I Am Me When I'm With You (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 28

"Balita ko, babalik ka na ng Pilipinas."

I rolled my eyes and didn't acknowledge the presence of the annoying guy. "Hey! I'm talking to you."

Huh! I don't want to talk to you. Go away, bastard.

"Aphrodite!"

I gritted my teeth. "What?!" I shouted and then glare at him.

He chuckled and raised both his hands as if surrendering. "Chill, man. I just want to know if it's true. You know, I'll miss you."

Miss? Araw-araw kaming nagkikita at may gana pa siyang magsabi na mamimiss niya ako?

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not a man? Don't call me that, will you?"

Good thing, babalik na ako. Hindi ko na yata kayang makasama pa siya ng isang linggo pa. Ubos na ubos na ang pasensya ko sa isip batang ito.

He laughed. "Come on, you're not a man? Napakalakas mo kayang sumuntok!"

I smirk. "Wanna taste it?" I asked and show him my fist. Kita ko ang pagkawala ng kulay sa mukha niya at nanakbo na siya paalis. Mabuti naman dahil kung hindi talaga siya aalis, matitikman niya ang hinahanap niya.

I sigh. I admit, I'll miss his cockiness too. He helped me in the past years to cope up with my sadness. Kahit makulit siya, nasanay na akong narito siya sa paligid ko. Madalas niya akong makita noon na umiiyak bago ang training. He's the nephew of Sir James, my trainor. Ako lamang ang estudyante ni Sir sa loob ng ilang taon. Nakikisali lamang si Justin kapag hindi siya busy sa klase. Ka edad ko lang siya pero marami siyang kalokohan sa buhay at isip bata siya sa paningin ko. He's a Filipino but they are now staying here in US. He also knows how to defend himself so sometimes we're try duel. Lagi niyang sinasabi na malakas ako sumuntok kaya takot na siyang makipaglaban sakin.

"Ang buhay ng tao, punung-puno ng sikreto. In the middle of the dark, will I be able to find my light?" I whispered.

"Stop thinking Sapphire. There's a better life waiting for you. Let the memories go." Daniel coldly told me.

"I'm Aphrodite, don't call me by that name anymore. Sapphire is long gone."

And no. I will not let the memories go. It is the only thing that makes me remember the real me. My real identity.

I can still remember how I ditch my flight. Hindi ako tumuloy nang araw na iyon at pumunta sa lumang bahay namin. Hindi ko yun magawang iwan. Nalaman yun ni Dad kung kaya't hinayaan niya ako. Kinabukasan, pinasundo niya ako kay Daniel at wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang umalis. Iwan ang lahat at mamuhay sa bagong pagkatao.

"'Till we meet again." I whisper while looking into the stars.

Three years had passed and many things had changed. Dad chose to change my name here in US to avoid suspicious people. I am Aphrodite Mendez. I can't use the name Sapphire Dela Fuente cause even though I'm not in the Philippines, I'm not sure if a Voltaire is just somewhere around me.

Sa tatlong taon ko rito, natuto akong makihalubilo sa ibang tao. Naalis ko na ang pagiging inosente sa mundo. Natuto akong lumaban at ipagtatanggol ang sarili ko mula sa mga nang-aapi. Mas marami ang bully dito kaysa sa Pilipinas. Noon, hindi ko nagawa yun, ngunit ngayon mas malakas na ako. I am Aphrodite. The strong Aphrodite. I just realize that I don't want to be called Sapphire again. That name reminds me of someone who has a weak heart and is very ignorant.