Hazel's Sweet Revenge

Kabanata 21

*** Sabrina's ***

Love is Pain

What I feel 

is like the song I once heard. 

The strumming of the guitar, 

words echoing wide and far 

I closed my eyes and listened, 

unraveling the feeling I'd hidden. 

I flow with its melody; 

let it in 'til it becomes a memory.

I quickly turned off the alarm, even though my eyes were still closed. Nakakabanas din pala pakinggan ang sariling boses. I should probably consider changing the alarm tone.

Bukod sa hindi naman appropriate pang-gising dahil tunog-acoustic ang dating, maraming ala-ala pa ang dala nito.

"M-a-w..."

Someone was tugging on my white shirt. Napamulat ako at kinuha si Ollie sa tabi ko.

"Good morning, li'l demon."

"M-a-w!"

Hinaplos ko ang ulo nito bago napaupo sa kama.

"Okay, let's have our breakfast." I looked at my phone and noticed Edmerson's message.

May meeting tayo today, papunta na ako sa office. Kaloka wala pa akong tulog!

Ollie slipped off of my hold, and she went directly to where her food plate is. Inayos ko muna ang higaan bago dumiretso sa kusina.

I saw Hilary on the couch, still peacefully sleeping. Pagkatapos lagyan ng cat food si Ollie, pinulot ko ang iilang junk foods na nahulog sa carpet.

I took the empty bottle of Jose Cuervo and put it inside my white laminated cabinet.

Medyo masakit pa ang ulo ko dahil sa ginawa naming paglalasing kagabi. That was the first time I drank alcohol again after almost six years. Nagtimpla ako ng kape at pa-unti-unti itong ininom. Gusto kong mag-half day, I'm already an hour late. Pero dahil sa message ni Ed ay kailangan kong pumunta.

After consuming my black coffee, binilisan ko lang ang pagligo para makahabol sa meeting. I wrote Hilary a note and rubbed Ollie's fuzzy hair before heading out.

Hil, before you leave, make sure to feed Ollie.

Thank you!

Using papa's old suzuki Jimny, napasabak ako sa tatlumpong minuto na traffic bago tuluyang makarating sa building na pinagta-trabahuhan ko.

I was dressed in slim-fitting black slacks and a white v-neck shirt was tucked into my light gray coat. My hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, which I believe accentuated the light brown highlights in my hair.