Stray Heart (SC, #5)

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

Plan

My stomach growled so freaking loud. 

At nine in the morning, I only had a black coffee without sugar because I ran out of stock. The one liter of water I bought in 7 eleven yesterday is already emptied. I put my chin over my knees and hugged it tightly.

I scanned the bare room with just the bed I am sitting at, a small kitchen island without supplies, the tiny bathroom that my tall and skinny body could fit, and a  small window.

Everything in this space is little. It is just that...it looked huge because it doesn't have any furniture or equipment.

It's a bit sad. I don't know why I have this feeling.

Or, because I am the only one staying here.

Without Daddy. Without anyone.

I sighed tremendously as my eyes burned. I let out the air restricting inside my lungs and moved on quickly. I need to push aside the miserable thoughts right now. Walang maitutulong sa akin iyon.

I should.

It's been a month since I ran away from home-from California. With savings that could last for a month. I will be broke sooner or later.

As long I am living I won't ever forget the fantastic lies I told to Dad because I am sick of living of my life in that space. I couldn't last a moment with my step Mom so I chose to give her a damn. I ran away far from her and also from Dad implicitly. It might be selfish and being immature but this is what I want.

Honestly speaking, I don't even know how could I pay for the rent next month. That's the first problem I should resolve. To be able to pay for the rent, I need jobs. Multiple jobs because even how reckless my actions, I've got a plan.

A plain bullshit plan.

I told my father that I have plenty of money. That someone gave me a part time job in Manila. Someone helped me getting into the university. And many more lies just to convince Dad that I'll be good...alone and independently.

I had to bite my tongue and masked the lies with my reassuring features. I didn't accept my Dad's money because of pride. I can't even forget the pride on his face, seeing his daughter flying on her own.

Little did he know, umalis lang akong California para umiwas. The lies still pained my chest. The guilt stabbing my heart furiously.

But the hell with it, Mara! Panindigan mo 'tong ginawa mo! You think, you can survive this world without them, prove them!

Huminga ako ng malalim upang makapag-isip nang puwedeng gawin.

Maybe, I could apply as a server in a fast food chain? All the documents needed I already prepared those. Maybe, I could apply in a club as server or barista since I did part-time job in Cali. I just graduated in high school. And probably, it would be easy to apply on those jobs because I have experience.

Right!

That's right!

Ganito naman sa Pilipinas, 'di ba? Hindi mahirap makahanap ng trabaho?

I snatched my phone and searched rapidly. Kagat-kagat 'ko ang labi nang sumali sa group sa Facebook for those jobs. 

Mamaya siguro pwede akong pumunta sa mga fast-food chain na 'to para ipasa ang resume 'ko!

Speaking of resume, hindi 'ko na pwedeng gamitin 'yong ginamit 'ko sa California. I should amend my resume with the experience I've gained. Naitakas 'ko pa ang Macbook Air 'ko. I'm not guilty or what, but I've got this laptop with my own money. With my own earnings. Walang siyang maiisumbat.