Unexpected Sparks

Chapter 9: Silent Battles, Secret Moments

It was a calm afternoon when Anastasia received a call from her mom, asking her to come over for a conversation. Nervous but determined, she agreed and soon found herself sitting across from her mother at their dining table. The atmosphere was tense.

"We need to talk about you and your new friend, Bellatrix," her mom began, her tone serious. "We’ve noticed na palagi kayong magkasama, and she acts like a boy."

Anastasia tensed up but tried to remain calm. "Mom, she's just my friend. We've been spending time together because she’s helping me with schoolwork and my defense," Anastasia explained, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her mom looked unconvinced. "Anak, we’ve seen how she is. I know you might not realize it, but people will talk. It’s not right for two girls to be that close, and it’s even worse if you’re in a relationship. Same-gender relationships are not what God intended."

Anastasia felt her heart sink at her mom’s words, but she was determined to defend Bellatrix. "Mom, Bellatrix is a good person. You can’t judge her like that just because she acts differently or because we spend time together. We're only friends, I promise."

Her mom frowned, shaking her head. "Friends? Friends don't act that way. I’ve seen how she looks at you, Anastasia. I’ve heard people talking, and it’s not good. You need to be careful with how this relationship is being perceived. We raised you with proper values. This isn’t what we taught you."

"Mom, please," Anastasia said, her voice shaking slightly. "Walang masama sa pagiging close namin. She’s kind, supportive, and she’s helped me so much. Bellatrix has done nothing wrong. Just because she’s different, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with her."

Her mother’s voice grew more stern. "But you know this is not what our faith teaches. You should be with someone who can give you a proper family, someone of the opposite gender. Same-gender relationships go against everything we believe in. What if people find out? What if they start questioning you, Anastasia?"

Anastasia’s heart raced, and she felt the weight of both protecting Bellatrix and denying the truth about their relationship. "Mom, please, stop thinking that way. Bellatrix is just my friend. Wala kaming relasyon. You have to trust me on this."

Her mom sighed, clearly frustrated. "I just want what’s best for you, anak. I don’t want you to make choices that will hurt your future. Think about this seriously."

Anastasia clenched her fists under the table, fighting back the urge to shout. "I am thinking seriously, Mom. But you're wrong about her. She’s not a bad influence on me. She’s not trying to harm me or my future. We’re only friends."

There was a long, tense silence as her mom looked at her, clearly unsure of what to say next. "I hope you’re telling the truth, Anastasia. You know what we expect from you. Please think about it."

Anastasia nodded quietly, but inside, her emotions were swirling. She felt torn between her family’s expectations and her love for Bellatrix, but for now, she could only say, "I understand, Mom. I’ll think about it."

With that, the conversation ended, but Anastasia knew this was far from over. She left feeling drained, her heart heavy with the weight of what had just been said, but determined to protect her relationship with Bellatrix, even if it meant keeping it hidden.

Anastasia sat in her room, staring blankly at the wall. The conversation with her mom kept replaying in her mind, her heart heavy with guilt, fear, and frustration. She hadn’t told Bellatrix everything yet, and the weight of the secret was becoming unbearable.

At school, Lara and Sofia immediately noticed that something was off. Anastasia wasn’t her usual self. She barely spoke, wasn’t focused in class, and seemed lost in thought.