Between The Lines

Introducing: HER

It hasn't been long since i heard that my mom invited that man again, sa birthday party ko pa. It was hard for me to accept the fact that i will see him again. I don't accept it of course. There goes another manipulation and humiliation.

I am tired. I am tired of living that life. Hindi ako pinanganak para maging isang puppet o utusan. I never wished to be born. But then again, i had no choice but to accept the reality that i can never change the faith my parents try to give me.

But why can't they even feel it? Bakit hindi nila maramdaman ang nararamdaman ko? Why can't they be parents for once? Bakit hindi sila ang tumuntong sa katayuan ko? Sa kalagayan ko ngayon? Para naman maramdaman naman nila kung paano ipagpilitan sa ayaw naman.

And now....

I am looking at myself in the mirror full of sadness in my eyes. It's my birthday but i never even had the chance to be happy.

My Formal Square neck sequin lace-up midi dress, my straightened hair, and my make up doesn't even match what i am feeling right now. Well, it takes up a lot of time just to get this look. Halos hindi na magkandaugaga ang aking mga stylist. But here i am looking like a spoiled kid who doesn't even appreciate anything and anyone.

Nang makalabas na ako sa aking room, dumiretso na ako sa baba kung saan ang venue. Well, i am at a hotel owned by my parents.

I sighed, i saw a lot of crowds. I guess i would be stuck here for a while not unless a miracle would happen for once in my lifetime. But then, i don't mind the people at all. They are all strangers, just attending the party to collect some investors. Every businessman I know here just takes every party as their own opportunity,.

Crazy people.

Naghanap ako ng upuan habang ang aking mga mata ay naghahanap ng waiter the lace was overcrowding. Hindi ko na tuloy mahanap ang mga crew dito.

I just want to drink some cocktails. That's it.

"Waiter!!!" I was so happy when i saw one kaya naman ay hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng panahon at tinawag ito.

When he came, I took two glasses of the drink he had in his tray. I thanked him and started drinking. Hindi ko pa nauubos ang aking inumin ay dumating na kaagd sila mama kasama si papa at si zach.

I sighed.

The party wrecker is here again.

"Wow! You look amazing tonight, Hija" I plastered a fake smile on my lips as awkwardness creep into my whole system seeing that asshole in front of mre like nothing happens.

And nt minding how weird he looks like. Hindi parin nawawala ang pagkabaduy niya pero nagawa niyang mambabae. The hell is wrong with this man.

"You know what, Hija. You two looked good together" Mom said.

Kunot-noo kong tinitigan si mama at tsaka napa-iling " Just looked at his aesthetic mom, Mukha ba kaming bagay? The way he overdresses. I want a neutral theme and he came here looking like a unicorn?"

Dad cleared his throat as a smile creeped into his lips. "Hija?" I rolled my eyes and didn't even bother to look at her.

"You know what, Cherry. I think we should go and greet our visitors" Sumingit na si Dad at binasag ang katahimikan.

I sighed out of relief. Salamat naman. Dad saved me.

Mom didn't even bother to say goodbye to me, she just hugged Zach and left. I smiled at my dad as he literally save me from mom. He smiled back and waved hi hand goodbye

Umupo ulit ak at tsaka tinitigan si Zach na aambang upo sa aking tabi. "You shouldn't be taking any step further or you'll ruin my day. I've waited this day for at least 365 days. Kaya binabalaan kita. Not my birthday, Zachary."

He chuckled and nodded. "Okay, i'll be staying here. I just wanna greet you happy birthday, love."

"Love?" I hissed and stood. Naglakad ako papalayo sa maraming tao at pumunta malapit sa buffet.

"Do you even hear yourself? You're f*****g disgusting." I cursed out loud not minding what would people say as his words triggers me. I do not love a man like him, who cheated and didn't even accpet his mistakes. Scumbag.

"Baby."

"Don't you f*****g dare call me with those endearments, you just f**k a w***e and you'll be coming here like a f*****g deer after being a f*****g dog?!"

He tooked a step forward but then i slapped him very hard that gets the attention of everyone afterall.

"Isa pang lapit. Isa pa!!" Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko habang dinuduro siya. I want to kill him so bad that i was imagining things while staring at him.

He frozed for a seconds and didn't utter any words. People starts gossiping and talking ahen suddenly, a part of the ceiling fell and a fire was starti the to spread rapidly.

My heart aches. Ang sikip ng dibdib ko habang unti-unting nalalanghap ang usok, everyone was in a messed. Nagpapanik na sila habang ako naman ay hindi makagalaw. They keeo pushing each other until someone bumped into me that made me fell on the floor.

Pero kesa sa magalit, a tear fell on my eyes. "I-i can't move." I whispered to myself and when i looked up, I don't see anyone. I just want to leave this place but i can't, i am totally having a panic attack just now.

Wala rin si Zach. He left.

"D-dad! M-mom! D-dad?!!" Dad, where are you?

I felt desperate while trying to stay in focus and fighting for the thoughts that keeps trying to reminisce. Sumikip pa lalo ang dibdib ko but then again, I can't move. "Is everyone okay? Nakalabas na ba ang lahat?" I heard a loud voice from a far, it's the guards voice.

"Oo wala na. Ako ang huli " I heard some random voice before another paet of the ceiling fell. I am here, why can't you see me?

I held onto my purse tightly while trying to figure out how to call for help. When i tried to stand up, a big part of the ceiling support fell that made me fall over again after losing my balance.

Wala na akong makita. It's too foggy.

Tinakpan ko ang aking ilong ng aking kamay habang hirap na humihinga. "M-mom?! Dad?! Are you there?!!" I heard some footsteps. A big footsteps are coming but I don't know where.

Before losing my consciousness, i felt someone carried me. I can't see it, my vision got blurred because of crying.