baka sa point of view nito, hindi na siya makahinga sa pagkabaliw sa female lead. Napailing na lang ako.

I decided to take a photo while reading Ezonme's book. I was planning to tag him like before, but he might see it this time. I'm now conscious of my appearance. I took many photos, but I only chose one, the one that doesn't show my face para kapag ita-tag ko siya ay okay lang.

Napapangiti ako habang nagtitipa ng ilalagay na caption. Ano kayang maganda? Sana kagaya ni Main Lead lang din ang Author para nauulol sa'kin? Napailing na lang ako.

Matapos kong i-story 'yon ay pinatay ko na ang phone ko at nagbasa na lang muli. Nakasuot na ako ng reading glasses ngayon dahil ilang oras na akong nagbabasa. Umiinom ako nang kape nang makarinig ng katok. Pumasok si Kuya Alistair at naiiling na naupo sa maliit na upuan sa tapat ng higaan ko.

"Ikaw talaga, napagalitan ka ano?"

Tumango lang ako, hindi siya tiningnan. Nagbabasa pa rin kasi ako. Wala siya kanina nang pagalitan ako kaya hindi niya ako naipagtanggol. Hindi naman kailangan dahil mali talaga ako kanina.

I always accept that, it's just that my situation makes me wonder why Dad is so strict with me. What's the deal? Is my life in danger? Did i do something wrong? Do i deserve to be hidden? Why can Luther do whatever he wants freely? It's unfair, but I can't complain to them because I can't even fight for my freedom. I'm a coward and I just follow along. Hindi ko kaya harapin ang mga problema ko. Bakit pa haharapin? Puwede namang tumalikod na lang. What am I going to do outside when everything I need is here at home? Specifically, in the library.

"Okay ka lang?"

Tumango ako ulit. Lagi akong okay, basta may libro. Para akong dinadala nila mismo sa mundo nila. Kahit papaano ay naiibsan yung lungkot at pagiging lonely ko.

"Ilang oras ka na nagbabasa?" tanong ni Kuya Alistair.

Tinaas ko lang ang apat na daliri ko. Narinig kong natawa siya. Tinuloy ko lang ang pagbabasa ko at hindi talaga siya tinitingnan.

"Baka gusto mong mag-open ng Facebook?" doon niya lang naagaw ang atensyon ko.

"What do you mean? What's wrong?"

Pero nagkibit-balikat lang ito at tumayo na. Kumaway lang siya sa akin at sinara na ang pinto. Naguguluhan man ay agad kong binuksan ang phone ko at to my surpise someone message me in chat. Akala ko nga sa IG pero sa group chat lang naman ng mga kaibigan ko ang messages ko doon. Nasa message request ko pa nga ito dahil hindi kami friends sa Facebook. Nang buksan ko iyon ay naguguluhan ako dahil ang sabi nito ay...

Ezrahel Astley Valera
Hello to my number one fan.