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CHAPTER 3

Mabilis akong napabalikwas sa bangon ng magising ako at doon napagtanto na sa sofa ako nakatulog. Nilibot ko ang aking paningin at wala na si Davis. He's probably already gone. Anong oras na rin ng masilip ko ang digital clock na nakadikit sa pader. I clutched my chest as the comforter served as a cover for my body and slipped down. What happened last night automatically entered my mind, and I let out a deep sigh.

My body ached as I stood up from my seat and picked up the clothes draped over the back of the sofa before wearing it. Agad na pumasok sa aking isipan ang aking anak na si Thalestris, I hurried to the bedroom to check on her to see if she's okay or not.

Parang nabunutan ng tinik ang aking dibdib ng makitang mahimbing itong natutulog. She was already dressed in her pink onesie pajama with an empty baby bottle near her head. Mukhang napainom na siya ni Davis ng gatas bago umalis ng bahay. Nang mapansin kong okay naman siya ay naglinis na rin ako ng buong kuwarto at naligo.

I couldn't bring myself to look at my reflection in the bathroom mirror because of the bruise on my cheek and jaw. I just shook my head and looked away before my tears, which I had been holding back, could fall. Eventually, I just let myself cry. Mahinang mga hikbi ang kumawala sa aking labi habang pinipigilan ang aking sarili na hindi humagulhol.

I can't give up easily because of her, because of Thalestris. I'm already exhausted from everything that's happening in my life, but I stay strong for her and also for my parents.

I took a deep breath and started to calm myself. "Don't worry, Cheska. We'll get out of this hellish house soon. Maghintay ka lang," usap ko sa aking sarili ng muling humarap sa salamin.

I don't want to reach the situation where Davis will be the one to take care of Thalestris because I know he wouldn't do that. I exhaled deeply and wiped away my tears.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Can I go there next time, Dad? Wala kasing mag-babantay sa bahay kung pupunta kami diyan ni Thalestris," sambit ko sa kabilang linya habang abala sa pagwawalis sa sala. "How about we'll go visit you on your birthday?"

For a few days now, my father had been asking me to visit his house, but I don't want to because the bruise on my cheek is still noticeable, although the one on my jaw is fading. I hung the broom behind the door and went to Thalestris, who was busy playing on her play mat. Hinaplos ko ang kanyang buhok at napangiti na lang.

"Cheska, we just miss you. Sobrang tagal pa ng birthday ko kung doon ka lang makakapunta," tugon ni Daddy sa kabilang linya.

"Dad, you know that I only really go there during your birthday. And besides, Thalestris is my priority now—and my family. Don't worry, I can surprise you if I really want to go there," paliwanag ko at ngumiti na akala mo ay nasa harapan ko siya.

The silence lingered before he spoke. He let out a slight sigh.

"Okay, I understand. Is Davis treating you well there? You know how much your mom and I took care of you when you were under our care, so I have high expectations that Davis will treat you even better than that," wika nito na ikinatigil ko.

Hinawakan ko ng mabuti ang cellphone ng maramdaman kong nagsimulang manginig ang aking kamay. I took a deep breath before answering my father. I couldn't help but recall what happened last night... I don't know why that suddenly popped into my mind.

"Don't worry, Dad. Davis treats me well, kami ni Thalestris. He treats me like a queen. Masaya po kaming dalawa, Dad," napalunok ako at sa hindi ko na makayanan ang panginginig ko ay pinatay ko agad ang tawag ng biglaan at hinabol ang aking hininga.

I'm having a panic attack, it's like I'm running out of air, and my breathing is rapid. I just focused on taking deep breaths while my heart was racing uncontrollably. I looked down at Thalestris, who was staring at me. She lifted her hand and gently held my face. In that moment, my breathing calmed down, and I was able to regain control.

"Mami?"

Ngumiti ako at hinalikan ang kanyang noo. Unti-unti na siyang nakakapagsalita.

"Mommy is fine, Baby. Don't worry," malambing kong wika sa kanya habang hinahaplos ang kanyang buhok.

Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa akin na akala mo hindi pa yata kumbinsido sa aking sinabi kahit hindi niya 'yon naiintindihan. Buong araw ay nakipaglaro ako sa kanya at kinausap. Maganda sa bata ang ganoon para masanay.

Hanggang sa dumating na ang gabi at nakauwi na si Davis. As usual, I let him eat first before I did. I prefer it that way, and I'm grateful that he didn't interfere with how I like things set up, especially when it comes to how we eat here at home. Nang matapos siya ay iniwan niya lang sa lababo ang mga pinagkainan nito bago magtungo sa paakyat ng hagdan.

Akala ko ay aakyat na ito, pero hindi pala. I stepped back as he approached me. What's going on? Why did he stop? Is he going to hurt me again?

"What's wrong, Davis?" tanong ko kahit na kinakabahan.

Seryoso ang mukha nito habang nakatingin sa akin, kaya hindi ko alam kung anong problema nito sa akin.

" I have a business trip to London, and I'll be there for a month. But before I leave, we need to attend Mom and Dad's charity ball. You'll be coming with me, and..." Nilingon niya si Thalestris na mahimbing na natutulog sa crib. "You're leaving Thalestris at the mansion so there won't be any distractions. She might cause a scene and embarrass us in front of others. Someone will watch over her, so don't argue. Do you understand me? I won't repeat myself, Cheska, so make sure you keep everything I'm saying in your head. Is that clear?"

Napalunok ako at tumango. "Yes. I understand."

Tumango siya at tinalikuran ako. "Good," umakyat na siya sa taas at malakas na sinarado ang pinto ng kuwarto.

A month-long business trip to London? That means I'll have a whole month to rest from this pain. A whole month of freedom. I can finally do everything I want!

I smiled bitterly and blinked as I felt tears welling up. I shook my head and happily cleared the dinner table. I washed everything and rested for a moment in the living room while keeping an eye on Thalestris.

We'll be free for a month, Thalestris. I hope that month will bring us happiness.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tuwing sabado at linggo lang ang pasok ko sa aking trabaho. Kahera ako sa isang local jewerly store at sikat 'yon. They're quite expensive, but it's worth it because the shop's staff makes them themselves. Davis doesn't give me money for my needs, so I have to find a job. I also bring Thalestris with me when I work because there's no one else to leave her with. I'm lucky that my boss allowed it.

"Cheska! You're early today, huh," nakangiting bati sa akin ng boss ko.

Ningitian ko siya at kumaway. "Goodmorning, ma'am. It's another workday, so I need to hustle."

We laughed, and then she went into her office. I sat down and looked at Thalestris, who was sound asleep on my chest. She was in the baby carrier wrap. Bumibigat na rin siya, kaya medyo nahihirapan na akong buhatin ito, pero kaya ko pa naman.

Once I was sure there were no customers coming, I went to the staff room to put her in the crib. May pinaglumaan na ng crib sa anak ng boss ko kaya dinala niya rito sa shop para raw may magamit si Thalestris pag natulog at hindi ako mangalay kakabuhat sa kanya.

I placed two small, long pillows on its side and covered it with a thin blanket before going out. Naabutan ko si Mica na kararating lang din. Nagmamadali siyang pumunta sa kabilang side ng pahabang salamin at sa loob no'n ay ang mga paninda naming alahas.

"Cheska! Ang aga natin, ah. Si Thalestris dala mo?"

Tumango ako at tipid siyang ningitian. "Yes. Natutulog na siya roon sa staff room."

Tumango siya at nag-ayos muna ng sarili dahil ang haggard niya raw. I lost focus and stared at myself in the scattered mirrors inside the shop. I ended up doing my makeup unexpectedly because I needed to cover the bruises on my face. Good thing my makeup had full coverage.

"They're all busy today," anas ni Mica. Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Papalitan daw ng high-tech na CCTV yung shop at saka yung mga aircon gagawin ng split type," wika niya sa akin habang naglalagay ng lipstick.

I nodded. "Ah. Gano'n ba e'di maganda na 'yon."

"Oo nga, eh. At saka ang galing nung bagong CCTV natin. HD daw ang camera tapos may kung ano pa raw p'wede mo roon makita kapag may titignan ka sa mismong monitor kung saan naka-connect ang CCTV. Amazing, isn't it?"

I couldn't help but be amazed by what she said. Upgrading the CCTV here in the shop is a great advantage because of the items we sell. And for sure the prices of all the CCTV's are also high.

"I wouldn't be surprised if each of those has a high price," tugon ko. Tumango siya at mahinang natawa.

"Oo! That's fine too, for the sake of all of us here in the shop. Masyadong takaw tingin yung mga perlas dito, eh."

Well, may point naman si Mica dahil mas iniisip ng boss namin ang kapakanan namin kesa sa pabayaan na lang na hindi makapag upgrade ng CCTV sa buong shop.

"Cheska, pakitulungan muna yung magbuhat nung box papunta sa stock area. Magagaan naman yung iba kaya hindi kana mahihirapan," biglang utos ng boss namin.

Tumango ako. "Sige po, Ma'am."

Nagtali muna ako ng buhok bago umalis sa aking pwesto. Mabilis ko lang din na sinilip si Thalestris sa tinutulugan nito. After I left the shop, I helped the man carry the boxes until everything was unloaded from the service truck.

"Cheska! Tulungan na kita mag-buhat diyan sakto pinayagan ako ni boss. Wala pa naman customer, eh," nakangiting wika ni Mica.

Ningitian ko siya at tumango. "Sure, Thank you!"

I'm having a happy day today, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because, in my work, I feel free. I don't feel suffocated because Davis isn't around, and I don't sense his presence.

It feels so happy and free.

SHANGPU