Games on Blazing Flames (Flames Series #1)

Chapter 31

Changes

For three years, I've been waking up in the morning with heaviness in my chest. I would wake up just to stare at the wall with a blank mind and I would always unconsciously touch my tummy and caress it. At first, I didn't notice what I was doing. Nalaman ko lang when Tito Abel talked to me about it. He even thought of dealing with it with Barrett but I stopped him. Para sa akin ay okay na ko. I don't need to seek help anymore.

I sighed and sat down. I pressed the remote's button to draw the curtains. I stood up and crossed my arms habang pinapanood ang grupo ng mga ibon na lumilipad sa himpapawid at malaya. I wonder how it feels to be like them. Are they happy? They're so... free. Do they have worries? Regrets? What-ifs?

My life used to be so... simple. No what-ifs and regrets because in everything I do, I always make the most out of it... because I hate having regrets. I don't want to have thoughts like what if I did this and that? Will this happen? I'm sure as hell that I am not that kind of person and people close to me know that.

Napatuwid ako ng tayo nang umalingawngaw sa buong kwarto ang tunog ng cellphone ko. Dinampot ko iyon mula sa kama at sinagot ang tawag.

"Good Morning!" bati ni Tito Abel mula sa kabilang liniya.

"Morning, Mamsh," tinatamad kong sagot.

"Ngayon ka lang talaga nagising? I'm on my way to the airport."

"Have a safe flight. Do you want me to pick you up? I have my car na."

"No! Don't leave your condo."

"But I want to. May pupuntahan ako."

"Saan naman? Alam mong marami nang nakakaalam na nandito ka!"

"I want to visit Manang Celia. Matagal na rin nang huli ko siyang nakita."

"Hintayin mo na ko para may kasama ka."

I smiled and shook my head even though he can't see me. "No, kaya ko naman, Mamsh. Hindi ako gagawa ng gulo o ano."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Okay, then. I'll just see you later. Make sure to hide from the crowd."

He's paranoid. Siguro naman ay hindi ako ganoon kakilala dito? I'm an international model naman and not a local. Well... I used to.

"Yes. Ingat ka, Mamsh. See you!"

"Take care, Chant."

I ended the call and went inside the bathroom. Siguro ay sa isang coffee shop sa labas nalang ako mag-aalmusal para hindi na magluto pa. I already texted Manang Celia last night na dadalawin ko siya. She lives in Cavite kaya kailangan kong magdrive pa papunta doon. Maganda na sa umaga magtungo doon para hindi pa gaanong traffic. Tatlong taon na ang lumipas pero hanggang ngayon ay ganoon parin dito sa Pilipinas.

I wore casual clothes to avoid catching people's attention. Kung isusuot ko ang mga madalas kong suotin sa New York ay talagang makikilala ako and that's the last thing I would want to happen. I drove my way out of the parking lot and left the building. Naghanap naman ako ng coffee shop sa labas and good thing ay marami. I pulled my car over to the coffee shop I chose. Iyon kasi ang napansin ko na kaunti lang ang tao. Binaba ko ang suot kong puting baseball cap at pinindot ang key fob bago pumasok sa loob. Dumiretso ako sa counter para umorder.

"Iced Americano and a cinnamon roll," I said then placed my card on the counter.

"What's your name, Ma'am?" He asked while pressing something on the screen.