Can't Get Me With Love (Lost Series #2)

CHAPTER 02

Lumaki ako na walang kinikilalang ama. Lumaki akong iniisip na hindi na ako mahal ng lalaking kasama ni Mama na buuhin ako—or rather, he never loved me to begin with. Parang tanga lang! Ginawa nila ako ni Mama na walang pagmamahal na sangkap! Ano 'yon, scripted! Simula noong araw na iniwan kami ni Papa, ibinaon ko na sa isip ko na wala na akong ama.

It was a difficult, lonely reality to accept. I felt like I was missing a piece of myself, a piece that I could never get back. It was like a puzzle with a missing piece, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't complete it.

It was hard. So hard to grow up without a father.

Palagi akong umiiyak noon kapag may family day sa school namin. Inggit na inggit ako sa mga kaklase kong may kasamang ama, may kompletong pamilya. Samantala ako... Wala na ngang maisasamang ama, hindi pa sumisipot si Mama tuwing family day.

I understood Mama. Alam ko kung bakit ayaw niyang pumupunta sa family day dahil maaalala niya lang si Papa—maiinggit lang siya sa mga buo at masasayang pamilya na naroon. It was a painful reminder of what she had lost, and I didn't want to see her hurt again.

Ilang taon rin ang lumipas bago namin tuluyang natanggap ni Mama na wala na si Papa sa buhay namin. Hindi na siya babalik sa amin. Hindi na niya kami mahal. Kung minahal niya nga ba kami.

It took a couple of years, but at least we were able to accept it. That's all we could do. We had to move on, to find a way to live without him.

"Pasensya ka na talaga." Hingi ko ulit ng paumanhin kay Lumiere. Kalalabas niya lang sa boy's comfort room. I felt really guilty for pouring my juice on his suit. Mukhang mahal pa naman ang suot niya. Mas lalo tuloy akong tinuboan ng hiya.

Paano kung pabayaran niya yung suot niya? Eh, saan naman ako kukuha ng pera para ipambayad! Eh, gipit na gipit na nga kami! Buti sana kung tumatanggap ng kiss itong lalaking 'to! Tangina!

"Don't say sorry, miss." Mahinahon niyang sambit. Kahit siguro ilang beses kong ulit-uliting pakinggan ang boses niya, napapa-take aback talaga ako nito. It was so smooth, so calming, so... captivating.

Lumiere looked at me, his eyes filled with a strange intensity. I couldn't help but feel a little flustered. I had never met anyone like him before. He was different. He was... intriguing.

"I'm really sorry," I said again, my voice barely a whisper. "I didn't mean to do that."

"It's okay," Lumiere said, his voice still calm and reassuring. "It's just a suit. I can get another one."

"But—" I started to protest, but Lumiere cut me off.

"Don't worry about it," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "I'm not going to let a little spilled juice ruin my day."

He smiled, a small, enigmatic smile that sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't help but feel a little drawn to him, a little curious about him.

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice still a little shaky. "Let me wash it at least.  I'll bring it back when it's clean."

Lumiere's eyes widened slightly, and a hint of amusement flickered across his face. "You're really going to wash my suit?" he asked, his voice laced with a playful tone.

I nodded, my cheeks flushing a little. "Yeah, I feel bad about it," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lumiere chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a tingle down my spine.  "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "You win. But I'm not sure your washing skills are up to par with my tailor."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but smile. "Oh, please," I said, my voice laced with playful sarcasm and I grab the suit from him.

Ang kapal ng mukha niyang questionin ang washing skills ko! Duh, I'm experts with it! Ako kaya naglalaba sa mga damit namin ni Mama tuwing weekends. Wala na kasi talagang time si Mama kasi puro lang trabaho ang inaatupag niya.

Wala rin naman kaming sapat na pera para magpa-laundry. May washing machine naman kami kaya less hassle rin. Paikot-ikot lang tsaka piga agad. Unlike sa mano-mano, gamit gamitan talaga kamay mo kakasukot sa damit.

Technologies, specifically appliances, have had a profound impact on our lives. While we can't deny the disadvantages—there are always downsides to every advancement—the positive aspects of technology are undeniable. It has significantly improved the quality of our lives in countless ways.