The Uptight Brat (EDITING)

Chapter Two

Eca left me so she can line up before the registrar's office opens again. And since I don't want to go back to the mansion yet, nilakad ko na lang 'yong park na nakita ko this morning na malapit lang sa school.

It's peaceful, wala masyadong tao. I took my phone out to take photos dahil maganda ang view. It is wide, maraming bulaklak, and the grass is a beautiful shade of green. It is well-taken care of. Malinis din ang lugar in general, even its wishing fountain. it is not filled with moss and toads, there's no trace of mosquito larvae in it.

I wanted to take a photo of the garden arch in the middle but someone is standing in the middle who's also taking photos. He turned around and saw me waiting for him. A smile blooms across his face before he lets go of his camera and lets it hang on his torso.

"I could pose for free." He joked after noticing my camera, but I did not find it funny. I rolled and turned my back from him. Nawalan na ako ng gana, so I texted Mang Kiko to pick me up.

Luckily, he's near my location. Umupo na lang ulit ako sa bench while waiting for him. Hindi ko na lang din pinansin yung lalaki when he sat on the other bench. I did not think that he was following me, so I did not feel the need to be cautious around him. However, because I'm getting bored, I cannot stop myself from observing him. 

He is tall, he has broad shoulders that made a simple tee look fashionable. 

But then he turned in my direction, so I looked away. I find it creepy kung titignan ko pa siya ulit, kaya hindi na ako lumingon sa kanya. Also, Mang Kiko just sent me a text saying he's arrived. I immediately packed my things and briskly walked to where he parked, at no'ng na sa loob na ako ng kotse, I cannot help but glance at the guy one last time.

"How's your day?" Tanong agad ni Mommy pagkapasok ko nang bahay.

Great! Another small talk.

"It's fine. I'll be in my room, and please don't bother calling me for dinner. Thank you." I smiled at tumalikod na ako pero hinwakan niya ako sa may siko so I stopped my tracks.

"Anak, you didn't eat your breakfast, tapos di ka pa magdi-dinner. Ampayat payat mo oh, you have to eat." Umiling na lang ako at tinanggal ang kamay niya na nakahawak sa siko ko.

"Busog pa po ako. And I really don't eat that much." Nagsimula na akong maglakad papalayo sa kan'ya pero nagsalita na naman siya.

"But Thea- I mean, Shae -" 'di niya na natuloy ang sasabihin niya because Reese cuts her off. She just got back also, and this is the situation that welcomes her.

"Mom, just stop forcing her. She's not used to eating, why do keep on pushing it. Hayaan mo na." Hinalikan niya si Mommy sa cheeks at niyakap ito. I used the distraction to turn my back at pumunta na sa kwarto ko.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Today is Saturday and it's one in the afternoon at kaharap ko ang kapatid ko sa laptop and it's Friday at 2 am in the states.

"How are you? I miss you so much. How's dad? Tita Che? Where are they?" Tumawa lang ang kapatid ko kaya inirapan ko siya.

"Calm down, and one question at a time. We're doing good, and we miss you so much too. How about you? Are you fairing well?" His question made me pause and blink a few times. How am I? It's been three days since I arrived, and it is the first time na ia-assess ko ang sarili ko about my well-being including the weeks passed since my dad asked me na umuwi ng Pinas.

"Hey, you're spacing out." I only got back to my senses when Blance talked.

"I'm sorry. Uhm, well, I think I'm okay. Yeah! I'm fine, I'm good." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, indicating that he doesn't believe me.