Nineteen

~NINETEEN~ "Life begins at the end of our comfort zone." Trixie Nathalia's P.O.V I am Trixie Nathalia Romualdez. Eighteen years old and I graduated Mass Communications. I grew up living with my brothers while my parents were working abroad. May kanya-kanyang pamilya na sila kuya at sariling bahay na din sila. Dalawa na lamang kami ni kuya na nakatira sa bahay. Of course, may mga pamangkin na din ako. Actually, I'm the youngest that's why until now am still single. But that's okay for me because in this way I could enjoy my life. I have freedom. Well, what I mean is I could hangout with my friends without being concern of telling this to a partner.How would I say that? My brother has always have to tell his girlfriend his whereabouts. He always tells me 'If you love each other, you'll respect each other's decision.' That was so unbelievable because when he was in college he kept on changing girlfriend every five months. That was so ridiculous. I hate that way of him before. Miracles do happen. Akalain mo nga naman nung naging sila ng present girlfriend niya eh tumino talaga. What if someone hurt me the way he hurt his girlfriends before? I wouldn't let anyone do it. Besides I didn't know his real reasons behind his actions. But, whatever it is, I know it won't never be right hurting a woman. He was very strict even before pero ngayong graduate na ako he let me hangout with my friends. One week after I graduated, nag-apply talaga ako. For what? Para naman may sarili akong pera na gagastusin and maranasan ko ng maging responsible for myself. Kuya Troy told me to rest at least a month pero di na ako nag-atubiling magpahinga pa. I know if I won't get a job I would probably be stucked in our house waiting for the sunrise and sunset. I basically don't want hanging out with my friends na kasama pa si kuya. Hindi na ako bata at mas lalong di ako princesa na kailangan lagi ng kasama. Oo, nag-iisa akong babae but I don't want the way they treated me. I want to make decisions on my own. It had a huge difference because I can hangout without him by my side. Pero tulad ng dati di ako pumupunta ng bar at umiinom ng alak. Minsan nag-aaway kami ni kuya Troy dahil sa attitude ko lalo na pag tumatakas ako sa kanya everytime na susunduin niya ako sa trabaho. Nagtrabaho pa ako tas susunduin lang ako na parang nag-aaral pa din at iyon ang ayaw ko. Hindi ko na din siya iniintindi pag nagagalit siya sa'kin. Ni hindi nga ako umiiyak. I just let him talk until siya na kusa ang magsawa. Claire Santiago is my best friend. Actually, a childhood friend. She's my total opposite. She is really different from me. She is very feminine and kind.She has a lot of suitors since grade six. She is really beautiful. But one time she told me 'Sometimes I'm very insecure to you' and I was like 'Huh?' And, if I would describe her, for me she's a total package compare to me na wala, mas gustong basic outfits. Mas pipiliin ko pa ang sneakers kaysa sa heels and sa casual outfits doon ako sa street style na basic jeans and shirt. Basta kung san lang ako comfortable stick ako doon. Since it's Saturday, we'll go out after work. "Where are we going later?" Claire asked. "Ask Trixie," Jake told. Jake ay isa sa officemates namin. "It's up to you. Remember I don't drink, basta pass ako pag inom," sabi ko. "Of course," sagot ni Claire. After work, we went to the place they've set up. I didn't know where it is. 'Where exactly this place?' On our way here, they're not telling me where we're heading. Like, it sounds really stupid. Di ko talaga alam ang dinadaanan namin. Jake told us that his friends will hangout with us. Di ko na nga alam kung saan ba itong byahe namin tas nagawa ko pang matulog. Sarap mo din kutusan self! Maybe, I was just tired dahil sa dami ng trabaho kanina. They started getting out of the car, so do I. I've read Intelle Bar. So, people who usually go here are intelligent? Kidding aside. Corny ko rin talaga eh, noh? "Don't tell me we're going inside?" may pagtataka kong tanong. "Of course. Hello! It's just this night, so you would absolutely experience being here," sagot ni Claire. "No! I won't go there. If you really want to, then go! Basta I'll just go home," mariin ko'ng pagtutol. Before Jake could say anything his friends came. They talked and later on nagkayayaan na silang pumasok. "Let's go. Don't worry they're harmless," biro pa nito sa akin. It would be ashamed for them if I wouldn't get inside,too. I have no choice but to go with them. Nang makapasok na kami, mga busy na sila sa pag-uusap ng kung ano mang topic nila. "By the way, my officemates, Claire and Trixie," pakilala niya sa amin. "Hi nice meeting you," lahad ni Claire ng kamay. They shook their hands. I couldn't easily talk because it was too crowded and noisy. One of Jake's friends approached me. " Hi I'm Christoph, Jake's classmate before," pakilala ng lalaki. "Hi ah.. nice meeting you," nahihiya kong inabot ang kamay niya. Nakipag-usap na agad si Claire doon sa Mike. Actually, Mike is one of Jake's friends. "Well, it seems that you doesn't want to be with us? You look uncomfortable," sabi ng lalaki. "Huh? Ah... it's not like that," naiilang kong sagot. "Do you drink?"tanong ni Luke sa akin. "Ah, nope," sagot ko sa kanya. Then someone stupid interrupted us. "Then why Claire, Jake and you were here? To talk or either eat? What's the sense of hanging out with us?" He said sarcastically. He really is stupid. "Actually Mr. Christopher I just don't have a choice that's why I'm here at this very moment. It is my first time hanging in this place and I'm not use to any alcoholic drinks," inis kong sabi. "Are you kidding me? You're here and telling me you're not drinking! Is that a kind of joke? Really? Sana sa food court ka nalang nagpunta," sarkastiko nitong sabi. Aba! Pinapainit talaga ang ulo ko. I just looked at him and then he stopped laughing. "What?" tanong nito. "Mierda! i***t creature!" I blurted. "Unbelievable! Oh damn it! Jake told me you're twenty years old now and still NBSB? Maybe, you're too feisty that's why you're single until now, oh? Lahat ng sinabi ni Jake is kabaligtaran mo. I hate the kind of girl like you," well nakakapikon ang tulad niya. How dare he said those things? Stupid! I really hate him. "Are you done? If you want to tell something aside from what you've said, I'll wait for it," sarkastiko kong sabi. Claire came with Mik "Hey Trixie are you okay?" Is there anything wrong with you?" "Nothing. I'm fine. I'll just go to the restroom," sabi ko dito. I left them in the counter area. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay bumalik na din ako sa pwesto kung nasaan sila. "Are you okay?" Luke asked. "Yeah. Sorry if I ruined the night," I told. "That wasn't your fault. He is just so grouchy. But one of these days you'll get close to know each other," Luke said. "I dunno know," sagot ko. While I was talking to him , I've seen a very familiar person. Tiningnan niya ako ng diretso at di ko nagawang salubungin iyon. That was my brother. I pretended that I didn't seen him but after few minutes someone held my right arm. "Let's go," mariin na sabi ni Troy. "Troy later na tayo mag-usap pag-uwi," I whispered. "This is off limits. You told me that you don't wanna go in this place and now you are here. Mga kalokohan mo ha" galit na sabi nito. "Please I'll explain later. I'll be home in few minutes," marahan kong sabi. "We'll go home now!" kita ko ang panggagalaiti nito. I was so scared. I've never seen him like this before. "Bro I guess it's better if you talk to your girlfriend privately," Troy looked at him furiously. " She is my sister. And don't call me bro," inis na sabi ni Troy. "Trixie Nathalia let's go now!" mariin nitong sabi. I went home with him. He was really mad at me. I know he is concerned but that doesn't mean neither gives him the right to embarrassed me in front of them. He even told about it to our elder brothers. I am grounded for one month. Am I still highschool? It really sucks!