Embracing The Lies

The first lie THE unstoppable sound of the alarm clock awakened my whole system. I stopped it as soon as I reached it from the table beside my bed. Kanina pa ako gising,naunahan ko pa ang alarm clock. But anyway, maybe I am just too excited to attend the class that I haven’t slept so well because you knowwww, aaaack! Online classes no more! I didn’t think twice anymore but excitedly rose from the bed and grabbed my phone on the charger corner. Dali-dali kong tinungo ang group chat naming magkaibigan. Malamang sa malamang, excited na rin ang mga 'to. Who wouldn't? Online classes suck. It was so draining. I only passed for the sake of deadlines and my grades, of course. Magfo-fourth year college na nga ako nang walang alam, normal pa ba 'yon? I shrugged and read some of the previous convos of them. unaided btches Vina: See you at the canteen!! Walang late please. Mabaog ang malate. Sorscha: Tangina kakagisijng ko lanh Vina: buti pa mura mo 'di typo, 'no? Sorscha: At least type ako! Vina: Malande, 'di naman nagtatagal. Vina: BAHALA KAYO DIYAN ANG MA LATE MANLIBRE NG ISANG BUWAN! I laughed at their conversations and immediately turned off my phone when I saw that it's already 7:58 am. Ayaw ko mabaog, 'no! Lalo na't ayaw ko manlibre. Ang gastos pa naman nila. Alas nuebe first-class namin at buti na lang malapit ang university dito sa amin. It only takes one ride to get there. Since I'm already a college student, a uniform is unnecessary to us. I just wore a casual gray sweater, tucked in with a black skirt that was above the knee. I paired it with my white adidas shoes, and I'm ready! I just let my hair down because I have no time to do the air-blow. Before I forget, I put some powder on my face, did my brows, and put a burgundy-colored tint. I kept all of my things in my bag and went downstairs. "Anong oras ka uuwi?" I heaved a big sigh when I saw my stepmom standing at the door with crossed arms. Not gonna lie, I have the strictest stepmother in the world. "I don't know my schedule yet, mom, pero siguro uuwi naman ako kaagad 'pagkatapos ng klase," I almost whispered. "She's not gonna go home that immediately, and probably she's gonna make landi." Tinignan ko step-sister ko at sinamaan ng tingin. The one I hated the most. "Be home at 6." I looked at her confusedly. "Mom?! We never know the sched—" "I don't care!" God! I'm already 21 year's old, for pete's sake, and they are still treating me like I don't deserve to enjoy my life! I didn't even have the chance to hang out with my friends because of following her all around. Kahit nga mag-overnight ay hindi ko magawa. Kaya gustong-gusto ko na matapos ang online class 'e because I'm so sick living this house. A house is maybe a home for others, but not for me. "Can I ask for my allowance?" I spoke softly not minding my anger. Wala naman akong magagawa 'e. Tinignan niya lang ako. "No allowance." "What?! Hindi pwede. Anong ipanggagastos ko, mom?" Halos pasigaw kong sabi dahil sa pagkagulat. Sinamaan niya lang ako ng tingin at hindi na pinansin. Narinig ko tawa ni Alicia kaya napaharap ako sa kaniya. She just smirked at me then went upstairs. I took a deep sigh and rolled my eyes. Whatever, I have a bank account naman. I was about to leave when mom spoke. "I closed your account. Kasalukuyan nasa akin pera mo." "But why?" I asked, almost shouting. "Why not? You are not even my child, why would I support you?" I felt like my blood boiled up upon hearing her words. I closed my fist, bit my lip and looked up to stop my tears from falling. I was lucky it didn't fall, so I had a chance to face her, still. "But it was my dad's money!" I couldn't hold my voice from raising. "So? He let me took in-charge of the house. AKO. ANG. MASUSUNOD. Eto, 1k! Bahala ka diyan!" Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Kinuha ko ang pera at padabog akong umalis sa bahay. F*ck this house! F*ck this family! I saw my car parking at the garage but I just passed at it. I have no keys. I have no license. I have nothing. That was my birthday gift from my dad before he went to barko. Hindi ko man lang magamit dahil pagka-alis niya ay kinuha nila ang lahat sa akin. Isang taon na naman hindi makontak si dad dahil captain siya doon. Hay, I wish mom is here. I shouldn't be living in this miserable life with my evil step-peps. Nakarating ako sa campus na nakabusangot ang mukha. Bago pa ako makarating sa pwesto nila Vina ay dumaldal na kaagad sila. "Late ka! Libre mo kami—— punyeta ano nangyari sa'yo?!" Kaagad na sabi ni Sorscha at lumapit sa akin. Pinaupo niya ako at kitang-kita ko ang pag-alala sa mga mukha nila. "Stepmom and stepsister?" Vina coldly asked and sipped his tea. I nodded. Alam na nila na 'pag ganito mukha ko galing bahay, may nangyari na naman. Lahat lahat ng pag-aalipusta, pahirap at maltrato sa akin ay alam nilang dalawa. Kaya wala rin akong takas 'pag-magsinungaling pa ako. The fact that I hate liars. Ayaw na ayaw ko pa naman sa lahat ang mga taong sinungaling... kaya hinding-hindi ko 'yon gagawin. "Tanginang Alicia 'yan, makita ko lang dito sa campus sasabunotan ko talaga 'yan!" Si Sorscha. "Kagandang babae nagmumura." Napatingin kami sa kalalakihan na dumaan sa pwesto namin. Hindi rin nakaligtas ang sinabi nila kay Sorscha dahil hinarap niya kaagad ang mga ito. "Alam niyo? Putangina niyo," malutong niyang sabi at ngumiti nang napakatamis, at pumakyo kaagad. I face-palmed. Kung kasama ko talaga si Sorscha, makakahanap kami ng away. She's just so brave. Halos lahat nang nakakakilala sa kaniya ay takot. "Sorscha, halika nga. Kaya ka pinagkakamalang tomboy 'e." Saway ni Vina. Tumawa lang si Sorscha at umupo. "Pasensya na kayo, na-miss ko lang talaga ang school at mga gwapo dito!" Kilig niyang sambit. We never spoke again because of the ring of the bell. All we did in class was to introduce ourselves even if we, classmates, know each other for the past 3 years. Nag-online class lang naman, kilala pa rin namin sila. It was 5 pm when the last subject ended. I fixed my things and decided to go cafeteria to buy some lumpiang shanghai. Nagugutom ako pero kailangan ko magtipid dahil wala akong pera. Lumpa costs only 15 pesos, the cheapest yet it was a nice food. Mabilis lang naman ang pagbili, at 6 lang naman curfew ko. Papasok pa lang ako sa cafeteria may nakita akong liwanag malapit sa basurahan. It's just a small piece of glitter that keeps on sparkling. I reached it and got shocked when I saw it. It was a ring! A ring that has four little diamonds engraved within. Hindi siya maumbok na makikita mo talaga, kundi nakasalubsob lang ang diamond sa ring. Malalaman mo talaga na mamahalin 'to. Kanino kaya ito? I almost drop it when the continuous running students passed by me. "Seriously?! The couple is here?!" asked by the woman behind me. Mukhang may ganap sa cafeteria dahil madaming nagtatakbohan papunta doon. I glanced at the ring and put it on my engagement finger. Just gonna give it to lost and found later. Kakain muna ako ng lumpia. I noticed the crowded people inside the cafeteria as if there's something to be watched there. Napangiwi ako dahil sa mismong pwesto pa sila ng lumpia ko gumugulo. Argh! I continued walking towards them and saw a lot of broadcasts media, recording the two beautiful people. The woman was in her curly blonde hair, white sexy maxi dress that definitely saw her curve and cleavage paired with silver heels. She's so pretty, I envy her so much. Mukha pa lang ay mabango na. Meanwhile the guy was in his black tuxedo. I don't know what he looked like because he was facing to the woman. But looking from behind, you can sense that's he's a good-looking guy. Tindig niya palang, malakas na. Well, I have no time for this because I'm gonna go home. I locked my eyes when I saw the lumpia in the stall a little far away from. Target unlocked! "Excuse me, excuse me." I pushed every students blocking the way. I'll do everything just to get inside. Hindi naman ako nahirapan lumusot dahil busy sila kakavideo sa dalawa. The woman is just waving her hand, smiling at the crowd. While the man was still standing and didn't even bother to look at us. He was looking at the not-so-old woman whom I assumed his mom, and that mom keeps on glaring at him. Katakot. I continued pushing people just to get my lumpia. "Omg, they are really perfect for each other." "Pwede na ako mamataaaaay." I scoffed when I heard some of their comments. Duh, they are not even worth dying for. Gano'n ba sila ka sikat ba halos lahat dito gustong-gusto sila makita? "Manang, isang lumpia nga po," kaagad kong sabi nang makarating ako sa pwesto ng lumpia. But she wasn't listening. She was so focused to the two people infront of her. I was about to call her out again but a host's question stopped me from continuing my words. "Is it true that you're gonna propose to her but the ring was nowhere to be found?" "Oh s**t!" I shouted because of the shock, so I awkwardly faced them. But I regretted facing them beacause I caught their attention. Oh, no. Napatakip ako ng bibig nang makita ko ang lalaking nakatingin sa akin. He had a sea rover-blue eyes that caught my attention. His bristly eyebrows, hawkish nose that other men envious, and half-dome cheekbones sat above an concrete jaw. Even had a messy quiff haircut that perfectly suits on his face. Everything was perfect. He's too good to be real... or am I praising him that much? He possessed a latent, leonine power and stood with purpose and authority. He was like a male model and he should be. After facing him, I instantly turned my back at them and faced manang. "Manang, isang lumpia po," I said as soon as she looked at me. Tama 'tong ginagawa ko para maalis ang atensyon nila sa akin. Kasi ba naman! Baka itong singsing ang hinahanap nila? Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin na "Hey! Your ring is here!" Parang tanga naman ako no'n at baka mapagkamalan pang magnanakaw! Pashnea. "You can't ask him like that," said by the girl whom I assumed his partner. "It should be surprised," she jokingly said and everyone laughed as if she made a laughable joke. Joke na 'yon? "Stop this Claire." A massive deep voice made the crowd silent. "What's happening?" The girl, who's currently recording beside me, asked. Tinignan ko si manang at busy pa rin sa panunuod na kaninang nakangiting labi ay nakakunot-noo na. Manang 'yong lumpia ko! Kagigil naman 'to oh. Ano, magtitinda kami o maki-chismis? "What are you saying, babe?" I heard woman's voice. Dahan-dahan akong tumingin sa kanila at nakita ko kung paano kaalala ang mukha ng babae. Aww, she's so pure to be hurt. The man faced the crowd and even focused his gaze at the broadcast. "There's no proposal surprise because I already proposed to the woman I love." The crowd's eyes widened and even their mouth as well. "Omg! They are my favorite loveteam celebrities! This can't be!" Someone commented, almost crying. So, are they celebrities? Why didn't I know about them? Nasa tamang planeta ba talaga ako? "What are you saying?!" The woman almost shouted, yet still holding her voice. I saw how the man's mom reacted. She even mouthed, "Stop." to his son. "I'm sorry mom..." the man started. He then looked at Claire, "I'm sorry Claire... I'm sorry guys," he said as I looked to the public. "I kept it to all of you because she doesn't want me to lose my career. She just love me that much that she's willing to hide our relationship," he spoke and shrugged his shoulder. The noise became louder even more. "Maximmo!" His mother eyed at him. It was so obvious in her eyes that she was so angry by what her son currently doing. "Mom. I'm really sorry. She's actually here." If the noise are louder earlier, it went more louder even now. "Omg, is this a prank?" "Hanapin niyo camera guys, baka naprank tayo." "They are really good at acting. Nasasaktan na ako! Huhu." "Babe, we already plan our marriage right?" The blonde hair who was called Claire held his hand. But, the Maximmo refused it that made the public woah in chorus. "You, Maximmo planned to propose her in this school of yours!" Her mom walked towards him and said all of those words silently, but just enough for me to hear it since I'm almost near to them. "Nasa art room pa nga ang proposal. Everything was on set there, the guys were just waiting for you to come! But what were you doing?! Nauna pa si Claire doon and we took 10 minutes only to found out you were eating in this cafeteria! At ito sasabihin mo sa kaniya ngayon?!" Mabilis na sabi ng ina niya at halata sa mga mukha nito na hindi mapigilan ang gigil. "I'm really sorry mom. The purpose I went here is to look after my girl," he sadly admitted. "Then show me the girl!" She shouted. The man's eyes wondering around. Seeing his eyes makes my heart feel his pain. You can really see that he's in distress. Aww. It's kinda hurt to see a man hurting. But I don't have time for this, 30 minutes na lang 6 na. Naasaan na ba sila Vina at Sorscha? For the last time, I faced manang. Nagugutom na talaga ako. Sana ngayon mabigyan na ako ng lumpia nang makaalis. "Manang, isang lumpia lang please—" "The girl with a gray sweater." I froze the moment I heard his voice. And for a second, I felt like all of the eyes were looking at me. Slowly I turned my back and faced them, but regretted it again when I saw the man they called Maximmo standing right infront of me, smiling. Shocks! The next thing I knew, he held my hand and raised it. "See this diamond ring on her finger? It's a proof that she's my girl." Then, he glanced at me with his eyes flickering and a smirk smile.