Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)

Chapter 9

The following day, as expected, I developed a fever. Aling Nita scolded me after learning the reason.

Knowing how fragile my health was, she was deeply upset. Struggling to get out of bed due to the heaviness in my body, I had to rely on her to bring me food. She chose not to inform Mommy and Daddy about my illness, which led me to ignore their calls.

Instead of hearing reassuring words like "Get well soon," "Eat before taking your medicine," or "Rest today and skip school tomorrow if needed," all I received were: "You know your body is frail, yet you still showered in the rain," "Recover quickly—you have to go to school tomorrow," and "You're grounded."

Despite feeling unwell, I forced myself to attend school the next day. I nearly arrived late but luckily made it to the gate alongside Sir Zade, who seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Good morning po, Sir," magalang kong sinabi bago bahagyang tumango.

"Why are you so late? You usually arrive early, don’t you?" he asked.

I managed a faint smile. "I have a fever, Sir. But I can manage. It’s better than being absent—Mommy and Daddy would be upset," I replied.

He frowned. "Are your grades more important than your health?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. I nodded; honesty felt necessary.

"Alright," he sighed. "If your fever gets worse, go to the clinic immediately. Don’t wait until you collapse."

"Bakit po, Sir? Malaki po bang abala?" tanong ko.

He was momentarily taken aback by my question before continuing to walk toward the school, prompting me to follow.

"That’s not what I meant. Don’t focus solely on academics. Your grades won’t matter if your heart stops beating," he said.

I sighed. "Buti ka pa, Sir, you care about my health. I wish you were my father—maybe then I wouldn’t be under so much pressure," I said.

"Do you feel pressured by your family? Are they the ones pushing you to study so hard?" he asked.

I nodded. "Why don’t you tell them how you really feel? It’s clear that you don’t enjoy studying all the time."

Muli akong bumuntong hininga. "Hindi naman 'yon ganoon kadali, Sir. Kung iisipin madali lang sabihin 'yung mga nararamdaman ko, pero kapag sasabihin ko na, umuurong 'yung dila ko," sambit ko.

"Ewan ko po ba. Parang kapag nag-open up ako magagalit lang sila tapos i-invalidate nila 'yung nararamdaman ko. Baka isipin nila na nag-iinarte lang ako."

"Si Ate Grapes ko po kasi noon nag-open up. Kasi ayaw niyang mag-politiko, nung sinabi niyang ayaw niya ay napagalitan lang siya. Tapos nung kumuha siya ng ibang course, katakot-takot na sermon ang inabot niya kina Mommy at Daddy. Sinaktan pa siya ng pisikal."

"So, this is me—I grew up fearing them because I witnessed how they mistreated my sister and brother. I don’t want to end up like my siblings, so I just follow everything they want," I confided.

"Even if it means marrying someone you don’t love?" he asked.

I furrowed my brows, then let out a small chuckle. "Mommy and Daddy aren’t like that. They wouldn’t force me to marry someone I don’t love…" I clarified.

Silence fell between us as we entered the room.

Everything appeared ordinary; I overheard disparaging remarks, but that was the extent of it. Perhaps they pity me, it's evident that I am unwell.

Maawa naman sila sa akin kahit ngayon lang. Baka bigla akong umiyak kapag na-bully ako. 

In the afternoon, I headed to the side of our strand building to throw out some garbage. Sovie didn’t come with me; she had been invited to Steffi and Flint’s home.