#2: Strumming the Pain

Prologue

Happiness is one of the things everyone wants. We always want to be happy and to be free from all the pain. Sometimes, we wish for an easy life that clearly we won't have because in the first place, life is meant to be hard. Just like everyone, I also wished to be happy. But I don't know why sometimes, I also feel scared with the thought of being happy. Have you ever felt so scared about being so happy?

We feel a lot of different emotions. We feel the same emotions, but most of the time, we don't share the same reason. Sometimes, we don't even know why we feel that way. Like... it's just like that. We have a lot of questions in mind, and we do everything to get the answers we want.

I grew up believing that life is like a fireworks, it's wonderful and colorful, but it can also harm you. It is like a ride in an amusement park, it will make you feel different emotions. It is like a swing that goes back and forth. It's like a blade, either way or side, you'll be hurt if you're not being careful. Like... a trap, no escape.

Strumming the pain like a guitar, hoping it will build a music of love.

"Fucking school day." I whispered while I was fixing my necktie. I was interrupted by a phone call. I sighed before deciding to answer it. I didn't bother checking who's the caller is, it was probably one of the girls since no one will ever bother to call me.

"Late ka na!" it was Jeshua, my best friend. I don't even know how we became best friends when we both hate each other at first.

"May teacher na ba?" tanong ko lang naman sa kanya. Ni-loudspeaker ko rin ang cellphone ko para maibaba ito at maayos na ang uniporme ko.

"Papunta kami ng Assembly Hall. May seminar daw, e." she answered. "Nasa bahay ka pa, 'no?!" tanong pa niya sa 'kin.

"I'll be fine, then." I answered.

"You never change." she answered and I bet she's rolling her eyes now.

"Hang up now." sagot ko lang sa kanya habang tinitignan ang repleksyon ko sa salamin.

"Papasok ka?!" malakas ang boses na tanong naman niya ulit sa 'kin. Parang nahahawa na siya sa ingay ng magpinsang Nimendez. I laughed at that thought.

"Of course. I hate this house more than I hate school. I'd rather go to school than stay in this house." I answered, rolling my eyes. I never liked going to school. It wasn't good, but I'd rather go there than stay here. This house is suffocating like as if it is a closed box.

"Is there a problem again?" she asked, worried. Natahimik ako sa naging tanong niya pero hindi ko 'yon sinagot.

"Hang up now. I'm almost done, Jeshua. I'm going to school!" I answered but she didn't hang up so I did. Kinuha ko na rin ang beret ko bago kinuha ang bag ko at lumabas na sa kwarto ko.

I was wishing to see no one as I stepped out of my room but I think it's not my lucky day. I stopped when I see the person I don't want to see early in the morning. Seeing him, I knew instantly that it will ruin my whole day. My dad was staring straight at me, kakalabas niya lang sa kwarto nila ng asawa niya. And speaking of his wife, my step mother just stepped out of their room, only wearing a robe. I almost rolled my eyes but I stopped myself.