You Make Me Smile [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN - MESSED-UP LIFE

ISAVELL'S POV

"What is it again, Ma'am?" I asked her, hoping na mali lang yung pagkakarinig ko.

"I said you'll live with me and my family." She finished her lunch, tapos ni hindi ko man lang nagalaw yung akin.

"But—"

"No buts, Isavell. I don't care about what you'll say about it. You'll come with me, right now."

Wow.

As she said, Mom didn't really care about my opinion. Right after I finished my lunch—awkwardly, finished my lunch, she forced me to stay with her so that we could easily reach their house without hassle.

Pinahatid niya 'yung kotse ko sa tinutuluyan ko and then nothing else. I'm just here, sitting beside her, inside her car, overthinking.

She even took my phone away from me. 'Di ko man lang ma-contact si Madam J na mukhang 'di ako makapapasok ngayon sa trabaho. And Rain... I even told him that I'll see him at work today.

Nung sinabi ni Mom na titira ako sa bahay nila, that definitely left me dumbfounded. Isipin mo, nananahimik akong walang nanay, maliban kay Yaya, then after how many years, she'll show up telling me that I'll live with her and her new family. At ang nakakatawa pa roon, I wasn't able to say anything, like hindi naman mahalaga opinion ko—hindi naman talaga mahalaga, Vell. She said so herself. Parang bigla niya na lang akong binitbit na isang gamit at dadalhin sa kung saan niya gusto, tapos iiwan kung kelan niya gusto.

What a great mother.

Ano ba kasi tong trip ni Mom?

Why is she interfering with my life after fifteen years?

"Once you're there, be sure to be respectful and know your place, Isavell." I nodded. I don't even wanna talk to her.

"Nandito na po tayo, Mrs. Rivas," the driver said, which made me look outside the window.

There it is, my mom's new home. A place where she went after leaving me and my dad. A place where I know, I really don't belong.

Pinababa na ako ni Mom mula sa kotse at nakasunod lang ako sa kanya. I don't know what to feel. As I enter the house, I can feel a lot of eyes staring at me. This is the most awkward situation I have ever felt in my entire life.

"Good morning, Mrs. Rivas, nasa dining area na po sila." My mom walked towards... maybe the dining area, and here I am... still following her. At mukhang sa dining area nga kami pupunta, I can see the table and chairs from where I'm standing.

"Hey, honey." Mom went to kiss the guy sitting at the end of the table.

"Isavell, right?" the guy asked and I nodded. If my memory is still clear, that guy is Uncle Joseph, Dad's best friend. "Please, sit here." He gestured at the chair on his left. There were two guys, one I assume is the same age as me and one is younger than me, seated across me. "That's Sergio, he's younger than you, at ayun naman si Jason, magkaedad lang kayo." Unfortunately, ansama ng tingin nilang dalawa sa akin. Lalo na yung Sergio. Napansin ata yun ni Tito Joseph. "Boys, be nice to your sister."

The younger one grunted and continued glaring at me. The older one sighed and began to speak. "Hi, I'm Jason, Dad already said that Your mom isn't my mom, so don't worry, I have something against you." We were all taken aback by his last phrase.

He has something against me huh?

"Jason," pagsaway ni Tito Joseph kay Jason.

"May I know what that is?" I insisted.

"Simple. Your mom's the reason why Dad left my mom." All I could hear was total silence.

"I beg to disagree, Mr. Jason. I wasn't there when their decisions were made. So, how come you have something against me?" I can't let anyone make me feel aggrieved. I almost grew up alone, kaya ako lang din ang makakapagtanggol sa sarili ko.

"Isavell," I heard mom call me like I did something wrong.

I looked at her and her new husband. "I'm sorry if you feel uneasy with my presence, I feel so too. I do know that right from the start you never wanted me here, but so do I. Hindi ko po ginusto o gugustuhing maging parte ng pamilya niyo po. I'm fine with my own, so if you please, I would take my leave now." I stood up and was about to walk out of the room but Tito Joseph spoke.

"You'll be staying here, Isavell. With us. Whether they—" Sinamaan niya ng tingin yung dalawang lalaki bago ngumiti sa akin. "—like it or not."

"But how about my opinion, Mr. Rivas? What if it is I who doesn't want to stay here?"

"You have to, Isavell. And don't be stubborn. Take a seat." My mom has this authoritative voice, but I didn't waiver.

I looked at her, eye to eye, gathered my strength, and asked her. "Please, tell me what you really need from me. I know you wouldn't want anything to deal with me if it wasn't so important, or maybe a life-and-death situation."

"Isavell, don't think like that..." Tito Joseph maybe wanted to lighten up the atmosphere but failed.

"Please, Mr. Rivas. Kilala ko naman po siguro si Mrs. Rivas to the point na ayaw niyang maging parte ako ng buhay niya. If I am not mistaken, she left me and my dad saying that I am not enough reason for her to stay with us. Kaya naman po alam ko na simula't sapul na may kailangan po kayo mula sa akin para kausapin niya po ulit ako." I looked at Mom again. "So please, tell me. Ano pong kailangan mo sa akin?"

"I need a daughter—" That took my breath away. "—to marry our business partner's son."

What a messed-up life you have, Isavell. Congratulations.