You're Making Me Crazy, Professor [COMPLETED]

I woke up with a pounding headache, the kind that felt like a drum was playing inside my skull. My vision was still a bit blurry, and everything that happened last night started to rewind in my mind like a slow, cruel montage.

I decided to let her go. Not because I stopped loving her—God knows I still do—but because no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, I don’t think I ever had a real chance in the end. She doesn’t need me. And maybe, just maybe, I have to start accepting that.

Pinilit ko nang huwag na lang munang isipin 'yon. I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I stood under the shower for almost an hour, letting the water hit my skin, hoping it would wash away the sadness. Pero kahit gaano katagal, wala namang nabago.

Pagkababa ko, I saw Ate in the kitchen, moving around as she prepared breakfast. She glanced at me the moment I stepped into the room.

"You said you weren’t feeling well yesterday," madiin na sabi niya. Her tone was calm, but I could tell she already knew the truth.

"Yes—"

"Don't lie." she cut me off, sharp but controlled. "I know what you did yesterday, Via. You spent almost a billion pesos in one day."

Napalunok ako. My throat felt dry, and I had to look away.

"It’s my money, after all," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. Which was true—I earned it. At my age, may sarili na akong pinagkakakitaan. Hindi ko lang madalas pag-usapan.

She put down the spoon she was holding and looked at me straight in the eyes.

"I don't care about the money. I know you've worked hard for that. But why did you have to lie? You told me you were sick, and I was so worried. I wanted to come home right away yesterday just to check on you. But what hurt more was finding out you weren’t even home the entire day. You disappeared, and I had no idea where you were. You're making me worry, Via!."Her voice was filled with concern, but it carried anger.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. She was already turning back to the food she plated, but I could still feel the weight of her words.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "Totoo, I lied. But I'm okay now."

She let out a deep sigh, one that came from somewhere heavy.

"Don't do that again. Or else, you'll regret it. Mark my words, Via. Mark. It."

I didn’t answer. I just nodded slowly, knowing she deserved more, but unsure how to give it.

She handed me my plate and said gently, "Eat. You drank again last night, didn’t you?"

"Yeah. And I’ve decided to stop what I feel to her." I looked her in the eye as I said it. I meant it this time.

Napatingin siya sa akin, and I saw something in her face—like she knew I’d reach this point sooner or later.

"Good," she said. "Cynthia isn't the kind of person you can win over easily."

Tahimik lang ako. I started eating my breakfast, pero sa loob ko, naglalaban pa rin ng lungkot.

Yeah, she isn't the person I can get easily with but sometimes I think I have a chance. Why would she spend her time with me, coming in the province with me. But y'know what, nevermind. It does mean something to me, but maybe for her it was nothing.

“Wait. Are you really serious?” she asked again, eyes narrowing as she studied my face. Her brows were slightly furrowed, like she couldn’t believe I meant what I said.

I met her gaze. “Yes. I’m serious this time.”

She stared for a moment longer before finally sighing, her shoulders easing just a bit. “Good. Because you can’t keep drowning yourself in alcohol every time something doesn’t go your way.”