Gleaming Part

....13

Chapter 13

It's already been 2 days and I still have a mark in my face. My busted lip is healing but the side of my lip is still reddish. Maybe a concealer will help me with it, I was busy covering the side of my lip when I heard a knock. Bigla akong kinabahan. For the past 2 days, hindi ako lumabas ng kwarto ko o hindi talaga ako nagpapakita sakaniya. Then I remembered, I'm technology deprived and I would be needing them for school. I need my laptop back. 

Lumabas ako sa bathroom para ipagbuksan ang pintuan kung sino ang kumatok. Bumungad sa'kin si Papa. He stared at me and he smirked. 

"You're very smart not to disappoint me huh?" He commented that made me clenched my fists. 

Sinuri niya ang kwarto at tumingin sa mga gamit ko. "You're going to be home late?" 

Hindi ko siya sinagot, humarap siya sa'kin at ngumiti. "I'm sorry. Nadala lang ako sa galit." His usual excuse when he hurts me. 

Tumango na lang ako, "Can I have my gadgets back po, Papa?" 

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa Laptop, iPad, at phone ko. He chuckled. "Sure." 

Inilahad niya sa'kin ang gadgets ko at agad namang kinuha iyon. 

Pinasok ko na sa bag ko ang laptop at phone ko. Iniwan ko na lang sa lamesa ang iPad ko. 

Bakit pa siya nandito? Hindi ba dapat umalis na siya? 

I was about to look back at him when I was greeted with a slap. My breathing became rapid and I started to shake. 

"One more, Millicent. Isa pang nalaman ko na umuwi ka don. Hindi ka makakalabas dito ng buhay." He said sternly and went outside my room. 

I held my cheek and caressed it a bit to stop the stinging. "Shh, stop. Don't cry." I comforted myself.

"Cadie!" I looked at the person who called me. I smiled when I saw Eugene. 

He's bringing some paper bag kaya dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa'kin. I pointed at the paper bag. "Good morning! But, what's that?" 

He smiled and took my hand. He pulled me to a nearby bench at pinaupo ako don. 

He placed the paper bag on my lap and carefully took out the food. I gasped and smiled. 

"It's my favorite!" I looked at snacks he gave me and I took one kitkat. 

"Peace offering, I'm still guilty." I laughed at what he said but he just scratched the back of his head. 

"Hindi na tayo nakapagusap sa nangyari nung Saturday. How did the family gathering go?" I asked as I open the wrapping of the kitkat. 

He sighed. Sumandal siya sa bench at tumingin sa harap namin. "The usual. They're just really pressuring me to be the next heir of our business, ilang beses ko naman sinabi sakanila na I want to take up medicine. Tapos sinasabi nila, be a doctor and own the family's hospital. It's just really pure business for them huh. Si mommy lang supportive sa'kin kasi she is a real doctor. She's a psychiatrist kaya siya ganun." Sumimangot ako. 

"You have a voice." I said but I know I'm saying that to myself. 

Tumango siya, "I know I have a voice. But, it's not really the perfect timing to argue with them. I still have around 2 months to make up with my mind. I may have took up STEM but I can cross-course in College to take up business. " 

Tumingin naman siya sa'kin, "Ikaw? Are you sure that you're going to take up med?" 

I smiled and nodded, "Dream ko maging Pediatrician, I love kids." I laughed that made him laugh too. 

"Alam ko dream mo rin maging Pediatrician kaya, sana you don't have to change it just by preserving your family's legacy. You can form your own legacy." Tumango naman siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko kaya ako napatalon ng unti. 

I saw panic in his eyes. "Shoot, I forgot. I'm so sorry." He carefully placed my hand back on my lap and looked away. 

Umiling ako, "No, I'm sorry. Dapat na ako masanay sa'yo." He sighed. 

"No, I respect you. I should be the one who will make adjustments. Lagi ka na lang nag-aadjust para sa'kin. Let me do this. I can wait until you can finally be open to me." He looked at me with so much sincerity that made me smile. 

"What did I do to deserve you?" I said almost a whispered that made me receive a smirk from him. 

"I don't know, you tell me. I've been asking that to myself for so many times. What did I do to deserve you, Cadie?" Nagtitigan kami and I smiled. He was about to say something else when someone called my name. 

"Cadie!" I looked at the person who called me and I immediately smiled. Nilapag ko sa gilid ko ang paper bag bago tumayo at pumunta kay Patty. 

"Patty, what's up? May need ka?" I asked and she immediately shook her head. 

"I just need your insights about my art portfolio. Ipapasa ko kasi 'to." She was holding a big folder and I can't help but to smile. Art portfolio for what though?

"Bakit sa'kin? Para saan pala iyan?" I asked and she smiled. 

"Gusto ko kasi makita mo na 'yung sinabihan mo na huwag sumuko sa passion nila. Itetake na talaga ang gusto nilang kunin." Nanlaki ang mata ko. 

I slightly jumped and held her hand. 

"Seriously? Oh my gosh, you're going to take it na?" She jumped with me and giggled. 

I calmed myself down and we both chuckled, "I-I... Oh my, I am lost for words. I can't, omg! I am so proud of you, Patty! Patingin!" Lumipat ako sa gilid niya habang pinapakita sa'kin iyong mga iyon. 

She's an artistic and creative person. She has a passion for designing, acting, and even modeling. That's why when I saw her crying sa cr, I can't help but to give her an advice. Since then, we're close. Lagi siya lumalapit sa'kin and all. I can't help it but to be touched. 

"Sa Benilde ako papasok." She said while I was looking at her art. 

I smiled at her and nodded, "Good school!" She squealed and keeps on sharing her experiences sa exam niya and I can't help but to be proud of her. 

"Cadie, thank you. I mean kauma-umaga ang ingay natin." Natawa naman ako don, "Kinuha pa kita sa mga friends mo." She looked behind me at hindi ko napansin na nakarating na sila kaya kumaway ako sakanila. Kumaway naman sila pabalik at ngumiti. 

"Pero, I've been wanting to give you this." Nilahad niya sa'kin ang isang paper bag kaya nanlaki ang mata ko. 

"Thank you gift, may letter diyan! Basahin mo na lang pag-uwi! We'll see each other tomorrow na lang! Punta na ako sa friends ko." Niyakap niya ako kaya nagulat ako. 

"Thank you so much, Cadie. I don't know what to do without you. I am lucky and I'm sure your friends are lucky to have you. I love you!" Kumaway na siya at patakbong umalis. 

Umiling ako at lumapit kung nasaan sina Ashley. 

Bago pa ako bumalik sa pwesto ko hinila na kaagad ako palayo ni Ashley. 

When we stopped she looked around just to make sure no one's listening. 

She looked at me with such hope and she slightly smiled, "We can help you get your justice and help you get out of his hold."