Should Not Fall Deeply

Chapter 4
Ride

It took exactly two weeks before I have finally settled in at my new condo. The little renovation was surprisingly fast. Since I told the agent of the changes needed according to my taste, everything looked perfect. I have bought new appliances that I will use and groceries after. Masayang-masaya ako roon. I have now a place I can call as my own. Kersytia's with me as well. Cinontact ko na rin ang agency ko para tumanggap na ng project offers. This place costed me huge so I need to work my ass off. Hindi ako mayaman kaya kailangan kong magtrabaho.

Inaasahan kong tatawagan ako ni Daddy pero hindi. We never had any contact after I left the mansion. I can even hear his voice in my head. 'Sige lang, umalis ka kung gusto mo. But remember one thing, Iris. You can never escape from my hold.'

Galit ako sa kanya pero alam kong totoo ang sinabi ni Daddy. I wouldn't be able to escape him. Everything I do has an influence of him. But, that would only happen if I would not fight back. I smirked with my thoughts. I will defy him that he'd wish he should've let my mother aborted me. I will disappoint him too much he would be really pissed at me. I would make sure that whatever he does, he will always think that he has a daughter who will constantly bring shame on his valued name.

"This place looks nice..." Daseri's comment made my eyes roll one morning. Maaga pa ngunit ito na siya sa kanyang panghuhusga.

She touched the brand-new and unused wooden chair located at my kitchen. Then she made a face it annoyed me. Wala naman siyang maging masamang komento dahil maganda ang taste ko pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay.

"This place is better than nice, Das! Ang lawak at ang laki kaya." Pahiga akong umupo sa malambot na couch. Tumawa si Hanz na pinagmamasdan ang kabuuan ng banyo.

I let my eyes wandered around my spacious and brand-new condominium. Regardless of Daseri's critique, I've been too much happy and proud and contented, I thought. Wala nang mas hihigit pa sa pakiramdam na magkaro'n ng isang bagay na gustong-gusto mo gamit ang perang ikaw mismo ang naghirap para makamtam.

Tinabihan ako bigla ni Hanz sa sofa.

"Feel ko okay lang. Kasama ako nu'ng nagtingin kami ng mga condo, e." ngisi niya. At least he's on my side.

"Still feels so lonely." Daseri really wouldn't stop. I glared at her. Naiinis lang siya dahil gusto niyang sa kanila ako tumira.

"Wow, huwag ka na nga magcomment dahil hindi naman ikaw ang titira," I uttered, annoyed.

"Stressed na naman ang bebegurl na 'yan." pasimple kong sinipa si Hanz para gumanti sa kanyang pang-aasar. Agad naman siyang napikon, nakanguso pa. I smirked. "Ito talaga kahit kailan! Napakabrutal!"

"Di ka pa ba sanay?" si Daseri, tumatawa, bago maya-maya ay nagseryoso. "Ano palang sabi ni Tito sa paglipat mo?"

The question made my head turn to her. My smirked, like a bubble in the thin air, vanished. I realised I haven't told them what happened at the mansion. Nobody knows except me. No one knows that he slapped me so hard I felt numb because ot it. Hanggang doon na lang siguro iyon. Ayokong pag-usapan. It will just make them pity me.

I looked away and acted as though I am not affected. "As predicted, he wasn't cool about it. You know him, he wants to grip me on the neck. But as a cunning woman that I am, I was able to move out." I lied. "Hindi lang kasi ako maganda, matalino rin."

"Sus, nagbuhat pa ng sariling bangko." natatawa si Hanz na binalingan ako.

"Just telling the truth..."

Pinandilatan ako ng babae. "Truth that is somewhat, I sense, mixed with lies..."

"Truth that is pure and is not fabricated," I corrected.