The World of Writers

Everyone has a desire in life. "More! More! More!" Everyone has a comfort zone. "Go! Go! Claudia, Go!" Mabilis kong nilagok ang mga maliliit na baso sa harap ko. I didn't mind the bitterness and the toxic flooding my throat. "You won, Claudia!" Tiffany screamed at my ears. Nagmulat ako at nakita ko ang masasayang mukha ng mga kasama ko rito sa club. I can hear their shouts and laughter for me. This is where I belong. Hindi ko na alam ang sunod na pangyayari. Naghilamos lamang ako pagkatapos ng laro namin nang maramdaman ko ang pangingirot ng ulo ko. Then my eyes went black. "Claui! Are you okay?" Naalimpungatan ako sa sigaw ni Tiffany. Kumikirot ang ulo ko. Parang sinusuntok 'yon ng isang milyong kamao. "Nasaan ako?" Naupo ako at tumingin sa paligid. I realized it was Tiffany's room. "Duh...lagi naman kita dinadala rito after you pass out in the club. Masyadong marami ang nainom mo kagabi

I thought I won't be seeing myself on this vacation. But here I am, traveling with my mother and my sister for God knows how many hours. I groaned in annoyance. "What's wrong, Claudia?" Everything about this is wrong. I looked at my sister sitting on my lap. "Let me drive us there. I want to drive instead of being a pillow for this girl," I said in a disgusted tone. "Hold her for another hour. Malapit na rin naman tayo." I cursed inside of my head. Namamanhid na ang binti ko at hindi rin ako makagalaw dahil sa bigat nitong si Sofia. I drew a long breath. I have no choice and let this slide. An hour had passed and an hour again. After three hours, my mom stopped in an old big house. "I didn't know Grandma's house is bigger than ours." "This is my father's house. The other one we visited when you were younger was your grandmother's, do you still remember?" Tiningnan ko ang mga mata ni Mommy. Umiling ako. "

"Hija, sumalo ka rine sa amin," Grandma offered when I walked downstairs.My mother was busy feeding Sofia while Grandma ate on her own. Doesn't Grandma need more help than Sofia?I rolled my eyes and walked to Grandma. "I'll help you eat."Naupo ako sa tabi niya at kinuha ang kutsara na nasa kamay niya."Hindi na, apo. Matatapos na rin ako rine. Mag-umagahan ka na."I raised a brow. "Okay."Tahimik akong kumuha ng hotdog at banana sa harap ko."Leave the hotdogs for Sofia. Eat the bananas and bacon, Claudia," my mother interfered.Ibinagsak ko ang kutsara ko. It made a noise on the table that made her mad."Of course, you forgot. I hate bacon as much as I hate you.""Kayo talagang mag-ina, magka-ugaling magka-ugali kayo, kaya iyan...lagi na lang kayong nagbababag," Grandma voiced out.I lowered my head and laughed so loud it made me cry. I lifted my chin and gave my mother a sul

"Bakit naka-lock 'to?" Pinilit kong buksan ang pinto pero hindi talaga magbukas 'yon. Humarap ako sa lalaki na hindi pa rin umaalis hanggang ngayon. "Ni-lock mo ba 'to?" pag-aakusa ko sa kanya. Itinuro niya ang sarili niya. "Ako pa? Have you seen me near your door and lock that? I can't even hold that doorknob." I blinked twice. Napatingin ako kay Sofia na hinihigit ang kamay ko. "I wanna go out," she wailed. Napailing ako. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko. Pinihit ko ulit ang doorknob. Hinampas ko ng palad ko ang pinto. "Is there someone in there?!" I shouted at the door while banging it. "Please, help us get out of here!" Ilang minuto akong kumakatok sa pinto pero walang nagbubukas niyon. I sighed in disbelief and worry. Paano na kami ngayon? "What do you suggest we do?" I asked the guy. He shrugged. He looked at my younger sister. I watched him knelt in front of Sofia. "Hey, littl

Two days passed again. I haven't heard anything from Writan nor Bok. I'm comfortable that we're not wasting our time besides, our world's time is stopped on the other side.I tried writing on my own. Every room has a typewriter, paper, pencils, and pens. That's why this world is for writers. Totally. I don't know if it's my thing, but I don't mind. I don't have anything to do, anyway. What intrigues me is that I'm not bored here unlike on the other side. Maybe because I don't have to think about Mom, nagging about everything.Huminga ako nang malalim. Tiningnan ko ang bintana at nakita ang dalawang tao na nakaupo sa isang bench. They were exchanging books every three minutes, I've counted it. I'm curious about them and so, I feed my curiosity.Paglabas ko ng kwarto ko ay nakita ko si Sofia na naglalaro kasama ang maid niya. I'm thankful for the maid 'cause she's making my job easier. I don't have to take care of my sister; I have the time on my own."Lala