DEAR VABIEN

DOS

CHAPTER 2

VABIEN

At last, the party was over.

"Pagod na ako." I breathed nonchalantly. I took off my platform heels. Ah, I can see my sole flaring red. Umupo na lang ako sa harap ng vanity at sinimulan na ang mga dapat kong gawin.

I'm here on my room, alone. With every wipe of a make-up cleanser, I felt a little lighter. Socializing is one of the many things my mom embedded on my mind ever since I was a child. She often tells me that socializing will be my tool in order to win people's heart. Noon ay hindi ko siya maintindihan. Pero sa mga nangyari kanina ay alam ko na kung bakit ko kailangan makuha ang puso ng mga tao. They are grooming me to be Morea's next ruler. Quite a huge responsibility. Not that I am backing out, but that seems to be more of a burden than a responsibility for me.

Growing up, I find socializing as an exhausting activity. Don't get me wrong, I love talking and engaging with people. It is just that I am looking for a more intimate feeling. A friend.

"Bakit ba kasi wala akong kaibigan?" ni hindi ko na namamalayan na naisasaboses ko pala ang mga iniisip ko.

Contrary to what my mom imposes on my childhood, she never let me mingle with other people my age. I never had the privilege of setting foot on a university as a student. I never had friends. What I have was AI robots. Nothing but a piece of metal with a simple cognitive capability constructed to help humans. Their programs hinder them from having feelings. That is sad from my perspective. Having to function just because of a pre-made program and having no control of your own life? That's sick.

As much as I hate the logic behind AI's programs and whatnots, I cannot help but to compare myself to them. It took me a while to realize that it sums up my life. I obey every order that is presented to me. Socializing? See my birthday party as an example. The only person I want to talk too that very moment was Tyrran and everyone else can go home. But as the future heir, I need to talk to the people like the way lolo Ver is talking to them. I need to go out of my way to please the people around me. The society.

I never had the chance of complaining. One look at my mom's ethereal face and I'll lose all my courage. I wish for the day when I can stand up for my own and decide what to do with my life. Because this is mine and mine alone.

I put away my facial products and headed for the bathroom. It was a spacious bath consisted of a jacuzzi, a shower area, toilet, and a grand lavatory. The color of gold was prominent on each and every side of this room. My lolo and my Mom loves the color of gold. Most of the times they share the same thoughts about things that concerns power and grandeur. I sometimes think that mom is Lolo's real child and not my Dad.

Inilubog ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa jacuzzi. Umaasang mapawi nito ang mga bagay na siyang gumugulo sa aking isipan. Kahit panandalian lamang. Ilang minute rin ang itinagal ko sa banyo at pinili ko nang lumabas. I jumped into my silk night wear and set myself into the bed. Into the far corner of my room, seated several trolleys containing medium sized gifts. I have no doubt that it came from the visitors earlier. Of course, they would not give me humongous gifts. What they will present me are tiny gifts that costs an arm and a leg. That is just how it is.

Imbis na buksan ang mga regalo ay mas pinili ko na lamang na matulog ihiniga ko ang sarili sa malambot na kama. Anong oras na pero hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Ang daming nangyari sa party ko kanina. Sa tingin ko ay iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ako makatulog. Tatlong tao ang siyang tumatak sa aking ngayong gabi. Si Tyrran, Creole, at si Devian.

Hindi ko maintindihan ang mga huling sinabi ni Tyrran sa akin. Una, ang sabi niya 'wag ko raw agad buksan ang regalo niya sa akin. Pangalawa, ano ang tinutukoy niya sa sinabi niyang babangon ang nakalimutan? Sinabi rin niyang mag ingat ako. Na para bang alam niya na may mangyayari sa akin na masama. Naguguluhan ako. Pero grabe. Napaka ganda niya! Binago ko ang puwesto ng aking pagkakahiga.