TW: domestic violence, Mention of abuse, sexual harassment.

Kabanata 29

The lack of remorse in her face made my skin bristled, as if illusory tiny spiders crawled on my body. Ang mukha n'ya noon na matapang ay walang kupas pa rin. She looked frail and old however her uptight appearance was still intact. Even the unkempt yellow shirt seems dull on her entire frame.

Umupo ako sa harap n'ya, dahan-dahan upang mas mabigyan siya ng oras na kabahan man lang. Umangat ang tingin n'ya sa akin na tila ba tinatansya n'ya ako. She did not flinch or even blink. Nanatiling blangko ang itsura n'ya.

"Aw," she remarked and leaned on her chair. "Hindi mo kasama si Etienne? Sayang. I was looking forward to seeing him again."

My jaw clenched, anger rising in my chest. I wanted to hurt her badly but I need to calm down. Nandito ako upang makausap siya. I want to know something. I want to confirm something from her.

"You'll never see him again. I'll make sure of that," I said, my eyes turning to slits. "Kaya nga ako ang nandito, hindi kita hahayaan na habangbuhay siyang mumultuhin."

A smug smile appeared on her face. Pinagdaop n'ya ang kan'yang mga palad bago ako titigan nang diretso sa mga mata.

She sighed, "The pictures, ako ang nagpakalat n'on. Although, I wasn't able to touch him the way I wanted to — I made sure that everyone would think I did. At kahit naman baguhin n'ya ang tingin ng iba at itago sa kanila ang tungkol dito, Etienne would forever carry the burden of being silent because no one would believe him. People would doubt his truth."

"You're even proud of what you've done?" angil ko sa kan'ya, hindi makapaniwala kung saan siya humuhugot ng kagagahan n'ya.

I clenched my fist, I could feel my fingernails dipping on my palm. Her aging face creepily created a wider smile.

"I made him watch videos and told me that one of those days, gagawin ko lahat 'yon sa kan'ya." Halakhak n'ya at pinilig pa ang kan'yang ulo paitaas, tila mamamatay na sa sobrang tuwa. "I burned his arms, legs and would sometimes smack him in the face. And he can't fight back. For some reason, he didn't even tell his parents about it until the pictures were leaked."

Her laughter reverberated through the empty halls, sending chills in my spine. Kahit si Snyder na tahimik na nanonood sa amin ay napailing.

"Bakit mo 'yon ginawa? Don't you know that until now he's still traumatized? You told me you didn't touch him but your handprints are scattered all over his entire existence like some filth he can never clean. . ." I gasped for air as I opted not to shout.

Pinilit kong maging kalmado ngunit sa itsura n'yang walang pagsisisi ay lalo lamang kumukulo ang aking ulo.

Some people would do bad things, would say bad words, and even hurt you in the most detrimental way possible — and they won't feel sorry for it. They would never apologize for the way they treated you horribly. Even a half assed apology would not come out from their mouths. Mauuna pang matunaw ang buong mundo bago ang puso nila.

I sighed exasperatedly to myself. 'Yon na yata ang pinakamahirap sa lahat. Ang magpatawad ng taong kailanman ay hindi humingi ng tawad sa iyo.

The way it would pierce your heart —that some people lack empathy and compassion to admit their mistakes so they won't repeat it again. Some people just don't like you or value you enough for them to lower their pride and tell you that they're sorry. Kung minsan pa nga ay may kasama pa itong paninisi.

I treated you like shit because you did this. I did that to you because you made me. You deserved it because you did this to yourself. And in the end, you blame yourself for being inept to accept that people won't apologize if they truly don't feel like they did you wrong.

"Don't you feel sorry for what you did?" malumanay kong tanong.

Her eyes softened but it immediately turned to a set of angry glares. "No. Etienne was only the collateral damage. I'm not done yet. Hindi pa ako tapos sa kanila!"

Napapitlag ako sa aking kinauupuan. Naramdaman ang galit n'ya dahil sa panginginig ng lamesa. Her entire body was shaking and I could feel the burning hatred traversing through her entire body.

"I owned EIJE Inc. The whole concept of that Information Technology company was my whole idea. Kasama ako roon ngunit tinanggal nila ako. They told me that I was incapable! Because of what?! Because I was a woman! Hindi kaya ng mga ego nila na nataasan ko sila! Eije was there too! And he did nothing! He did nothing!" Histerikal n'yang sigaw. Tears rolling down her face. Ramdam ko ang hinagpis n'ya.

She did that. . . For revenge?

"I know your frustration but you shouldn't have done what you did! Walang kinalaman si Etienne roon!" I said, napatayo rin bigla sa sobrang galit.

"I wanted Eije to feel what I felt. . ." nangangatal n'yang sabi. Her lips quivering as she forced herself to smile. "I w-was evicted without a valid reason. They told me that I should just stay at home, be a wife, and let them innovate my idea! M-my idea! Sa akin 'yon! They told m-me that if the investors knew that a woman created a possible IA that could solve a series of problems in the algorithms, they would b-back out. . ."

Naghahalo-halo ang nararamdaman ko. I wanted to pity her but remembering what Etienne had to go through because of what she had done, agad itong naglalaho. I was merely a ticking time bomb in the closest time before it explodes.

"Bakit si Etienne? Sana kinausap mo na lang sila. Sana ginawan n'yo na lang ng paraan. What you did to him was utter torture!" asik ko sa kan'ya. It was a prevailing travail because until now he can still feel the pain that she inflicted.

Patuloy lang na naka-angat ang tingin n'ya sa akin. She bit her lip before forcing a quick smirk. Walang nararamdaman na awa o kung ano pa man.

"When I reported this to the authorities. Some of them told me I was being dramatic. That I should be grateful they were willing to pay for my idea, for my work, and it was actually a win-win situation. Ang sabi ko noon, I wanted Eije to feel the ridicule that I felt. The way that no one wants to take your side because they think you're being dramatic."

Umiling ako. "What you felt was valid but it does not justify your actions. Hindi mo dapat ginawa 'yon."

"I never said I was right," matabang n'yang sagot.

Napalunok ako. "Hindi ka ba nagsisisi? Kahit kaunti lang?"

"Bakit mo ba pinagpipilitan na dapat magsisisi ako? Sila ba nagsisi na kinuha nila sa aking ang ideya ko? What happened to him was nothing compared to what they did to me."

"You kept on comparing the pain he felt with yours. Kung pupuwede naman na pareho dapat kayong hindi sinaktan. Why do you have to compare who should feel greater pain?"

Hindi siya agad nakasagot. Her face remained stoic. I was here to make her apologize even if it was long overdue. Pakiramdam ko ay kahit papaano ay makakatulong ito kay Etienne. I hate how it still torments him up until now.

Tumayo na ako nang walang namutawing salita sa kan'yang mga labi. I probably expected her to have more substance but she was just a vengeful soul trying to taint those who made her feel wicked. Sa paraan na hindi n'ya maipaliwanag nang malalim kung bakit n'ya nagawang saktan si Etienne ay alam kong nadala siya ng galit n'ya.

"He endured everything because of you. Hindi bale ang pamamahiya ko sa kan'ya o ang mga sugat na natamo n'ya. He wanted to know how to hack. Isa sa mga hindi tinuro ni Eije dahil bata pa siya," she confessed, almost inaudible. "Kaya nakilala kita, Lavender."

"I know."

"My name —"

I cut her off. "No. Ayokong malaman. Nandito man ako para kausapin ka, hindi ako nandito para kilalanin ka. I only wanted to hear you apologize, however I do think Etienne should be the first one to hear it from you. At sana hindi ka n'ya mapatawad nang gano'n lang."

Hindi siya nakasagot. Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa akin. Her eyes spoke volumes of unexpress words. I sighed and looked at her for the last time.

"I don't want to immortalize your name in my mind. Kaya hayaan mo ako isipin na isa ka sa mga dapat kong kalimutan."

I bit my lower lip and slid the folder that Snyder took for me. Hindi ko maintindihan ang laman nito noon ngunit ngayon ay parang alam ko na. Tiningnan ito ng tutor ni Etienne. Her eyes went misty as her eyes slowly read the paper.

"While you were busy tormenting his son, Eije Soteiro was transferring the complete rights of the project to your name. He even named it after you. However, like how it was predicted, the project failed without your guidance, hindi rin nagamit ng mga Soteiro kaya kung naiisip mo na kaya sila lumalago dahil sa 'yo — you're wrong. I hope that clears and makes you feel a bit better. No one is profiting over your idea, your revenge was a stupid idea in the first placr and it only made you more of a fool now," ani Snyder sa kalmadong tinig. He even sounded cold.

"You're pretty heartless, Esmael." anang tutor, umangat ang tingin n'ya kay Snyder. She was trembling while tears were spilling down her cheeks.

Ngumiti si Snyder, tila nanunudyo. "I'm heartless, alright. I haven't found the one who owns my heart yet."

"Kakarmahin ka rin," the tutor snickered.

"Can't wait," Snyder Esmael waved his hand in the air as if he's waiting for that moment.

I glance at him. Halata sa kan'ya na sanay siya sa mga transactions na ganito. He sounded almost business-like and unbothered. Alam ko naman na may negosyo sila ng pamilya n'ya sa black auctions at halos mga mayayamang may mga ugali rin ang mga nakakasalamuha nila.

I was just expecting him to be more. . . Empathetic.

Hindi na siya nakapagsalita matapos no'n, she only cried harder. The project probably meant a lot to her. Wala kaming nagawa kundi umalis na lang din. Sabay kaming lumabas ni Snyder mula sa kwarto na 'yon. I sighed and my gaze looped back towards him.

"You okay?" Hinawi ni Snyder ang iilang hibla ng buhok na kumapit sa aking noo.

My cold sweat probably did that. Ngumiti naman ako at tumango sa kan'ya.

"I'm fine," I said. "Sayang dahil hindi ko man lang nakuha ang sorry n'ya. I wanted to at least ease Etienne's feelings."

"Not every apology would heal the wounds and it would not even fade the scars. The only apology that works that way is the apology that comes innately. 'Yong pagpapatawad mo sa sarili mo na hinayaan mong masaktan ka nang gano'n."

"Ang deep mo naman," biro ko sa kan'ya.

Snyder widened his chinky eyes. "Ano 'yan, virgin pa po ako."

"Tang ina mo!" Sinapak ko siya sa kan'yang balikat. "Kadiri! Dugyot! Hindi ka na puwedeng maging ninong ng anak ko!"

Nanigas naman kaming pareho dahil sa sinabi ko. It was as if we were awakened from the truth. Napalunok ako at agad na napatingin sa aking tiyan.

"You have to get yourself checked. Gusto mo ba samahan kita? But it is better for Etienne to be with you; however, that would also ruin your chance to surprise him."

"I'm not even sure if he wants kids. At paano kung. . ." my eyes softened. "Hindi pala ako bagay bilang ina?"

Of course, I wanted to be a mother too. I have a career I look forward to but I also want kids. Pero paano kung wala akong mother instincts? What if I failed as someone when it comes to taking care of a child?

"You'll stop med school?" ani Snyder.

"Graduating pa lang naman ako ng pre-med. Siguro ay magpapahinga ako ng isang taon tapos didiretso na ulit ako."

"That will be stressful," komento ni Snyder habang binabagtas namin ang daan patungong parking lot.

"I can take care of the kid. If ever that both of you are busy, puwede mo naman siya iwan sa studio ko," bilin n'ya. It warmth my heart because he was willing to do that.

Lumamlam ang mga mata ko. I felt like crying because he's so kind but I laughed. "Sa tingin mo papayag si Etienne?"

Snyder chuckled too. "Right, nararamdaman ko rin na baka di na 'yon umalis ng bahay n'yo sakali nga na may baby na kayo. He'll probably be your kid's favorite because he'll spoil him. Oh, si Tito Eije at Tito Ellise pa. . ."

Bigla naman akong kinabahan. Wala akong problema sa mga Soteiro ngunit sa mga Reverio ay medyo malaking pagpapaliwanag ito. I was still legally binded with them. Hindi ko naman puwedeng itago sa kanila ang bata.

"Lavender. . ." Snyder called my attention. Napalingon ako sa kan'ya.

"Yes?"

"I have a confession to make."

My eyes widened a fraction. "Hoy, taken na ako."

"Tanga, mukha bang type kita?" Ngumiwi si Snyder. I grimace back at him.

"Ano 'yon?"

"The one. . . Who killed the real Solstice. . ." Snyder gradually said. "It's not Dayanara."

"What?" Nanglaki ang mga mata ko.

"Although, the initial conclusion is Dayanara killed her because there was a witness which was your brother. The truth is, Alfos was already poisoning your sister ever since he learned that there was a possibility that your mom was still alive."

Umawang ang labi ko sa naging pahayag n'ya. I couldn't believe what I just heard from him. Snyder seems serious as he lays more of the details. I wasn't surprised that he knows about some stuff, he is an Esmael — kahit mga sikreto ay binibenta nila. With the right prize, of course.

"He was desperate for your mom's appearance. Magkahawig man ang mama mo at si Dayanara, yet maybe his love for your mom was an obsession already. Dayanara did do the final blow but Solstice was already being tortured on the inside even before the whole incident. Kahit hindi 'yon ginawa ni Dayanara, may plano talagang patayin ni Alfos ang kapatid mo."

"B-bakit?"

"Because he wanted your mom to show herself. Dahil akala nila iisa lang ang naging anak nito. He probably knows that your mom will be there once she discovers that Solstice is being harmed."

My body started to tremble because of the bottled up feelings I had for the Reverios. Si Adren at Mareena na lang talaga ang matino sa kanila. And I would do my best to save them from the darkness that the family omits.

Matapos ang paguusap na 'yon ay lumitaw muli ang pangamba ko na baka may gawing masama ang mga Reverio sa aking ina. Akala ko ay tapos na si Alfos sa ina ko. I thought he probably got over her. Hanggang sa may tumawag sa akin at halos masira ang buong pagkatao ko sa aking narinig.

"Ma'am Lavender. . ." hagulgol ng isa sa mga katiwala sa isla. My heart was racing rapidly. Hindi na rin mapakali dahil sa sunod-sunod na kalabog.

"Patay na po si Ma'am. . ." patuloy nitong iyak, halata ang takot sa tinig. "N-nalunod po sila s-sa tubig. Pilit po kasi siyang s-sinama sa ibang b-bangka ngunit tumalon siya sa dagat. K-kasama n'ya po ang amain n'yo. . ."

My heart shattered into pieces inside of my ribcage. Unti-unti akong napaupo habang ang mga luha ay walang tigil na umaagos sa aking mga pisngi.

Alfos. . .

The stress was slowly consuming me. Walang tigil ang iyak ko tuwing gabi at tuwing umaga naman ay pakiramdam ko pati mga professor namin sa school ay pinagdidiskitahan ako. My grades were declining because of the news but I can't even express myself inside the university because I have no friends.

Sa bahay namin ay iba ang prinoproblema nila. Lahat sila ay halos nagpa-panic dahil nasa hospital pa si Alfos at di pa nagigising samantalang ang nanay ko ay nasa morgue na ang malamig na bangkay.

"Paano nabuhay ang lintik na 'yon?!" nagwawalang saad ni Dayanara. Mareena was crying because she was scared.

Adren was nowhere to be found. Kasama siguro si Lolo na naga-asikaso ng naganap na pangyayari. This was a scandal that they would like to avoid. At alam ko naman na hindi ko rin siya kakampi pagdating sa ganitong usapan.

"Miss Solstice, binilin po ni Sir Adren na huwag kayo papabayaan na magpalipas ng pagkain." ani ng isang helper sa bahay.

Umiling naman ako habang pinagpapatuloy ang pagsulat sa aking notebook. May review pa akong kailangang tapusin. I have to consume more readings and more medical books to avoid the responsibility of the truth.

Wala na talaga ang mama ko.

Hindi ko maiwasan bilangin ang mga pagkakataon na hinayaan ko lang siyang mag-isa sa isla. Hinayaan ko lang siyang walang kasama. I cried in my palms. I covered my eyes but started sobbing like the first time that she had to let me go and brought me to the orphanage.

My phone rang. May tumatawag sa akin. I was expecting it to be Etienne but the caller was Snyder instead. I sighed and answered it. Nilunok ko ang aking mga hikbi.

"What?" namamaos kong tanong.

"Have you already had yourself checked?"

"It's negative," naiiritang sagot ko. "Okay na ba? Busy pa ako."

"Condolence nga pala. . ." Snyder said, halatang hindi sanay sa aking naging tono.

"It's negative, okay? Don't worry, I'll be fine. 'Wag mo na rin sabihin kay Etienne dahil baka dumagdag lang siya sa mga nagaalala ba kung may bata sa loob ko o wala. . ." I sobbed uncontrollably. "Okay lang ako. . ." I lied, both for the former and latter part.

I have to be okay. No one will comfort me. I am strong and because of that — people expect that I have the strength to be able to overcome this so easily. Gano'n naman talaga. Hindi naman nagiging madali ang problema habang lumalaki tayo, mas nagiging matatag lang tayo kaya kinakaya natin ang sakit. Kahit minsan parang sobra na yata.

Hindi ko alam bakit parang nalalanta ang mga buto ko. Siguro dahil sa kulang sa tulog at kain kaya nanghihina ako. Hindi rin siguro nakatulong na halos palagi akong umiiyak.

"Lavy," Etienne called during the evening, knocking on my door. "Please open the door."

Hindi ko ito pinansin at binalot ang sarili ko sa makapal na kumot. I feel like withering, as if I'm an autumn leaf slowly descending on the ground because winter is near.

Pupungas-pungas ako nang buksan ang lampshade sa aking tabi. I saw Etienne on my side, nakatulog yata siya kakabantay sa akin. His hands were holding mine as if I would be gone if he didn't tightly held on it.

"Etienne. . ." I softly called his name. Naalarma nanan siya agad at tiningnan ako. His eyes were half close, mas hinigpitan n'ya ang hawak sa akin.

"I'm sorry. Hinayaan kong makapasok si Alfos sa isla. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano n'ya nalaman ang tungkol doon. . ."

"I couldn't hide my mother forever. It was bound to happen. . . Pero sana naligtas ko man lang si mama. . ." sabi ko sa nanghihinang tono.

"I'm sorry." Etienne kissed my hand. Naramdaman ko ang ilang patak ng luha n'ya rito. "I failed to protect what matters to you the most. . ."

Napalunok naman ako. I wanted to blame someone but I could never blame Etienne. Alam ko naman na ginawa n'ya ang lahat upang maligtas ang mama ko. Alam ko ang mga naging sakripisyo n'ya. It will be unfair, not only to him, but also to his dedication to me if I will blame him for something he didn't do.

"Kumusta si Alfos?" malamig kong saad.

"Hospital. Critical ang kondisyon n'ya dahil nang tumalon ang mama mo ay sumunod siya. They were in the middle of the ocean, nagkataon na sa mabato pa sila napadpad."

"I don't know what to feel. . ." I smiled amidst the tears streaming down my face. "Pakiramdam ko ay manhid na ako. Ano pa ba ang dapat kong maramdaman?"

Etienne didn't say anything. Niyakap n'ya lang ako. I cried in his arms. I was so lost for words. Ang daming nangyayari sa akin na gusto ko na lang hingiin na sana tumigil ang orasan.

I wanted to breathe. Just even for a while. Subalit ayaw ako pagbigyan ng mundo.

I wanted to be a doctor because I wanted to provide help for my mother. Ngayong wala na talaga siya —pakiramdam ko ay isa na akong ibon na may bali-baling pakpak.

I tried to heal as weeks passed by. Etienne was there by my side to cater my needs and provide emotional support.

"You look beautiful," Etienne kissed my neck as I looked at myself in front of the mirror.

I was wearing a white flowing dress. For some reason, hindi ako makapagsuot ng mga masisikip na tela. I feel easily suffocated.

"Feeling ko tumataba ako," I pointed out. Medyo kinakabahan dahil baka nga. . .

"And? You look great." Etienne kissed the top of my head. "Tara na? They're waiting for you."

The Soteiros held their reunion party. We were planning to announce our relationship officially. Para matigil na sila sa pag-i-isip na may namamagitan sa amin ni CL. I want to offer assurance to Etienne.

Nakarating kami sa venue at naabutan ko ang mga naka-maskara na si Euan at Snyder.

Euan was wearing a commissioned piece from a famous designer based on the sequins used in his coat. It was a black formal coat with fancy sequins on the corners of it. Samantalang naka-itim lang na polo si Snyder at itim na slacks. A small heart was inked below his lips. His hair as usual is unkempt with his bangs swaying over the right side.

"You, okay?" bungad sa akin ni Snyder. Kahit ang madaldal at tsismosong si Euan ay nanatiling nakatingin lang sa akin.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Ngumiti naman ako. Dumaplis naman sa paningin namin ang isang pamilyar na babae.

She looked sickly but elegant. Kita ko sa mukha n'ya ang ilang sa mga tao. Oh, it was years ago since I saw her.

"Kaiaria is here," Euan said. "Tagal na n'yang wala sa competitions, ah? I wonder why. . ."

"Busy lang siguro," I said.

"Ever since senior highschool, madalas siyang ma-confine sa mga hospital. I think it's not just about being busy." ani Snyder.

Lumingon si Kaiaria sa direksyon namin. Ngumiti lang siya sa akin nang tipid. We smile back at her as she goes back inside the main hall.

Napabuntonghininga ako. Pumasok na rin kami dahil simula na rin ang event. Etienne looked stoic the whole night. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang ekspresyon n'ya. Maybe because most of his relatives think CL and I are together.

"Before I go," the emcee laughed, which caught our reaction. Kadalasan kasi ay seryoso ito habang kinakamusta ang mga Soteiro.

"I would like to congratulate Caer Luxeuil for his engagement with Kaiaria!" the emcee applauded happily. Nasundan naman ito ng mga palakpak galing sa mga nasa lamesa.

Tiningnan ko ang mga kasama ko sa lamesa. Euan was beyond shock. Si Snyder naman ay nakatingin kay Etienne nang masama. I looked at Etienne and my heart broke.

Etienne had a tiny smirk on his face.

Hinalughog ng patingin ko si Caer. I saw him widening his eyes. Nakaawang ang labi at halatang hindi alam ang nangyayari. Malapit lang siya sa mismong stage kaya kitang-kita ko siya.

"Papakasalan ni Caer si Kaiaria?" Euan asked. "Kailan pa? I know Kaia likes Caer but Caer likes Solstice!"

"Pasmado," Snyder snickered. "Etienne, you know. . ."

"How could Caer say no? And break Kaia's heart? Knowing that she has a heart condition. Of course, he can't say no to this." Etienne explained briefly.

"You did this?" tanong ko kay Etienne. Lalong kumakalabog ang puso.

"Lavy. . ."

"You. . . Set this up?" I gradually said, trying to calm myself down.

"Why are you affected?" Etienne asked in a low tone.

"Bakit mo 'to ginawa?!"

It was a public announcement and it was heard by their relatives. Halata naman na dinadaan sila sa pressure. At dahil may sakit sa puso si Kaiaria, CL wouldn't be able to say no. CL is the kind of man who doesn't know how to say no. And Etienne knew this weakness of his. At ginamit n'ya ito para mapalayo sa amin si CL.

Manipulative bastard.

Napatayo ako. Sinundan ako ng tingin ni Etienne habang papalayo ako sa kanila. I walked away from them but Etienne ran towards me.

"Lavy," he called.

"Shut up."

"Lavy. . ." patuloy n'yang tawag. Mahaba ang biyas n'ya kaya madali n'ya akong nahahabol.

"Bakit mo 'yon ginawa?! B-bakit ba k-kailangan mong pakialam ang buhay ng i-iba?!" I sobbed harder. Kinakapos sa hininga. Pumipilipit ang tiyan. Natutuliro dahil sa mga ganap.

"I just didn't want to think about the possibility of him being with you, Lavy." nanghihinang saad n'ya.

"Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin? M-mahal nga kita. Paulit-ulit na lang tayo. . ." I stopped from my tracks. Lumingon ako sa kan'ya, iniinda ang sakit na nararamdaman.

"Alam mo n-naman na mahal kita 'di ba?" napapaos kong sabi sa kan'ya.

Etienne diverted his eyes. I could see the mist behind those gray cloudless eyes. My jaw clamped close. Nanglaki ang mga mata ko.

In his silence, I found my answer.

Out of all people, his doubt of my love for him was the worst slap that I've ever received. Akala ko noon, hindi baleng di maramdaman ng iba na mahal ko si Etienne — dahil akala ko ay dama n'ya na mahal ko siya. 'Yon pala, pareho lang ang tingin n'ya sa pagmamahal ko. Mababaw at maaaring hindi totoo.

My eyes were filled with tears. Kinuha ko ang kwintas ko na may initial n'ya at hinila mula sa aking leeg. Tinapon ko ito sa harap n'ya. "Kung gano'n ang tingin mo, then so be fucking be it."

❛ ━━━━━━･❪♀❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

Happy New Year! thank you for being here. with ♡, li.