Beyond the Beat

Chapter 19

“f**k, f**k them!” I shouted, my voice raw with anger as I clenched my hair, frustration ripping through me.

“Mga putang Ina n’yo!” I yelled again, unable to hold back. I tossed my books across the room, crashing onto the floor amid the storm of emotions flooding me.

I don’t know anymore. I just want to disappear right here, right now. It’s all too much. Why? Chion’s unexpected confession hits me like a punch: I have a f*****g stepbrother. Tang Ina talaga. I really thought Zamboanga City would be my fresh start, my way out of all my parents’ lies and cruelty. But am I kidding myself?

“Arghhh!!” I screamed into the empty room.

My phone vibrated sharply on the table. Cringg… Someone’s calling. Of course, it’s them. My damn parents. Who else?

I grabbed my phone from my bag and answered, my voice cold and distant.

“What? Are you happy now?” I shot back, biting my words like ice.

My hands trembled with clenched fists, teeth grinding as anger and pain burned inside me.

“Ma’am, Foodpanda delivery po ito. And you have an order, ma’am,” a man’s calm voice said on the line.

“What? I didn’t order anything. What the hell is this? Is this some kind of scam?” I thought, bewildered and irritated.

“Sorry, but I didn’t order anything, sir,” I replied, voice still sharp and cold.

“Oh, okay po, labas na lang kayo ma'am and I cancel to” the delivery rider said.

“Fine,” I answered shortly, my mind still spinning.

I hung up and sat back down, the walls closing in. Every word, every secret, every new betrayal felt like a weight crushing my chest. I was drowning in a world I thought I had a chance to escape, but no matter where I went, the darkness followed.

I stumbled toward the door, feeling completely lost. Wala sa sarili naglalakad ako. I didn’t care how I looked. Mukha na ba akong tanga? Namumugto ang mga mata ko, gulo-gulo ang buhok ko. All I wanted was to escape this pain, to forget everything for a moment.

I turned the door handle and opened it, expecting the delivery driver. But instead, there stood Eros right in front of me. His eyes wide with shock, jaw clenched tight. He scanned me from head to toe, carrying a Jollibee bag in his hand.

I couldn’t believe it, he was here.

“What are you doing here, Eros?” I whispered, my voice weak, on the edge of breaking. I felt like crying but tried to hold it inside.

But instead of answering, he stepped forward and wrapped me in a warm hug.

“Shh, andito na ako, Lumi,” he whispered softly.

The moment I heard those words, everything inside me shattered. Tears spilled down my cheeks without control, like a dam breaking after holding back a flood for too long. All the frustration, the hurt, the confusion. They poured out in sobs that shook my entire body.

In his arms, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time, safety. Like he was the only place where I belonged, my home in a world that suddenly felt so cruel and uncertain.

“Eros…” I breathed out, my voice barely more than a whisper.

And I cried. I cried like I never had before, releasing all the pain I’d been carrying alone. In that hug, I found a moment of peace, a fragile comfort that reminded me I wasn’t completely lost after all.

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, wrapped up in silence and the weight of everything unsaid. I could feel Eros’s steady, heavy breath against me, his heartbeat racing just as fast as mine. After a few quiet minutes, we finally decided to go inside.

Eros didn’t say a word, but his presence was everything I needed at that moment. We sat down in the living room, and he carefully took out the food he brought. Gently, he opened the paper bag and placed the meals on my little table: a C1 spicy with spaghetti, a coke float, and a yum burger.

Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly. I hadn’t eaten all day.

“Eat, Lumi,” Eros said softly but with a seriousness that shook me.

I nodded like a small child, grateful and obedient. As I ate, I felt his eyes watching me, his jaw clenched tight. I could tell he wanted to ask why I looked like this, so tired, so broken, but he held back. He gave me the silence I needed, respecting my space even while being so close.

After I finished, I mustered the courage to ask, “Did you eat already?”

He just nodded quietly.

When he finally left, it was with gentle concern in his eyes. He told me he was worried because I didn’t wait for him earlier and that we didn’t go home together. And about my number, he said he got it from Dean. So they were close? I didn’t know what to make of that.

Before leaving, Eros had quietly cleaned up the mess I made in the living room, despite my protests. He insisted, patient and caring. I even hid my vape from him, though the scent of it lingered heavily in the room.

Later, after I finally took a shower, I realized tomorrow was a weekend, no school, no need to hide these swollen eyes. For once, I felt a brief moment of relief. In all the chaos, Eros had given me a sliver of calm, and for that, I was silently thankful.

I woke up at noon, and a smile was plastered across my face. f**k me, this isn’t my usual self anymore. The cold and distant Lumi felt gone. I felt like my walls were slowly breaking down because of Eros. Is he Anna? And am I Elsa because he’s my weakness? Hahaha. The heck, I murmured in my mind.

Beep.

Someone texted me.

I opened my phone and Eros’ name appeared. I saved his number last night. My cheeks flushed instantly as memories of how he hugged me so tight, like he never wanted to let go, flooded my mind.

“Iw, disgusting Lumi, what the hell, are you daydreaming?” I murmured to myself, shaking my head.

I read his message: Kita tayo Maya 3pm.

I frowned but felt a flutter in my chest. “What the hell, Lumi,” I murmured again.

Me: Ok.

I replied shortly.

Eros: Are you okay now?

I almost dropped my phone; I didn’t expect him to reply that fast. Is he so eager for my replies? The hell.

My hands trembled slightly as I grabbed my phone again, but I still typed back.

Me: Thank you.

Short reply, but inside, I wanted to say, I appreciate you.

But I wasn't about to let him think I was already falling for him. Ew, that’s not my style, I’m still the cold Lumi.

Eros: Wala yon, basta ikaw.

My chest warmed at his simple words.

Eros: Kumain ka na ba?

I smiled, an idiotic smile growing on my lips.

Me: Nope.

Eros: Magluto kana diyan, Lumina Maldita ko.

I smirked, muttering, “Tss. This asshole.”

I ignored his last message and didn’t reply anymore, but my lips kept smiling like an i***t.

Even though I tried to act tough, every message made me feel seen and appreciated. And yes, a little flutter of kilig I wasn’t ready to admit. It was new and weird, but honestly… kind of nice.