Loving Her Ways

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 | Friend

I didn't have a good night's sleep; it was nothing new. The truth was, I couldn't sleep at all. This has often happened, tossing and turning, thoughts racing through my mind like a never-ending parade. My mind seems to have its own sense when shutting off at night.

Despite my constant battle with undiagnosed insomnia, it always amazes me how I manage to push through and carry on with my day as if nothing is wrong. It's like my body just knows it has to keep going, regardless of how little rest I've gotten.

Yes, there could be times when the fatigue hits me hard, and I struggle to stay focused or alert, but for the most part, I've learned to adapt and cope with my lack of sleep. I already accepted that this problem would never go right.

I finally jumped out of bed when I realized how hopeless I'd been the entire night. I took my time preparing the clothes I chose to wear today. Then, I went in front of my human-sized mirror. I brushed my hair several times. Pinanood ko ang sarili kahit paulit-ulit lang naman ang aking ginagawa. The sun had risen, and I could hear the maids doing their usual chores. As I expected, one of the maids knocked on my room's door.

"Miss, handa na po ang almusal. Nasa baba na po sina Ma'am at Sir."

"Sige po. Bababa na lang po ako mamaya."

"Gusto po sana nilang sumabay po kayo—"

"I'll take a bath first, pakisabi," I said as an excuse.

I silently wished that the maid would now surrender and just leave me alone. Hindi ko na alam kung ano pa ang gagamitin kong palusot kung pipilitin pa niya ako.

"S-Sige po," aniya kahit may pag-aalinlangan.

Alam ko namang hindi iyon bibilhin nina Tito at Tita—I prefer them calling that since they weren't my real parents—dahil hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataong hindi ako sumabay sa umagahan. Mabuti na ring walang bumalik na maid para katukin ako at piliting bumaba.

Every day feels like the same monotonous routine, with nothing new or exciting to break the cycle. It's as if life has decided to hit pause, and I'm stuck in a never-ending loop of boredom and repetition. There's no spark of anticipation, no sense of adventure waiting just around the corner—just the same old drudgery day in and day out.

Pinalipas ko ang oras nang walang ginawa. Naka-upo lamang ako sa gitna ng aking kama at nakatulala sa sahig. Wala naman akong iniisip pero para bang laging mabigat ang pakiramdam ko tuwing mag-isa—na kahit wala namang bumabagabag ay parang hindi ako komportable sa aking sarili.

A loud knock on my window made me jump out of sudden shock. It was only then that I knew who it was. I cursed into the air and lazily stood up.

"You never changed!" Salubong ko kay Gidon.

"Sshh," his finger against his lips. "They don't know I'm here."

Agad siyang pumasok sa aking kwarto. Tumayo naman ako upang isarado at i-lock ang pinto.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"I'm so tired of my recent mission," reklamo niyang hindi naman konektado sa aking tanong.

"So? I'm tired, too, of my life, to be exact."

He stared at me. I meant what I said, though. No one spoke from the two of us for the past seconds. I took a deep breath and sat down on the mini couch of my bedroom, and Armageddon did the same.

"How's Eros as a specialist?"

"He's annoying."

He shifted on his seat and brushed his hair with his fingers. "I heard from him that his brother Lukan, your ex-friend, is approaching Mia."