Van Mentius Lim: My Pain (Completed)

Chapter 1: Mentius

"Knock knock, Angel? Everything okay?" Mom asked as she scanned my room.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. I was at my gray colored carpet. Sitting down there while closing my eyes and feeling the atmosphere of my room here in Bohol, Philippines. I finished college here and my Mom had just got back from Australia. She was working for years in there. Hindi naman siya tumigil sa pag-support sa akin emotionally and financially kahit na nasa abroad siya. Working as a Nurse. I actually do understand my mother being busy despite me being away from her. She raised me alone as a single mother. My dad, according to her already died when I was 2. But mother isn't really into relationship which I wish she was. I want her to be happy at least.

Yes, I was living in the Philippines with my grandparents. Mom's parents. Lolo and Lola totally take good care of me. I graduated as an IT student and for now I have no plans to work yet. Maybe I just needed a little bit of a break.

I'm still at my 23rd year here on earth. I can tell that I'm kind of a deep person since I observe a lot and doesn't really voice out my opinion to anybody.

I survived college without bestfriends or barkadas. But I didn't hate my classmates. I just love keeping distance since I... I don't know— alright with suffering in silence.

"Lolo and Lola, cant they go with us in Australia?" I said.

My mother smiled. I can see it in her eyes na gusto niya.

"Oh honey, Angel, anak— I would love to but kilala mo na sila mama at papa. They don't like travelling."

I nodded. Right.

They're happy at 90.

"Say goodbye to them. I'll wait in the car, okay?" Sabi ni mama and left me sa room ko.

Everything is now empty.
Everything is restarting.

I sighed.

After I had a long talk with my grandparents. It was totally so hard to say goodbye with the people you are with growing up. I mean, they shaped me as I am today.

My life as an IT students was what they are against with kasi daw nasisira lang daw yung condition ng mga mata ko since I always drowned myself in front of a computer screen. I understand them. It is totally okay for them to complain about it. I don't mind.

Time has passed.

Nakarating na kami sa Australia. Mom's house was big enough for the two of us. Actually, it was beautiful. It is a peaceful place. I think it will be great.

I smiled. 

"Hey, Angel... I toasted some bread here and Nutella is definitely right at the cabin." Sabi ni Mom na nag-aayos sa sarili niya.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

Like kakarating palang namin kaninang umaga and now she is so busy na.

"I gotta go to work." Sabi ni Mom. She looks excited and not exhausted.

Maybe she loves her work. I smiled for her.

"Okay, Mom. Ingat ka." Sabi ko nalang.

Napansin kong maraming pagkain sa diner table.

"Those plastic right over there, you could give it to our neighbor." Sabi ni Mom. "Actually, it's a pasalubong anak from Philippines. Tell them also na anak kita." She said again and kissed me sa forehead.

"Mom, which house?"

"Our neighbors are surprisingly friendly honey. Give it to the one beside us and to the front. Palagi kasi silang namimigay ng food for me. I just want to return the favor. That's five okay? Bye." And then she left.

I sighed.

Wala naman akong choice kundi ang maging friendly sa neighbors ko ano? Uhm. Right. I'm just really bad at interacting with someone. Should I just hit the doorbell and put the food at the doorstep and leave? Is it okay?

Five houses?

I'll get it done in 5 minutes.

I took one toasted bread and took the five pasalubong with me. God, hindi pa nga ako nakapag-unpack sa mga gamit ko sa kwarto ko. Plus this boxes na dala namin from Pinas bothers me too much kasi ayaw ko nang magulo sa paningin. 

Lumabas na ako sa bahay and I headed to the house beside our house first.

I knocked and say, "Hi. I'm Miss. Amor Horfelia's daughter and she told me to give this to you. It's from Philippines."

I got a lot of slang 'Thank you' in return.

Okay, one house left.

Mabilis akong naglakad at dahil gusto ko nang matapos 'to. Malapit na kasi mag-sunset, I didn't want to settle my stuff at the late hour.

I knocked.

And knocked.

And knocked again.

I hit the doorbell once or twice.

Okay.

Maybe it's a wrong house.

Tumalikod na ako when I heard the door swung open.

Humarap ako ulit and I saw a guy looking at me. He was still by the door. And I was just looking at him for about 3 seconds.

I blinked twice and lifted the plastic bag that I am carrying.

"Hi. Uhm, it's Miss Amor Horfelia's daughter. Your neighbor. She would like to give some food from Ph. And Uhm, here—"

Weird.

He doesn't smile at all.

Para kasing hindi niya naman tatanggapin—

He suddenly smiled.

"Thank you, Miss?"

"Uhm, Angel..."

He smiled again. Parang kasing-edad ko lang rin naman siya.

"I'm Varys— Oh hey Mentius, I got something for you."

Napatingin ako sa lalaking kakadaan lang galing sa likoran ko.

His shoulders were wide and very firm. He was in his sleeveless shirt and a jogging pants. His earphones were so loud I could here Jeremy Zucker's song playing. And his black sunglasses made his nose bridge more appealing.

"Wala akong gana." Sabi nung lalaki at saka nilampasan lang si Varys.

He smiled at me again.

"I'm sorry about him. He is my cousin. Hindi niya alam na pinoy ka. Akala niya di mo maiintindihan ang sinabi niya."

I smiled.

"No, it's fine. I should go. Thanks." Sabi ko at saka nagsimula nang naglakad pabalik sa bahay.

What was his name again?

Mentius.