MARRY THE BILLIONAIRE MAN

Chapter 11: Doubts and Fears

Isabella’s POV

Matapos ang masayang gathering, akala ko magiging smooth sailing na ang lahat. Pero unti-unti, naramdaman ko ang mga doubts at fears na bumabalot sa isip ko. Parang nagiging madali ang lahat, pero nag-aalala ako na baka bigla na lang magbago ang sitwasyon.

Isang gabi, nakaupo ako sa kwarto ko, nag-aaral para sa upcoming exams. Pero kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko maiwasang ma-distract ng mga worries ko. “What if I mess up?” tanong ko sa sarili ko. “What if they realize na hindi pa ako ready for all this?”

Tumayo ako at naglakad-lakad sa kwarto. Naisip ko ang mga responsibilidad na iniwan ko kay Papa at Mama, at parang nagiging heavy ang pressure sa akin. Kahit na sinubukan kong maging positive, hindi ko maalis ang mga negative thoughts na naglalaro sa isip ko.

Nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko. It was Claire, nagtext: “Hey, are you okay? You seem off lately.”

Nang makita ko ang message niya, napaisip ako. “Should I tell her?” Naisip ko. Maybe it’s time to open up. I quickly typed back, “I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

A few minutes later, tumawag siya. “Isabella, let’s meet up. I feel like you need to talk.”

Pagdating namin sa café, umupo kami sa isang sulok. Nag-order ako ng hot chocolate, hoping na makapag-relax kahit konti. Claire looked at me intently, her eyes filled with concern. “So, ano na? Tell me what’s bothering you.”

Kumagat ako ng labi, trying to gather my thoughts. “Claire, sa lahat ng efforts ko para ipakita sa kanila na responsible ako, what if hindi ko kaya?” I sighed heavily. “What if they see me as just a kid na nag-aaksaya ng oras?”

Nakita kong umiling si Claire. “Isabella, hindi ka na bata. You’ve grown so much. Huwag kang matakot na ipakita ang sarili mo. Wala namang perpekto, and that’s okay.”

“But what if they start doubting me again?” tanong ko, my voice shaking a bit. “I really want to prove myself, pero sa isip ko, parang ang dami kong kulang.”

“Listen,” Claire said firmly. “Doubts are normal. Everyone has them. Even your parents. Pero just keep doing your best. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help if you need it.”

Her words were comforting, but the fear still lingered. “What if they realize that I’m still learning and that I’m not as capable as they think?”

“Then show them na willing ka to learn and grow,” she replied. “Just be honest about your feelings. Trust is built not just on success, but also on communication.”

Nang bumalik ako sa bahay, may dalang bagong mindset. Pero habang tinatahak ko ang hallway, parang bumalik ang doubts ko. I could feel my heart racing, and my thoughts swirled around like a storm. “Baka hindi nila maintindihan,” I whispered to myself.

Umupo ako sa living room kung saan naroon si Mama. She was busy with her phone, pero nung nakita niya ako, tinanong niya, “Is everything okay, Isabella?”

“Uh, yeah,” sagot ko, trying to sound casual. Pero deep inside, I wanted to tell her everything—my fears, my worries, my need for reassurance.

But then I thought, maybe it’s not the right time. Baka hindi pa nila matanggap na nag-aalala ako. It felt like I was holding a heavy burden, and I didn’t know how to let it out.

Nang makaalis siya, huminga ako ng malalim. “Kaya ko ‘to,” sabi ko sa sarili ko. “Kaya ko.”

Pero deep down, alam kong kailangan kong harapin ang mga fears ko. Kailangan kong matutunan na hindi ko kailangan maging perpekto para sa kanila.

Trust takes time, I reminded myself, and I had to be patient—not just with them, but with myself as well.