Out
Binagalan ko ang takbo ng aking sasakyan nang makita ang building kung saan ang aking condo unit. I parked it at the basement and hurriedly went to the elevator and pressed the 10th floor.
Kagat-labi kong inintay na makarating sa nasabing floor. Habang nahihintay, naalala ko ang nangyari kanina.
Do they think I'm stupid enough to obey their wants? Hindi ako aso and I will never be! I was born to be their daughter not to be their dog! I just want my freedom. Mahirap bang ibagay iyon?
I punched my pass code. I dipped my body in the cold tub. Tinawagan ko si Azul. He's the only person I can tell about what I felt.
"Azul.... When did Mommy said that? That I'll be m-moving out?" I heard him sighed.
"Kahapon pa. I really didn't think that they will do this to you."
Kinagat ko ang aking labi. Ayokong umiyak!
"Anong gagawin ko? I love them but they're asking too much!"
"I'm sorry, Azure. I can't do anything. They are also planning for my engagement with Elaine... Narinig ko kahapon."
Damn! Why are we still stuck with this fucking tradition!
Tinapos ko ang aming tawag ganoon rin ang aking pagbababad. I picked my black nighties and wear it. Humarap ako sa vanity mirror and removed my makeup and accessories. I cleansed my face and put some oil bago nahiga.
My mind didn't let me sleep. Mukhang naiwan ang mga iyon sa Casa Blanca. I hope it will comeback so I can sleep peacefully. Wala na naman akong gagawin bukas kaya okay lang na malate. Sa hapon na lang siguro ako papasok.
Nang hindi pa rin makatulog, I went outside my room and decided to make a chocolate drink. Gumawa rin ako ng ham sandwich. Naupo ako sa sala at binuksan ang television. It's already past 12 o'clock. Kokonti na lang ang magandang palabas. I got bored right away kaya pinatay ko na lang.
Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako tinatablahan ng antok kahit konti man lang. Tinapos ko na lang ang pagkain ng ham sandwich. Tinapik ko ang aking pisngi bago pumasok ulit sa kwarto.
Humiga ako at binuksan ang aking cellphone. Tumambad ang calls ni Mommy and Dad. Meron ring mga text message nila ngunit kariniwan sa mga ito ay galing kay Mommy.
Mommy:
You embarrassed me, Azure!
Mommy:
I will not tolerate that attitude, Azure! This is our tradition. You'll obey it without buts!
Mommy:
I'll leave you for a while until you cool down.
Suminghap ako ng hangin bago pinikit ang mga mata. Napadilat lang nang may tumawag. Unregistered number popped out. I decline the call.
Gabing-gabi na ngunit tumatawag pa rin. I put my phone into flight mode. Walang istorbo. Sinubukan kong ipikit ang aking mga mata. Unti-unti naman akong dinala sa lumbay ng pagtulog.
I woke up feeling groggy. Tiningnan ko ang clock na nasa side table. Alas otso na pala.
I did my routine. Naghilamos at nagtoothbrush. Tinali ko na lang ang aking buhok ng basta-basta bago lumabas ng kwarto at nagluto.
I cooked pancake saka nagtimpla na rin ng coffee. Handa na akong kumain but the doorbell rang. Kinuha ko muna ang robe ko bago buksan ang pinto. I can't face him or her nang ganito ang ayos ko.
"Sandali lang!" It keeps on pressing the doorbell button!
Upon opening the door, I saw Mr. Zachariah standing there with dark aura. I raised my eyebrow.
