A Better World With You

Chapter 36

The dinner we have today is cold. I mean the food is good, who wouldn't love a roasted chicken with a variety of sauces. It would also be more delicious if we add some Honey roast potatoes and damn, that's another perfect combo for dinner with the family. However, no matter how appetizing, delectable, and mouthwatering the food is, I cannot bring myself to eat more because the atmosphere is cold. In fact, you can never feel the warmth like any usual family has. Being with the family is not always warm, but often is something that is very alarming and it could ruin more.

Papa is trying his best. He was trying to start a conversation, asked everyone some questions, and stated some daddy jokes that he thought we would laugh, but no and yet, everyone's answer is just short, simple. Pretty boring to engage to that right? I want to help papa from this awkwardness and shivering sensation that my family brings, but who am I to effectively help when no one pays respect except from Ate Lori...and sometimes Ate Regine. What power can we hold if there is something from mama that makes us vulnerable and the youngest one takes advantage of it because mama does not prioritize her though she could use it as her advantage.

How silent, but chaotic is this family. I want to do something, I want to save everyone from misery, but where should I start? And how could I start when I have no idea and there is no single clue on when to begin. Nakakapagod din at kadalasan, parang gusto ko na lang makikain sa bahay ng mga pinsan ko kasi mukhang masaya sa kanila. Ang saya rin siguro kumain kapag ganoon, 'yung tipong makakabulos ka pa sa saya.

Later on, the dinner ended and yet, we ended it also in silence as if everyone are not interested, in the fact that they are at home. After dinner, Julietta proceeded at her room while looking at her phone. Ate Regine goes to our balcony while also looking at her phone. Our parents are also about to leave the table and I am thinking if I should come up something to lessen the coldness, but I just then realized that there are too many things on my table right now.

Right, I spent the whole afternoon dating Justine and one single homework is not yet done. So this is the life of a person who's liking someone already. It's a bit distracting and I have to get my priorities straight so just like them, I decided to walk towards my bedroom and get things done. Looks like I have to be awake for the whole night.

New experience, new consequences. Nevertheless, I am into it.

*

"Nicole, ang awa ko naman sa iyo. Halos mamatak-matak na 'yang ulo mo sa laptop mo." Concerned na pagkakasabi sa akin ni Jeanne at na-touch naman ako nang maramdaman ang pagsuporta ng kamay nito sa aking ulo. Nagising naman din ako at kinusot ang aking mata. Hindi ko aakalain na pagkusot kong iyon ay may nakuha pa akong muta.

Tulad nga ng sabi ko, pinagpuyatan ko talaga kagabi at naipasa ko na naman. May kaunting errors lang na pinababago pero kaya na naman dahil ginagawa ko na siya ngayon sa loob ng room ng student government. Nilalaan ko na talaga ang oras na ito para sa acads ko, since kakaunti naman sa ngayon ang ginagawa ng student government.

"Umuwi ka na lang kaya muna, Nicole, tapos magpahinga. Iyan din naman kasi ang problema sa iyo e. Sige ka ng sige hindi mo naman maalagaan ng ayos sarili mo." Saway naman sa akin ni Paulo pero binalewala ko iyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtingin ng oras. Sabi kasi ni Ate Davis e magsisimula na kami ng pagpaplano para sa contest at kung maaari ay masimulan na rin sana.

Pagkatingin ko naman ng oras ay nakita kong alas tres na ng hapon. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko at nahimasmasan. Sinara ko bigla ang aking laptop, niligpit ang gamit at maayos na nilagay sa bag. Pansin ko ang naguguluhan na ekspresyon ng mga kasama ko at binabaan pa ako ng salamin ni Kuya Harvey.