Chapter 2

"Are you okay?"

That's what she asked right after I opened the door.

"You won't ask that if you would look at me for once instead of your other daughter."

I could see the rage in her eyes. My mother has been a short-tempered person. Like me. We're so similar I wanted to throw up.

"Answer my question, Claudia Francesca."

I scoffed. I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow.

"What if I don't? Are you going to throw me out of this house and make me live with Dad? If that so, I will shut up."

She took in a sharp breath and stepped into my room. I watched her sat on my bed. She saw the bread I stole in the kitchen but didn't argue with me about it.

"Your grandmother was asking me to be with her in her last days. She's not getting any stronger. Gusto ka rin niyang makita bago siya mawala."

My mouth formed an 'O'. I've never met Grandma since I was five. Hindi na rin naman kami bumisita pa pagkatapos niyon. My mom isn't that close with Grandma. I don't know why.

"Then why are you asking Dad to take care of Sofia?"

I saw her forehead wrinkled. "You heard that?"

I nodded. I walked in front of my vanity table and slumped on the chair, facing mom.

"I'm going to be busy taking care of Mama and I can't take care of another one. Also, Leandro has nothing to do in his life."

"Sofia and I could be with Dad."

She stood up in disagreement. "Your grandmother wants you there. Why do you like to be with your dad so much? He cheated on us, Claudia," she snapped.

"He has reasons. Maybe he can't tolerate your attitude anymore," I protested.

I found my head twisted ninety degrees. I didn't face her and walked out of my room.

"I swear to God, Claudia! You are not going to like what I'm going to do if you walked out of the house!" she shouted.

I laughed and faced her. "Are you going to make me live with Dad now?"

"No. I'm going to make you live in the US."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "No!"

I hate my mother's relatives in the US and she knows that.

"Walk out and you'll find yourself living in the US."

I shook my head and closed my eyes in irritation.

"Can I at least go to Tiffany and cool down?" I asked calmly.

"Don't go home late. You're going to pack your bags. I already talk to your dean and we had an agreement for you to attend classes online."

Then, she's gone. She only does what she wants. She never consulted me about mine. What kind of a mother is that?

I went to my room and picked up my phone. I went out of the house soon after. I dialed Tiffany's number and called her. I hailed a taxi after hearing the other line ringing.

"Makati, please."

I laid back and waited for Tiffany to answer the call. She didn't. Where would she be?

"Tristan...."

I didn't think about the two of them until now. They both betrayed me and hurt me. I ended the call and decided to go to a club nearby. Dahil pa bukas 'yon ng hapon, I decided to go to the mall to kill time. At six in the evening, I went to the club.

The loud noise welcomed me when I got to walk inside. I'm getting excited as I look at the dance floor. I went to the bar and ordered a glass of my favorite cocktail. I sat away from a couple of busy doing their business.

"Hey," a man walked up to me.

I stopped him with my hand so he could stay away from me. But I saw his eyes and got awed by them.

"I like your eyes," I complimented him when he was about to walk away.

I saw him grinned then he leaned closer. "What's its color?" he urged.

The corner of my mouth turned up. I stared at his eyes more.

"It's chocolate. Am I wrong?"

I heard his chuckles before halting in front of me.

"You're observant. I like that. I'm Tan."

I shook his hand. "Claudia. I'm not here to flirt, actually."

He cracked up.

"I like your laugh too."

He shook his head and sat beside me. "You're fond of giving compliments to strangers. Is that called flirting too?"

"A thank you would suffice. I'm not flirting."

"Thank you then."

Umalis ako sa pagkakaupo at tumingin sa dance floor. Inubos ko ang basong hawak ko at saka tumingin sa lalaking umupo kanina sa tabi ko.

"Care to dance with me?" I asked bluntly.

"Sure."

We walked up to the dance floor and didn't mind the man dancing behind me. I raised my hand and closed my eyes. I felt my heart getting banged by the loud music. I let myself be free from hurt and devastation. I let myself be me.

"You're good at dancing!" I heard the guy shouted at my right ear.

I winced and opened my eyes. I turned my head to him and gasped when I saw his face a few inches from me. Itinulak ko ang balikat niya.

"I said I'm not here to flirt!" I yelled even though we're still closer.

"Claudia!"

Bumaling ako sa tumawag. Nakita ko si Tristan. Hinablot niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako palapit sa kanya. Inalis ko rin 'yon pagkatapos.

"Get away from me. Where's Tiffany?"

We looked at each other in the eye. I turned away and walked to the bar again. Hindi ko na namalayan na nasa tabi ko na naman si Tan. He ordered a drink for me.

"Who was that guy? He has the guts to pull you. Did you get hurt?"

I put my lips together.

"I'm okay."

"What?" he asked.

"I'm okay!" I shouted.

He put his hand on his ear. "Again?"

"I'm not okay! Happy now?"

He laughed and messed with my hair. I grunted.

"Don't do that again."

We sat together on an empty sofa after Tan got our drinks. I drank from it and watched the people have fun.

"What?"

I gave him a sullen glance. "Nagbibingi-bingihan ka ba?"

"Yes," he honestly replied.

Sinuntok ko ang dibdib niya. Tumawa lang siya sa ginawa ko. Ginulo na naman niya ang buhok ko kaya sinuntok ko ulit ang dibdib niya. This time he has his grip on my hand.

"You're an interesting character."

I have no idea what he said. I drank from my glass and got quiet, this place has enough noise.

"You've put walls around you, haven't you?"

I creased my forehead and peered at him.

"What?"

He grinned. We stayed silent for a while. I finished my drink and was about to stand up to order again when I saw Tiffany and Tristan kissing in the center of the dance floor.

"Claudia?" Tan called.

My eyes got blank. I walked away leaving my friend doing what she wants. I wiped my tears that were continuously flowing down my cheeks.

"Hey!"

Nasundan ako ni Tan sa labas. Tiningnan ko lamang siya bago naglakad muli para makasakay ng taxi pauwi. This world is spitting me out and I don't know where I should go. Should I be with my mother who doesn't want me?

"Claudia, are you okay?"

I slapped Tan's face. "Hindi nga sabi ako nakikipag-flirt! Ano ba!"

Sa halip na makita ko siyang galit ay tinawanan niya lang ako. Nagsalubong lalo ang kilay ko. Ikinuyom ko ang kamao ko at naghintay na lamang sa dadaang taxi.

"Thank you."

Napatingin ako bigla sa kanya. "Ano? Sinampal na nga kita tapos nagte-thank you ka ngayon?"

"Thank you for making me realize that your character is worth writing. You are interesting, Claudia. See you again soon."

Hindi ko na naintindihan ang sinabi niya nang bigla niya akong halikan sa pisngi. I didn't have the time to be mad at him when he walked away.

"He talked to me just to steal a kiss. What a douchebag."

I went home that night. I walked inside the house and saw Mom and Sofia playing together. I didn't spend my time watching them or else I'm going to puke.

"Are you going with me tomorrow, Claudia?"

Bumaling ako sa kanila at tinititigan sandali si Sofia.

"How about her?"

"Change of plans. We need to take her with us. I'm hoping you'll go with us too, won't you?"

I could see the desperation in her eyes. I damped my lips and folded my arms. This day has been a long one for me. What could make a simple yes harm me?

I should accept that that world doesn't want me anymore. I don't belong there. I don't belong in here either. What should I choose between the two?