As Time Passes By

Chapter five: Money! Luxuries!

I have jumped to the pool at the backyard trying to cool down my worries, but It was no use, even if it was still nine o'clock in the morning of the eleventh of December.
I just wanted to drown myself with my regrets in the pool. I messed up badly. Like, really, really bad.

I got out of the pool and dried myself up. I don't want to clean up the inside due to my wet feet.
Then, I got a call. It was my momma. It was rare for my mom to call me even at weekends. She is always busy running around with trips and business stuff that she can't even have contact with me or even take care of my siblings.
I answered the phone with my wet fingers, I could tell this device would need to be drowned with uncooked rice after I dared to touch it with wet hands.

*****

Me: Mom?

Mom: Catalina, kailangan tayo mag usap. Magkita tayo sa Starbucks ngayong tanghalian.

*****

I took multiple breaths until I finally decided to get ready for Mama's 'urgent' meet-up.
But to be honest, It was rare for me to feel my mother's affection. She and Papa spoiled me rotten just so they could tell me that they loved me. But seriously, that goal they wanted to reach on me never happened.

I arrived fifteen minutes early before her, I I doubted that she would forget about it. But then, three seconds later, she arrived at the door. Her hair slicked back to a bun, and she wore that one suit, which made her look like she wanted a heat stroke.

She sat on the table and then settled her bag aside, I was facing her dark eyeshadow and thick red lips. "Catalina," She started. Her voice was deeper than before.

I carefully studied her gaze, her face was covered with heavy makeup, and her hair was like forcefully slicked back. I rested my back to the chair as she spoke in her Filipino accent. "Ano itong narinig ko sa lola mo? May boyfriend ka na? Noelle, totoo ba ito? At hindi mo sinasabi ito sa akin at sa iyong ama?" She yapped. Clearly, she just heard of it from Nama. I crossed my arms and sighed with frustration.

"Mama, si Nama ang nagsabi na kailangan si Noah ma boyfriend ko. Pero Inay, Hindi ko masasabing hindi ko gusto na iyon ang mangyayari kasi si Nama yung nag sabi!" I explained. I hated the way Mama would look at me with concern when she also hates the idea.

She gently held my hand after a moment of silence. Her warm fingers ran onto my palm. "Catalina, hindi naman kasi na parang hindi gusto nang tatay mo at akin yung idea. Ang problema kasi, parang, you put a lot of effort when it comes to your grandmother. Kung hindi mo talagang gusto, pwede naman na babalik ka sa England." She advised me and slowly backed up her hand.
I didn't like being in England away from my family, my true home, my true country. I only stayed in England because I started my primary education there, but I wanted to stay in the country where my birthplace was set.

I shook my head. She knows I demanded to continue my education here in the Philippines, I want to feel how I could live like a Filipino. I don't want to be stuck with the English people in England. She knows that.

After the chit chat, Mama got another meeting again. She handed me her credit card and left me there. I called Layla and asked her to meet up here at Starbucks. Thankfully, she agreed.

After twenty minutes, she came. She got to her feet and stormed out of the car. Her hair was messy like she just woke up.
Layla sat in the table and sipped on MY coffee. "What the hell? Are you serious?!" I snapped. She finished the last bits of my coffee! What a jerk!

"Sorry, alright? I just really like matcha latte and I can't stop myself!" She shrugged.
I sighed, the scenario of me and Noah replaying in my head. It was driving me nuts.
"So? How were things with you and that Noah boy? Nama told me you're in a 'relationship' with him, " She added. I pouted as she mentioned Noah. His name is driving me crazy like HELL. I don't want Nama to know that—I failed to accept his proposal of me being his girlfriend! I don't want to end up in the streets!
"It didn't work out, OK? Please don't tell Nama!" I cried dramatically and begged like a homeless woman in the streets finding food.

Layla was shocked and frozen at the same time. Her bagel she ate fell out of her mouth, which is disgusting!
She got to her senses and pulled herself together. "Noelle Catalina Nichols! You don't want to end up like Shea, aren't you?!" She argued. For a second, I was damn confused. Who is Shea? Is she part of the family?
Layla saw my confusion, and she sighed. "Ok, let me get this straight. Shea is your first and oldest cousin, and also, Nama's first granddaughter. When she was eighteen and a half, Nama forced her to marry this guy, which she never knew. Then, Shea revealed that she is dating.. a girl." Layla snapped. I kept silent for a moment. Wow, just, wow. I can't pull this properly. "Then, Nama... she.. was filled with disgust and disappointment on her. Then, she threw Shea out of the circle of the family. Shea had nothing when she got kicked out. Nobody knew what happened to her, or even where she was." She sighed, lowering her head as she spoke.
This is what I am fearing for. Nama holds our wealth, even insurance.

Throughout my life, this is what I am fearing for. I don't want to be left empty-handed.

I have to do this. For my rights, and for my future...