Embracing Tomorrow

Chapter 4

Suicide Attempt ‼️

CHAPTER FOUR

He laughed at my answer, "Okay, okay."

After that, wala nang nagsalita sa amin. I drank the water and remained silent. Awkward.

"Uhh.. anong oras na pala?" I asked to remove the awkwardness.

"It's 12 noon. Dito ka na lang mag-lunch."

"Huh? Hindi na, nakakahiya." I said shyly. This is so fucking awkward.

"I insist, and also... you're my patient, so I have to make sure you're okay," Atticus said with a small smile, trying to ease the tension.

I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. "Uh... okay. Sige na nga," I whispered, feeling weird but grateful at the same time. Lumabas kami sa kwarto niya and wow! Sosyal ng apartment!

He headed to the kitchen while I sat on the chair sa dining table.

"Okay lang ba nandito ako? Baka magalit girlfriend mo." I said shyly.

He laughed, "I don't have a girlfriend. Ako lang mag-isa dito." Pero ang laki ng apartment! Tumahimik na lang ako at pinagmasdan siya. Ganito din kami ni Dom noon, pinaglulutuan niya ako. I looked down, feeling a tear coming up. I shrugged my thoughts away and busied myself with my phone.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked, looking at his refrigerator.

"Uhh.. anything, hindi naman ako maarte." Lies, Valentina.

He smirked, "What about pasta?"

"Without cheese, please, hehe," I replied.

"Hindi pala maarte, ah," he said and grinned. Namula naman ako. Bakit pa ako nagsinungaling, hayst.

As he started prepping, the smell of garlic sizzling in olive oil filled the room. I stared at my phone, scrolling mindlessly, trying to keep my emotions in check. But something in me wants to say sorry to Dom and his girlfriend pero I'm scared. I don't know what hit me. Parang may sariling utak ang mga kamay ko. Oh fuck, new disorder nanaman ito. I'm really crazy.

The sound of boiling pasta filled the air. I couldn't help but sneak a glance at him again. Why is he being so nice? Is it because he's my psychiatrist? Or because nakakaawa ako?

"Tangina..." I cursed silently. I'm pathetic, kaya iniwan ako ni Dom.

After 30 mins, natapos din si Atticus. He gave me a plate and we started eating. The food was good and all but something in me wants to ask why he's doing this but I can't. I know there's a reason behind all of this. Hindi naman ganito si Dr. Salcador sa akin.

Matapos naming kumain, I offered to wash the dishes as a thank you, but hindi siya pumayag kaya I decided to leave. I thanked him a lot and left.

Nag-taxi na lang ako pauwi kasi I didn't bring my car sa party. Pagkauwi ko pa lang sa bahay, bumungad kaagad sa akin ang galit na mukha ni Mom and Dad. Bumalik kaagad sa akin ang sakit sa mga nalaman ko.

"ANO NANAMAN ANG GINAWA MO, VALENTINA?!" galit na sigaw ni Mom. Nagsumbong si Dom. "NAPAKADESPERADA MO TALAGA. NAKAKAHIYA KA MAGING ANAK--" hindi ko kinaya ang mga sinasabi ni Mom kaya sinagot ko na kaagad siya.

"ANONG ANAK?!" mangiyakngiyak kong tanong. Ang sakit, sobra. "ANONG ANAK MOM HA?!" My voice was trembling because of fear, sadness, and anger. "KAILAN NIYO PINARANDAM SAAKIN NA ANAK NIYO AKO HA?!" Dinuro ko si Mom. Mas lalo siyang nagalit kaya sinampal niya ako ng malakas at napahiga sa sahig.