Cheer Up, Captain

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Before I could even scroll through the blog, Finley's name appeared on my screen. He's calling. He normally calls me, but I knew that this wasn't a just because call. He probably read the blog. He probably agrees with it. I mean, didn't he call me materialistic yesterday? He said it wasn't exactly a bad thing... but others would disagree. They didn't like me like how Finley likes me.

I wanted to answer Finley's call, but I knew that the moment I hear his voice, the moment he asks me a question and I answer, that will be the moment that my voice will break.

And I didn't want to cry because of this.

Because they're wrong.

And even if they're right, only a fraction of it was right...

But I guess that that fraction was far more interesting than my truth. And they wouldn't care about my boring, uninteresting truth.

'On my way,' Finley messaged when his call got dropped. 'I know you read that stupid blog. Don't mind them.'

I stared at Finley's text.

I didn't know if my own brain was trying to sabotage me by nitpicking Finley's text... but didn't he say that they're wrong? Couldn't he have included that in his message?

Did he think they're right?

After all, he did call me materialistic...

I knew it.

I was too happy yesterday.

And I couldn't be too happy.

I was quietly waiting sa pagdating ni Finley sa condo. I told myself not to cry in front of him. I knew he's probably already worried about me... I didn't want to add to that.

My phone vibrated. There was an unregistered number calling me. I was hesitant to answer it kasi what if this was the person who posted that blog? I didn't want to talk to this person... I didn't even want to know what this person wants from me because I was sure that it can never be good.

'Anak, answer the phone.'

My eyes widened.

I didn't even want to second-guess myself nor wait for the number to call again. I called it myself.

"Maia."

My heart throbbed when I heard Mama's voice. It's been so long since I heard her voice! Ang dami kong gustong sabihin—mostly panunumbat because how dare they just leave me here? But I stopped myself. I didn't know if it was because I didn't want to argue or because I was already spent...

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Hindi pa rin namin mahanap iyong mga nanloko sa Daddy mo."

I remained silent because what was I supposed to say to that?

"Totoo ba iyong sinabi sa 'min?"

"What?"

"Boyfriend mo iyong anak ng mga Suarez?"

My lips parted. "How... did you even know that?" I asked. Wow. Ang layo naman ng reach ng blog na 'yon na tipong nakarating din sa parents ko na ni hindi ko nga alam kung nasaan sila!

"May nakapagsabi lang sa amin. Totoo ba 'yon?"

"Yeah," I replied because why should I even lie to my parents about this? But alam ba nila because they're still keeping tabs on me? So... they're still worried about me, right? They didn't just completely abandon me out of the blue?