The Best Revenge

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

“There’s no place like my bed.” I threw myself flat on the bed. I grabbed a pillow and embraced it tightly. I smiled as I inhaled the comfy scent of its fabric. It was pretty big, so it covered a part of my face.

Little by little, the tension in the atmosphere slowly eased. I had just got home from school. I hadn’t changed my clothes yet; I was still wearing my uniform. In usual scenarios, it would be a white blouse paired with the plaid miniskirt, kneesocks, and a pair of three-inch black shoes. But because of what happened at the cafeteria, I changed into my PE uniform.

I sighed as I recalled what had happened earlier – I lost my lunch because of some arrogant skater. Truth be told, if only he uttered an apology,  I was willing to forgive him for what he did to my food. But I could not stand his arrogance and lack of remorse. Instead of admitting his fault, he stood tall with his pride. And I just can’t understand why there are people like him. I know it was wrong of me to punch him in the face. I nearly got suspended for doing that, but I don’t regret much of it. I feel like he deserved it.

“Arghh!” I buried my face on the pillow and screamed out the last bits of frustration in my system.

“Hija? It’s Dad.” Dad knocked on my door. “Can I come in?” he softly asked.

“Come in, Dad!” I then quickly put the pillow down and sat up to fix myself. He probably has heard about what I had done.

“Hi, Dad!” I greeted him the moment he stepped into my room. “What can I do for you, my old man?” I joked to lighten up the mood.

“Nothing much, hija.” Dad smiled. “I just came to check on you before I leave for my flight,” he added.

“You’re leaving again?” I asked. I couldn’t hide the sadness in my voice. I’m a teenager now, but I still can’t get used to having Dad leave.

“Y-yes, hija.” He nodded and slowly walked towards my bed. “I just need to handle some matters for a few weeks.” He then sat on the edge of my bed and held my hand.

“Can I snuck myself in your luggage?” I proposed, making my old man chuckle.

“I wouldn’t want to get detained at the immigration,” he laughingly replied and then gave me a small embrace.

Dad’s hug felt warm, and I almost did not want to let him go. Though he and I weren’t that close, I love him dearly. I don’t want him to leave.

When I was young, I would always tell mom that we should sneak ourselves inside Dad’s luggage to take us with him. Being my partner in crime, Mom would try to ride along with me, but we couldn’t bring our plan to life no matter what we did. Dad would always catch us. In the end, I would end up crying buckets of tears, and my parents would comfort me by making a promise that we’d go to Disneyland when Dad came home. Those days were some of the best in my life.

“Then can we go to Disneyland after your trip?” I pouted like a child.

Dad then reached for my hair and patted me on the head.

“My Anna . . .” He smiled as he caressed my cheeks. “You’ve grown up, yet you still have the same heart.” He chuckled. “Pure and innocent, just like your mom.”

“Just a little bigger, though,” I chipped in. “I got it from you,” I added, and Dad laughed.

Other than my hobby of watching the sunrise, my size sets me different from others of my age. I am a tall and voluptuous girl. I got it from Dad’s side of the family.

“And a fighter,” Dad said. “I heard about what happened.” He looked me in the eye.

“Are you going to scold me now?” I asked.

“Why would I?” He chuckled in reply. “I know you very well, hija. You were only trying to defend yourself.” He smiled.

“But next time, let’s try to minimize the fist,” he said, and I chuckled.

A few minutes later, Nana Helen came and informed us that dinner was ready. Dad and I then made our way to the dining area to eat. After that, I helped Nana with some chores before going back to my bedroom to freshen up.

“I still can’t believe you punched that guy, though!” Scarlett spoke from the other line. I was in the middle of drying my hair when she FaceTimed me. “You were like Baymax in beast mode!” she added.

“Really, Scar?” I boredly looked at her. “Did you just call to tell me that?”

“Not really.” She shook her head and smiled. “I called to tell you that I’ll be visiting tomorrow!” She then squealed with excitement.

“You’re going to bake cookies tomorrow, right?” she asked with glistening hopeful eyes.

I then rolled my eyes and chuckled. “Didn’t you say you were going to cut your calorie intake?”

“Tomorrow’s an exception.” She smiled. “I’ll just start on Sunday. I wouldn’t want to miss the cookies.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“You better be up early cause I’ll head there right after I finish breakfast!” she said. “Oh, right! You’re an early riser!” She clapped. “Earlier than the sun!”

THE NEXT DAY, as expected, Scarlett was late again. It was eleven by the time she got to the house.

“Your definition of early sure is unique.” I laughed.

“The world only needs two early beings – the sun and you,” she replied. “And besides, I slept a little late last night. I binged watch Sherlock Holmes,” she proudly boasted.

“By the way, where’s everybody?” she asked when she noticed that there wasn’t anyone else around other than us.

“Nana Helen and Ate Linda went to buy groceries. Kuya Lando is driving Dad to the airport,” I replied before walking my way back to the kitchen.

“So it’s just the two of us?” She walked behind me.

“Unless you can see someone that I can’t, the answer is yes,” I playfully replied.

-

“Are they not ready yet?” Scarlett whined as she spun herself around. She was sitting on a swivel chair across the kitchen counter with her eyes set on the baking cookies in the oven.

“The more you wait, the more time it takes.” I chuckled as I cleaned the kitchen counter. “Just let them bake there. You wouldn’t want to eat raw ones, right?” I added.

She then sighed and looked me in the eye. “You know I’m not very patient, Anna.” She pouted.

“Sorry, Scar, but I can’t do anything to solve your problem,” I laughingly replied.

“Speaking of the problem, after what happened at the cafeteria, you pretty much became the talk of the town,” she said. “My team was talking about how brave and cool you were!”

“Can you do me a favor?” I looked her in the eye. “Kindly tell them to shut up,” I said. “I can’t risk everyone knowing about my true identity,” I added.

“What Identity?” Scarlett furrowed her brows and gave me a confused look.

“I’m an assassin spy.” I winked in reply.

Scarlett then squinted her eyes. “That is why I re

ally disagree with people’s first impression of you. You’re far from being silent and serious.”

I then just shrugged and let out a small laugh.