Fima:
I'm here at the living room na Cass.
Agad akong nagmadaling magsuot ng heels at kinuha ang sling bag sa kama na kanina ko pa hinanda. I walked downstairs and immediately made my way to the living room. But before I could even proceed, Mom called me in a strict tone.
"Where are you going, Cassy?" I faced her and then sighed.
"We'll be going out. Fima's with me. I gotta go." she walked until it's just one meter away from me and then suddenly hold my arms.
"What the hell did you do kanina?! You embarrassed me in front of my friends and colleagues! Is that how your stepmother told you to do,huh?" nanliit ang mata ako sa kaniya. Is she serious? I pulled back my hands off her.
"Excuse me, Mama? Mallona to be honest isn't like what you are thinking. Kaya ako umalis dahil naiinsulto na ako sayo! You are planning again for me, for my own marriage! For godsaken thing, Mama! Umuwi ako dito to take care of you and then you'll immediately do that? Konting respeto naman sana ang itira mo kahit para sakin nalang!" she slapped me that caused me to stop.
"I was just thinking for your future, Cassy Auriel!"
"And do you think, letting me marry someone who I doesn't know can secure me a good future! Wow, Mama! Fantastic, kaya pala napakaganda at buti ng pagsasama niyo ni Papa!" I sarcastically said. Napatiim-bagang siya at halatang galit na galit na.
I marched to Fima which is I found standing just behind me na pala. Nakakunot-noo na rin ang mukha.
"Tita, let her be with me. She needs someone to breath out her feelings, mas mabuti kung umalis po muna kami." I didn't hear a reply from Mama, I'm not facing her already.
"Gosh, Fie! Nakakainsulto yun para sa akin! You know how much I hate being paired with anybody! Yung kay Terrell nga ni hindi agad ako makapayag kahit magkaibigan kami at nagawa ko lang sa trabaho, tapos siya.." umiling nalang ako at ininom sa wine glass.
"Bitch! Hindi porket may problema ka iinom ka na nang marami ah! Tama na yan, nakalimang tungga ka na." pagsuway sa akin ni Fima at kinuha ang wine glass sa kamay ko na may lamang red label. Hinayaan ko nalang siya sa ginawa niya.
Inayos niya na ang table at kinuha ang isang bote ng wine pabalik sa cupboard, bumalik siya at ang wineglass naman ang dinala niya sa sink.
"Don't mind Tita Rina, Cass. Everything will be fine, maybe not now, but sooner or later, it'll be. Gusto mo bang dito muna matulog? May isa pang kwarto tong condo ko. Ano?" I lazily nod at her.
Saktong pagtayo niya ay ang pagring ng phone niya sa kamay kaya tinignan niya. She then now turned her gaze at me which I already know the meaning. Umiwas alo ng tingin.
"Hello Tita.. Yes, po.. Dito na muna siya matutulog, Tita... she's tired of your tactics, Tita Rina... I understand, pero please give her a break... opo. Bye." at binaba niya na ang phone niya. I really believe Fima for being a strong person, kahit si Mama hindi umuubra sa kaniya.
"She asked if we're still together at kung bakit hindi ka pa raw umuuwi." I rolled my eyes.
"May gana talaga siyang magtanong, Fie." I leaned back. "Akala mo naman may pakialam pa siya eh kung makapamigay nga sa anak niya para ikasal sa kung sino eh ang bilis niya. Besides, ano naman king hindi pa ako umuwi? I'm already a lady and not a lil' girl anymore!"
"Relax, Cass. Sige na, pahinga ka na muna doon sa kwarto. Sunduin ko lang muna si Franchesca sa school niya dahil as usual, nabully na naman. At nagpabully pa. Jusko!"
I chuckled. "Kung gaano ka kalakas ng loob, ganun naman kahina si Chesca ipaglaban ang sarili niya. Inangkin mo na lahat ng katapangan, bigyan mo naman si Chesca."
