Limitation

Chapter 1

"Hey, are you okay?"

Napatingin ako kay Kuya Aron nang magsalita ito. I sighed.

"I'm okay, Kuya."

"Talaga ba? You've been sighing five times from now. Tell me what's bothering you, Eyah."

I turn my eyes on the papers in front of me. This past few days, I keep myself busy to forget what I needed to forget. I'm always here in my clinic, working. Kaya medyo nagulat ako kaninang umaga nang biglang pumasok si Kuya Aron. He said, he can sense that there's a problem on me and keep telling me to share it to him.

But I refused. I don't want him know that Derick the jerk betrayed me. Sasamain siya panigurado kay Kuya.

"You're just imagining things, Kuya."

Tumayo ito at umupo sa upuan sa harap ng desk ko. Seryoso itong tumingin sa 'kin.

"Is it about you and Derick?" he asked that made me stared at him.

"H-How about us Kuya? Aren't you busy? Just leave me alone here."

I don't anyone to know that I'm in pain. Yes, but I'm still in process to forget that jerk now. But how can I move on if there's a person that keeps saying his name? How hard.

"You broke up?" diretso nitong tanong na nagpatigil sa 'kin.

Mahina akong natawa. I can still remember our scene when he broke up with me. How, painful to remember.

"Kuya..."

"Did he broke up with you?"

Kahit ayaw kong tumango ay kusang tumango ang ulo ko sabay ng pag-iwas ko ng tingin. Grr, my tears are here again. Aren't they tired to flow and flow out of my eyes? Because me... I'm tired of crying all night.

Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang paghaplos ng kamay ni Kuya sa likod ko. I didn't noticed that he's now on my side.

"Kaya mo 'yan...you will get out of it. You will moved on, Eyah."

Lumakas ang iyak ko sa aking mga palad habang wala pa ring tigil sa paghaplos ng kamay niya sa likod ko si Kuya. I appreciate his presence. I thought that I can hide it to him. But I forgot that he's my Kuya. He knows everything about me. And I'm lucky to have him.

"I never thought that it was painful to love, Kuya. I thought that it's just in the pocket books that I've read. I thought...I thought, he was contented at me."

His hands was now off on my back. He's now hugging me and letting me cry harder in his shoulder.

"Just, forget him. Makakaya mo rin 'yan. I'm just here, Eyah. Cry hard, cry all you want. My shoulders was free for your tears."

Matapos akong umiyak nang umiyak ay lumabas ng clinic ko si Kuya. Mabuti nalang at walang mga pasyenteng napunta dito habang nagdadrama ako eh.

Nang makabalik si Kuya ay may dala dala na itong paper bag. Nagulat pa ako nang may sumunod na pumasok sa kaniya bitbit ang isa pang paper bag.

"Hi, Eyah! I missed you!"

Napatayo ako sa gulat. I didn't expect her to be here. Nakakahiya pa naman ang itsura ko dahil namumugto pa ang mga mata ko.

She leaned on me to give me a soft kiss on my cheeks that I gladly accept.

"I missed you too, Ate Yexxa!" pinilit kong pasiglahin ang boses ko.

Ate Yexxa is my Kuya Aron's girlfriend. They've been together for five years and I can't help that thought to be proud at them. I hope that they're relationship will last forever.

Tsh, I forgot. Wala nga palang forever.

"How are you? Masyado ka yatang busy dito sa clinic mo." inilagay nito sa desk ko ang hawak nitong paper bag bago umupo paharap sa akin.

"I'm okay naman, Ate. Medyo busy rin dito sa clinic, medyo marami kasi ang mga nagkakasakit na mga pets ngayon kaya marami akong nagiging pasyente." I smiled.

"Well, nice to hear that, Eyah." tipid lang akong ngumiti.

"Ikaw ba, Ate? How have you been?" tanong ko naman.

"Kinda busy rin. I will be having a fashion show tomorrow actually. Dito sa plipinas gaganapin kaya naisipan kong dumalaw muna dito."

Sa States kasi madalas si Ate Yexxa. Kadalasan namang nando'n din si Kuya upang samahan ito.

"That's a nice choice then." she just smiled.

"Oh, I forgot! I have something for you, Eyah!"

She handed me the paper bag that she's holding a while ago. I slowly reached it by my hand and opened it.

"Whoa! Mahal 'to, ate! Nakakahiya naman sa 'yo!" It's a perfume. A most expensive perfume that famous now.

"No, it's okay. Actually, tag-isa kayo ng Kuya mo." liningon nito si Kuya sa kaniyang likuran. "Let her see yours, Aron."

Like a robot, my brother handed me quickly the paper bag he's holding. Ate was right, we're same brand but a different scent.

"Are you busy now, Eyah? Let's hang out!"

I smiled and nodded. Maybe I just need to try those things that I haven't tried before. Maybe this is the way to make me easily forget about him. Yeah, maybe it is.

Kuya is on the driver seat, driving and Ate Yexxa was on shotgun seat. While I'm on the passenger seat, I keep my eyes outside, trying to find my worth. Lol, I should keep in mind that I'm moving on geez.

We spent our time together. We ate, we watched movie. And just like that, I'm just their third wheel. How could my brother put me in this situation? Geez, I'm broken for Pete's sake but here he was, making me feel more in pain. But I can't deny to myself that I'm a bit happy. Not that totally happy but I can say that I'm happy.

I'm their third wheel. Wow. But I'm smiling while staring at their back. They are happy. And I hope that it wouldn't have a last anymore.

"Kuya, Cr lang ako." paalam ko. He just nodded.

Our last destination was here in the mall. Ate Yexxa invited us to buy anything stuffs that will attract us. She likes shopping though.

Iniwan ko na muna sila sa shoes department at nagtungo sa pinakamalapit na Cr...sana. But when I asked the sale's lady, she said the Cr was on third floor. Great, I have to use elevator first before I can get there.

Nagpapasalamat ako na akong mag-isa lang ang sumakay sa elevator. I can say my thoughts about this goddamn mall.

"Tsh, why the hell they didn't put a Cr in every floor of this mall? Or must I say, every corner of every floor? Tsh."

"So if just in case that I'm almost about to burst out and I'm on the second floor, I need to run to the elevator first and wait minutes before I can felt released? What the hell? What a shame! Grr."

I felt annoyed. This mall must be thankful that I can hold the water inside me because if not—grr! I will let them borrow my passport to hell!

"Damn this mall—oh damn this elevator! How can you be that slow huh?" Feels like I'm stupid now.

"You're too loud, Miss."

Nagulat ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng elevator. And what's makes me more startled is the...guy standing outside.

He's tall. That's the first thing I noticed. He's wearing a tuxedo—hell. A business man? But he haven't a case holding. Maybe he was the...the owner of this mall?

Wow, great.

"Go get microscope and find my care." mataray kong sagot dito.

Halatang nabigla ito sa sinabi ko but as if I care. Lumabas ako ng elevator at hinarap ang may-ari ng mall.

"Your mall is quite bad. You should have put a Cr on every floor—I mean in every corner! You're such an irresponsible owner! Psh!" inirapan ko pa ito bago lumakad palayo.

God, I'm almost there! Nang marating ko ang Cr ay halos magkanda-ngudngod pa ako marating lang ang cubicle. Damn that tall owner.

Feel relieved when I get outside the cubicle. Naghilamos muna ako at akma na sanang lalabas nang biglang may pumasok. And with that, my blood got easily boiled.

She faced the big mirror, pretending that she didn't saw me. How I love to pull her long hair with my hands and gripped it hard. Grr.

Akma na sana akong lalabas dahil baka matutuhanan ko pa ang nasa isip ko pero masyado talagang mapaglaro ang babaeng 'to.

"Masakit ba?" may mapang-asar na ngiti na nakapaskil sa mga labi nito na mas lalong nakapagpapakulo ng dugo ko.

Huminga ako nang malalim at pilit na kinalma ang sarili. As long as I can handle, I don't want to make a scandal with this bratty girl.

"How about you? Masaya ka na ba?" diretso akong tumingin sa mga mata nito.

Mahina itong natawa. "Of course! Hell, I would love to throw a party for myself for winning this game!"

"Hindi ako kailanman nakipag-kompetensya sa 'yo, Vienna." matigas kong wika.

Sumeryoso ito. "Well that's what I see. Hanggang kailan ka ba magpapaka-anghel sa pamilya natin Azeyah Min?"

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Matagal bago ako makasagot agad. "You're such a bird headed."

Malakas itong tumawa. "Bakit ba kasi 'di mo masagot ang tanong ko? Are you hurt? How many nights did you cry hmm?"

"Shut up."

Alam kong sinusubukan lang akong pikunin ng babaeng 'to kaya bilang nasa tamang pag-iisip pa ay mas mabuting 'wag nalang pumatol pa. I don't want her to think that I'm still in love with my ex. Maybe I still love him, but not the same like before.

Pinagkrus nito ang mga braso at nakataas ang kilay na tumingin sa 'kin. "Just accept the fact that you can claim everything but not the word love, Azeyah. Ang problema kasi sa 'yo, akala mo lahat makukuha mo kasi gusto mo. But Derick already proved it to you and I hope you already learned your lesson."

Ilang minuto pa itong tumitig sa 'kin bago naunang lumabas ng pinto. I harshly blew a breath and uttered a curse before I walked outside the bathroom. That girl.

Nakita kong nag-uusap sina Ate Yexxa and Kuya Aron nang makabalik ako kung saan ko sila iniwan kanina.

"Let's go, it's almost five o'clock in the afternoon." My Kuya announced.

Ate Yexxa smiled and hand me some paper bags. "For you,"

I smiled as I accepted it. "Thanks."

Kuya Aron drove us home. I choosed to lived in my penthouse and I'm just visiting my parents every weekend. Sometimes, they are the one who visited me.

"Thank you for tonight, Kuya!" I kissed him on his left cheek.

Nauna na naming ihatid si Ate Yexxa sa condo unit niya but I bet susunod din do'n ang kapatid ko. Syempre, they missed each other. No wonder what will may the next scene.

I wake up in the next morning feeling better. I rested a lot last night so I'm in a good mood now. I keep my mind filled with good vibes and positive thoughts and throw the shits inside my head.

I ate breakfast before taking a bath in the bathroom. I stared my reflection in the big mirror of my room as I put my clothes on.

I can't avoid thinking the moments I had this past months and years. I was happy. I'm happy with him and feel contented at the same time. Sometimes I keep asking myself if I did something wrong? Did I make him disappointed at me to the point that he got enough to me and find another?

I blew a heavy breath and continue putting my clothes on. I should have not thinking about him. We're already over and I need to accept that. He doesn't love me anymore. I did not complete him. How f**k he is.

Holding my sling bag and my car key, I walked outside of my room. I get my tumbler first in the dining table before I walked outside the house. I locked the door first before I went to the garage where my sedan car placed.

I connect my phone to the stereo so that I can play a music while driving. I'm just listening music and humming a bit when I received a call from my friend, Kimberly.

"Azeyah speaking..."

"Hello Eyah? Can you be in a hurry now? Kunti nalang talaga at mababanas na Ang pasensya ko sa lalaking 'to eh!" She said out in frustration.

Kimberly is actually my partner in managing the clinic and was a close friend of mine also. We decided to build a clinic for wounded and sick pets since we're same pet lovers. It's a big help then naman since we're licensed animal doctors.

"Who's guy? I don't have any appointment with a guy this day.." I asked in confusion.

As far as I remember, hindi lalaki ang nakalagay sa appointment ko this day.

"Basta! Bilisan mo dahil kapag ako nabanas dito, isasara ko talaga 'tong clinic!"

I laughed a little when she hang up. I think I know who's that guy that she pertaining to. Napailing nalang ako bago binilisan ang pagmamaneho. Good thing na walang traffic kaya agad akong nakarating.

I saw Kim standing at the door of my office. I know she's already pissed now but she managed to put a smile on her lips. Such a plastic.

"There, Eyah!" she gave me a meaningful look.

I arched my right brow to her, trying to understand her.

"Why?" I uttered.

She rolled her eyes. "You better handle him. I gotta go na, I have patients pa sa kabila." aniya.

I didn't get a chance to respond when she start walking away from me. She's wearing maong skirt that above her knee with her pink doctor coat but I know that she's wearing a crop top inside. Seriously this girl. Tinignan ko muna ang mahaba niyang kulot na buhok na bagong kulay na naman, it's now chestnut brown and I can't deny the fact that it suits to her very well. Napailing nalang ako bago pumasok sa loob ng opisina ko.

"Good morning, Eyah."

Napatingin ako sa lalaking komportableng nakaupo sa mahabang sofa ng opisina ko. I'm standing a meters away from him and I can smell his lacoste scent. Lihim akong napangiwi dahil sa tapang ng amoy niyon.

"Good morning, Drimo." I tried to smile at him nicely as I reached my desk and put my sling bag and tumbler on the top of it.

"I have something for you," tumayo ito at naglakad palapit sa gawi ko.

From his back, I saw the three red roses he's holding. I actually didn't noticed it as I entered my office a while ago.

"W-What's that?" I dumbly asked.

I heard him smoothly laugh. "Roses for you..."

I actually don't want to accept the flowers because I'm afraid that he might give it meaning but I have no choice. I don't want him to feel embarrassed.

"T-Thank you,"

I saw him smiled but I avoid my eyes on him.

This past few days, I actually noticed his moves to me. Drimo is actually my classmate when I was a college student. Alam kong doon palang ay may pagtingin na ito sa 'kin but I tried to ignore it, especially that Derick was courting me that time.

And now that me and Derick was over, I know that he's slowly putting his self on me again and I don't want that. I don't want to enter a relationship again, or maybe I don't want to enter anymore.

He was about to speak when the door suddenly opened. Kapwa kami napatingin doon hanggang sa pumasok ang isang matangkad na lalaki na may bitbit na isang pusa.

"Oh, I was about to inform her about your appointment but you're already here.." Drimo said to the guy.

My mouth slowly formed 'o' when I familiarized who's that guy! It's the guy in the mall yesterday! The CEO of that freaking mall!

I don't know but I automatically avoid my eyes on him. Maybe I just realized now what I have done to him yesterday! I should have not shouted at him!

"Eyah, he's Demir. My younger brother..."