Game Plan (COMPLETE)

35

I don't even remember hearing the door open. I was inside my room, just finished my class and some of my homework, when I heard a voice from downstairs.

That is definitely not dad.

Nobody calls me Arriane anymore. 

I was halfway down the stairs when I got a view of who it was.

She hadn't changed much—not in the ways that mattered. Tall, poised, still dressed like she had somewhere better to be. Her frame was slim, almost too slim, like stress wore her down over the years. And her face—slightly sharper features, full lips painted in a muted color, expression almost blank.

I hated how our faces almost looked alike.

My chest tightened. Hindi ko na maigalaw pa ang mga paa ko para tuluyang bumaba. She saw me standing on the stairs—and she had the audacity to smile.

Parang nagliyab ang balat ko. I could feel the heat crawling up my neck, my arms, settling in my fists. It wasn't just anger—it was rage. The kind that simmers too long and finally finds a crack to pour through.

"Anak," she said, like the word still meant anything.

I saw red.

My feet finally found the strength to take the rest of the stairs. I stopped just a few feet from her—this time, we were facing each other.

Face to face... and I hated how calm she looked while I feel like I'll explode any second.

"What the hell are you doing here?" My voice came out hoarse, louder than I expected. "Sino'ng nagsabi sa'yong pwede kang bumalik dito?"

She took a step forward.

"Putangina, diyan ka lang!"

"I just wanted to talk—"

"No!" I snapped. "You don't get to want anything from me. Umalis ka! You left and never looked back! Wala kang karapatan magpakita ulit!"

I jabbed my finger hard at her with every word I spat. I was unapologetic. She didn't deserve any remorse.

"Hindi mo nakita si Dad! Wala ka dito para makita kung paano siya nawala! I had to do the responsibilities that was supposed to be fucking yours just so he could be my dad again!"

I could feel the way my body shook. Not from fear—but from how much I wanted to scream, to break something, to make her feel even a fraction of what I carried for years.

"Arriane, please—" she attempted to take a step closer.

"Sabing diyan ka lang!" I shouted, and a sob tore out of my throat.

I was... crying. I only felt the tears falling down my cheeks and onto my hands. My eyes automatically shut, and my hands went to my head. I felt it throbbing, painful.

I heard the door open behind her. Then footsteps. Then an arm wrapped around me. He's not supposed to see me like this, but I didn't resist—I know exactly who this is.

My head is now buried in his chest. He blocked my view—I couldn't see a shadow of Jiana Henderson anymore. It was like he was shielding me... from the pain that the woman can bring me.

I felt him turn his head to face her. And then he spoke—his voice was low and calm, but extremely firm. "With all due respect po... I think you should leave."

"And who are you to tell me that?"

"I'm someone who's seen enough to know she doesn't deserve this right now."

I felt his hand... it was gently caressing my head. Then combing my hair. He was trying his best to relax me.

"So I'm kindly asking you to leave. If you need something from Mr. Viste, you can come back tomorrow po."