Should Not Fall Deeply

Chapter 3

Hindi na ako umuwi pa sa mansion dalawang araw na ang lumipas. Ayoko siyang makita. Kung nagsisisi siyang maging anak ako at si Cluskey, mas nagsisisi akong maging tatay siya. He couldn't even be a decent father to us! Wala siyang karapatang saktan at pagsalitaan ako kahit pa galing sa kanya ang aking buhay.

I'm browsing various locations of condominiums of impressive quality so I could finally move out. I have savings, and since Daddy doesn't provide for my expenses, it's a great thing to separate. Hindi ko na siya kayang makasama pa.

"Do you think this is better?" Tanong ko kay Hanz isang araw. I showed him the choices I'd found. Nasa condo niya ako, komportableng nakaupo sa sofa sa balkonahe, nasa kandungan ang laptop. Mabuti't kahit papaano ay hindi mugto ang mga mata ko sa kaiiyak. Now I'd pretend.

I didn't tell anyone what happened, even my friends. Lalo na si Hanz. Kakaawaan lang naman nila ako. Hihilingin ko na naman na sana katulad ng pamilya nila ang pamilya ko. Saka, ilang beses ko na rin namang nabanggit na gusto ko nang lumipat.

"Well, given the location, that should do. Ikaw lang naman ang titira, diba?"

He handed me a cup of coffee. I sipped on it a bit. Hindi gaanong mainit sa balkonahe ng condo ni Hanz kahit pa umaga na.

"I think it's too pricey for a small one," nalukot ang mukha ko.

"Then search for more," aniya. "Bakit ka pala naghahanap ng condominium? Aalis ka na sa mansion niyo?"

I shook my head when I heard that. Ayoko na roon. Hinding-hindi na ako babalik sa lugar na 'yon.

"Isn't it obvious? Mag-aaksaya ba ako ng oras sa paghahanap ng matitirhan kung hindi ako lilipat?" Umirap ako.

"Woah, woah! Okay, Ms. Stressed. Chill out! You've been too stressed for days, Iris! Kulang na kulang ka na sa pahinga." Hinila niya ako palapit sa kanya. Nakasimangot akong nagpaubaya at hinayaan siya. "How about a date? Libre ko.."

Nanliit ang mga mata ko.

"I refuse. Date is an ultimate no when it comes to you."

Hanz Madrigal is a renowned singer who is adored by various fans. He has a huge fanbase which, exactly, isn't very nice especially to the girls who are linked to him. At ang lumabas kasama siya ay parang pagharap na rin sa mga hayok na hayok na buwaya.

He threw me dagger looks, pouting. "Parang diring-diri, a!"

"Anong parang? Diring-diri talaga!" I joked.

We've been friends since high school. Well, he tried to hit on me but as I've always said to those who tried, I can't be serious. He wants a serious relationship I couldn't give, that's why he's stopped and we remained as friends. Sadyang siya lang talaga ang naging kaibigan ko dahil sa sobra niyang kakulitan.

"Sumasama ugali mo, Iris! Kanino mo natututuhan 'yan?" He joked, dramatically acting as if I hurt his feelings. "Libre na tinatanggihan pa."

"Can you just help me here? Instead of whining there like some kid taken his candy, why don't you lend a hand and be a nice friend to help me find a shelter?" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.

He was laughing still, though. May mga tinawagan siyang kaibigan upang magtanong kung may mga recommendations daw ba ang mga ito. I did my part. I searched condominiums of my preferred taste. Hanz told me the suggestions and we both searched for it. Pero natapos ang ilang oras na wala akong napipili.

Nagscroll na lang ako sa social media accounts ko. I viewed my friends' stories, I skipped some. Daseri's message popped up, ranting, since I disappeared and didn't texted her back after the celebration. Inignora ko lang 'yon dahil di ko alam pa'no ipaliliwanag ang nangyari. Pero gano'n na lang ang gulat ko nang makita ang story ng isa kong kaibigan na kasama ang lalaking kinaiinisan ko sa lahat.