Archetype

Chapter 34: PAST

Bea's POV

"Welcome to another responsibility!" I said it out loud to no one, maybe for myself to be aware.

Christmas holiday's over.

Parang ang bilis. Parang nililipad lang ang oras.

I run rush going down the stairs, hearing the loud car horn outside.

Dad got no patience. Every seconds count.

"Bei, let's go." Kuya helped me with my luggage. Daddy helped mom with hers.

We'll go to Thailand for our annual training there. We'll stay there for two weeks. Mom will go with us. Well, she always does.

She's so close with my teammates. She's like a mom slash barkada to everyone. But I know she's doing that just to keep her eyes on me.

I sigh as I enter the car. Ganito ko ba talaga kamahal ang volleyball? Ang Ateneo?

If I were just a normal student, my vacation will be extended. Hindi magiging ganito na lagi nalang may responsibility sa likod ko.

Sighing once again, I stare on my phone screen.

And there! I know the answer. Picture of me and my teammates on the lockscreen was revealed.

They keep me going despite this feeling of stagnation.

She helps me move forward.

We checked in at Siam Kempinski Hotel.

Last year's Thailand experience were different. Now's too quiet, too formal.

I don't know if I'm just looking for ate Ella and Ana's energies or maybe because it's just our first day here and the rookies, who are usually loud and makulit, are still adjusting.

"Jhow!" I called her when she's passing by. She looked at me for like a second, but continue walking as if she didn't see me.

"Bea, we're roommates." Jia started pulling me and showed me the card.

I saw my mom staring at me so wala akong magawa kundi ang magpahila.

"Galit siya?" I asked Jia. She's now unpacking her things while I decided to lay down. She paused to look at me. "She ignored me. Tingin mo galit siya?"

Jia smirks. A smirks that I only saw now, nakakatakot. "Sa tingin mo matutuwa siya? Pagkatapos ka niyang tulungan. Pagkatapos niyang magkandarapa para ihatid sayo yung laptop o yung kahit na anong kailangan mo. Isang buwan siyang nagpakabusy para sa event mo. Tapos ngayon, ngayon na tapos na, bigla-bigla ka nalang sa kanyang hindi magpaparamdam. Ano sa tingin mo ang mararamdaman niya? Are you stupid?"

By Jia's look, I know she's mad.

"I'm lost, Ju. I need to do it."

This time, Jia throws some or her clothes. "Ito na naman?! Ito na naman ba tayo sa excuse na 'I need to do it'? When will you learn, Beatriz?" Frustration is all over her face.

It's like a de javu when she convinced me to leave Jhoana alone. Pero ang kaibihan, now she's mad, furious.

I knew it. Jhoana will be the reason if ever we will fight. Because usually, one will compromise. But now, I don't think may isa samin ang gagawin yun.

"Bea naman! Pwede ba for once, yung iba naman ang isipin mo? Because honestly? You're like using everyone just to satisfy your parents. Hindi kami gamit, hindi si Jho gamit na pagkatapos mong gamitin, iiwan mo nalang kapag hindi ko na kailangan."