Behind Every Pages

Chapter Sixteen:

Lestari

It's already eight in the morning as I leave my room after getting ready for school. I was heading downstairs when I overheard Daddy and Kuya Alistair talking.

"Ilang araw kayo doon, Sir?" Kuya Alistair asked Daddy.

"Maybe a week. I don't know, this woman just won't leave me alone. I'll show her who she's up against," I furrowed my brow upon hearing that. Who was Dad talking about? He said he would be gone for a week too, but I hadn't asked him yet about the upcoming event this week where Ezra and Continues Salvation would be!

I hurriedly went downstairs as Daddy was leaving the mansion.

"Dad, wait!" he turned to me and waited for me to come down.

"What's wrong, Lestari?"

"B-because, there's this event this week for authors and their books. My favorite author will be there, and I want to get my book signed. I'll just try to ask if you'll allow me—" I stopped talking as he spoke up.

"Who are the authors there? Let me see," I nervously took out my phone and went to the post where the event details were.

"There, Dad. I promise I'll come back. If you want, I can go with Kuya Alistair, or with your bodyguard," I tried everything I could think of to get permission. Kuya Alistair was just quietly listening to us.

"Who's the author you're talking about?" Ezonme wasn't there yet because he was a surprise guest.

"It's Continues Salvation," I saw his surprise at my words and he looked back at my phone to find what I mentioned. When he saw it and smiled, "You're really persistent,"

"Excuse me?" I asked, puzzled and nervous. Please let me go, please.

"No, Lestari—"

"But Daddy, just this once. Please let me go just this once, please—"

"I said no, Lestari!" I closed my eyes as he shouted at me. My tears were about to fall but I held them back, maybe he just needed a little more convincing.

"Daddy, please. Please let me go. I just really want to meet Continues Salva—" I screamed when he threw my phone, hitting the stairs. My eyes widened as I saw it shatter and crash to the floor.

"I said no! Damn i! Stay here at home! Why are you so stubborn? You weren't like this before, Lestari! Alistair! Bantayan mo itong alaga mo! She's not leaving, once I find out she's gone. I'll kill you!" My eyes widened at Daddy's words. He looked terrifying at Kuya Alistair, but the latter seemed unfazed by Daddy's threat. He just nodded at him and bowed again.

Daddy looked at me one last time before leaving. That's when I collapsed on the floor and cried and cried. Kuya Alistair quickly came over and comforted me.

Why is it so hard, why is it always like this? It hurts so much to lose my freedom.

Paano na si Ezra, nangako ako noon. Paaasahin ko nanaman siya. Naiinis na ako sa sarili ko, lagi ko na lang siyang hindi sinisipot. Sobrang sama ko, wala man lang akong nagawa. Paano ko rin sasabihin ang nangyari kung wala akong cellphone. Paano ako mag e-explain sa kaniya?

I didn't go to school that day. Nobody in the house had pity on me to lend me a phone. Daddy recently bought a dorm for Luther because he said he had a hard time traveling due to always being late, so I couldn't borrow from him. Kuya Alistair doesn't use a cellphone because he doesn't like it, and he regrets it now because he has nothing to lend me, he kept apologizing. The other maids were threatened by Daddy not to lend me anything. I begged them but they were too afraid of him.