Obnoxious Oxygen

Chapter Thirty Three

"Mom, I swear. He doesn't look like it but Oxygen is nice. You don't need to be rude on him, he get it that you don't like him. There's no need to show it." I told her that when I headed back to the house after sending Ethan and Oxygen out.

She turned to me with a scowl on her face. "I don't like that you're befriending that guy, you should focus on Ethan, Gabby."

I swear, mom is getting on my last nerve. It's been two weeks since Ethan and Oxygen started their constant visit to see how the reconstruction of our garden is going. Mom is making it an excuse just so Ethan will show up here, she knew he wouldn't say no. And I couldn't complain, Ethan is becoming an angel in disguise by always bringing Oxygen with him. Mom can't do anything on that, she wouldn't be rude to Ethan by asking him not to bring Oxygen the next time he pays a visit or else, he'll completely stop coming and surely, his parents will know about it.

"And I don't get it. What's wrong with Oxygen?" I let out a frustrated sigh. "Why can I be with Ethan and not with him?"

Mom stared at me for a second like I said the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard today. Then she rolled her eyes. "What I'm saying is, if you hang out with chickens, you're going to cluck. And if you hang out with eagles, you're going to fly."

That's it. She got me pissed. Enduring how poorly she treats Oxygen every time he's here had been so hard for me, she barely give him the time of the day and when she does, it was only to embarrass him in front of Ethan and I or the help or everyone around. I didn't hear any complain from Oxygen. Although I know it hurts him. I'm ashamed of my mom. He didn't deserve that. Not any of it.

"I didn't know you to be so judgmental. Shading someone you know nothing about, so easily is something I've never expected from you, mom." Mahina kong sabi.

"I am your mother, Gabbana. I know what's good for you. He's no good. In any way. I know you, so trust me." She said it like she really does.

I looked at her and shook my head weakly. "Then maybe you don't really know me at all."

Before she could say anything that would make me mad at her more than I am now, I've turned my back and started leaving. This wasn't what I've signed up for. I reminded myself again why I'm staying with my mom, it's because she needs me. She's upset and her whole world is falling apart. But I can't let her ruin mine. I'm okay with Oxygen. For once in my life I've felt so important to someone that I would never doubt my worth. I know that's something she wouldn't understand because she's not me.

The next morning, I woke up feeling completely messed up. My stomach is aching badly, maybe because I've cried last night right after Oxygen get off the phone. Well that's something I wasn't able to control. I'd been so frustrated watching my mom mistreating my boyfriend who's innocent for her rudeness. I'm upset that I can't let that out. Every time I bring it up, Oxygen will always say he's fine and that he's getting used to it. He shouldn't! If you won't correct people when they upset you, they wouldn't know how to treat you right. If you come to think of it, mom wouldn't mind if she's being too harsh towards Oxygen. He's nothing to her. But he's everything to me that's why I'm making it a big deal.

And now that my tummy is grumpy, I feel the need to call Oxygen. Maybe our baby felt bad, too. I'm terribly sorry for how his grandmamma acted. It's way too childish.

I reached for my phone and dialed Oxygen's number. Few rings and he's on the other line.

"Baby, what wakes you up this early? Natutulog ka pa dapat." The gentleness of his voice made me feel a little better but no kidding, I'm really terrible. He might've heard me groan, he instantly worried. "Hey, you okay in there?"