Chapter 5

MONDAY

 

I was already at school early in the morning. Like Mommy Maine and Daddy Leo mentioned, I was dropped off by Mang Noel. Starting today, he will be the one to drop me off and pick me up from school. Even though I feel embarrassed, I have no choice but to go along with their wishes. I went straight to our hangout spot with Jess and Arnold. They are my close friends since high school.

 

Jess comes from a wealthy family. Her parents are in America, and Arnold is the son of our current mayor. Their families were entrepreneurs before entering politics. I consider myself lucky to have friends like them because despite their privileged backgrounds, they are very kind to me. We treat each other like siblings.

 

We know each other's secrets. Arnold has a soft spot for girls, but it's not widely known. Only Jess and I know about it. If you look at him, you'd think he's a very masculine guy. Tall, handsome, kind, and most importantly, very thoughtful. He's our protector, especially when it comes to Jess and me. He's overprotective of us, which we greatly appreciate.

 

We don't have any plans to date each other, so it's okay. Arnold strongly asks us not to spread his secret, or else he'll get in trouble with his father. He's the only child, and his parents expect him to give them grandchildren. When we're with him, he acts very feminine, but around other people, he acts very masculine. When I arrived at our hangout spot, they weren't there yet. I let out a sigh, knowing they wouldn't be pleased when they find out what happened to me over the weekend.

 

I let out another sigh. After five minutes, the two of them arrived. "Hey there, you're here so early. What's the occasion?" Jess asked in her sweet voice. "Is this the first time you've come here before us?" she teased. "Yes, it is," Arnold added. "And what's with the bruise on your face? Why do you have another one?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

 

I looked at them sadly. I didn't know how to start telling them. "Sighhhh! I was hurt again at home. Who else but my Mommy? I'm really getting tired of my family. Sometimes I wonder if I really belong to them. Maybe I should just run away. But at least I have you and Jess. I know you both will help me. Last month, you remember, I also had a bruise, right? Maybe my beautiful face will get ruined from all the slaps my Mommy gives me."

 

I couldn't say anything in response to Jess's words. Sometimes, I also wonder if I truly belong to my family. What is this? Maybe it's better if I just run away. Jess and I are always together. Arnold came up to me and gently stroked my hair. That's how sweet he is to me. I could feel the suppressed anger in his voice. Tears started to flow, and I could sense the concern and worry from my friends. I'm fortunate to have them. We promised each other that we'd be best friends forever. They are the first ones who showed me that someone can truly love me.

 

If only I could have run away a long time ago. But I held on to the hope that things would change when I moved to Robert's house. "Guess what—I'm married," I stammered through my tears. I covered my face with my hands, and my tears continued to flow. "What????" they both exclaimed in surprise.

 

They both replied in shock, "Are you kidding, Bestie??? We always call you that. Since we're really best friends. We had a weekend, and suddenly you're married. Is it magic? Arnold asked, clearly puzzled. I could hear the disbelief in his voice. "It's a long story. Even I can't believe it."

 

"I don't know why it happened," I cried. "And who did you marry? You don't even have a boyfriend, Bestie. How did it happen? Was it an arranged marriage? Oh, I knew it, I never trusted your family. You should have run away a long time ago," Jess went on with her long speech

 

" It's Kuya Robert... I'm crying as I say it. He's the one I married... Huhuhuhu."

 

I'm scared, Bestie. "I'm living in their house now... Connected to it all... Huhuhuhu," I sob.

"What????? Kuya Robert is your sister's boyfriend?" Arnold said in shock. "You're already living together? Just like that?" he asked, surprised. "No, Bestie, we have separate rooms because he's mad at me. He feels like everything is my fault," I sobbed, my voice trembling.

"Isn't he old??? Oh my gosh, Bestie... He's the same age and batch as my brother Aron, right? He must be around 28 years old, while you're only 18. Oh my gosh, Bestie, he's known to be a playboy and only settled down a bit when he had a girlfriend before," Jess explained at length.

"He's pursued by many women because he's handsome and wealthy. You have a crush on him, don't you, Bestie?" Arnold said.

"Wait, wait, how did you end up getting married!? Isn't he supposed to be with your sister? They're the ones dating, right?" Jess asked, puzzled.

"I know, right... We were caught sleeping together in bed. That's what happened. But, Bestie, even I'm confused... I don't remember anything. The last thing I remember is drinking apple juice, and then nothing. I woke up the next morning, and we were sleeping next to each other. I'm crying as I say it," I explained, my voice breaking.

My friends were shocked by what I said. I could see the sympathy in their eyes. I felt Jess approach me and gently stroke my back. She was trying to comfort me. "So, you got married just like that. The sequence of events happened so quickly," I added.

 

"And Robert blames me for everything. He says I seduced him to make him break up with Ate Alice... But it's not true... I'm not at fault. I don't even know what happened. I'm so confused," I cried out.

"I wonder if they put something in the juice you drank. Both you and Robert drank it, right?" Arnold asked. "But what could be the motive of the person who did this? Wasn't it just your family who was with you that night?" he continued.

I was momentarily stunned by Arnold's remark. The only people in the house at that time were Mommy, Ate Alice, and the two maids. Daddy wasn't there yet, but I knew Kuya Robert was coming to visit Ate Alice. Actually, it was Ate Alice's birthday, but she didn't want to celebrate.

She wanted it to be just us bonding. Mommy was the one who gave me the apple juice. God??? Could they have conspired against me? But why? Why would they do this to me, and with Kuya Robert of all people?

"Oh well, Bestie, I doubt what happened to you. Seems like you already surrendered to that old man Robert. And he's the one who's angry? Wow, he's really lucky to have you... You're so fresh and young," Jess said, annoyed. I looked at Jess. I shook my head. "I don't know, Bestie. I didn't feel anything unusual when we woke up the next morning."

"Meaning, there was no blood on your bed? I mean, you're still a virgin, right? So there should have been blood, and it's supposed to be painful, Bestie," Jess said. I shook my head. There was no trace of blood on my bed that morning.

 

There's a possibility that nothing really happened between me and Kuya Robert. I let out a deep sigh. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of why Mommy did this to me. I really don't know their motives.

 

I decided not to go to class for now. I'm going home.

I'll confront Mommy and Ate Alice.

It doesn't matter since they don't care about me anyway. I'm just going to ask them why they did this. It's so unfair that all the blame is put on me. They're the ones who did it, right? It's so unfair.

"Bestie, I'm not going to school today. I'm going home," I said, crying.

I stood up and turned away from them. I heard Jess calling my name, but I didn't pay any attention. I just continued walking until I found a taxi. I hurriedly went home. I was still crying uncontrollably, and my tears wouldn't stop flowing.

When I arrived home, I found Mommy and Ate Alice in the living room, engrossed in watching something on TV. They were laughing and seemed oblivious to what had happened. It's like none of it affected them.

"Why are you making my life difficult?" I shouted, almost screaming.

"Shut up, you *********. Are you trying to fight back now? What difficulty are you talking about when I know you'll eventually enjoy it? Don't you want Robert? This is your chance. Alice is lending Robert to you," Mommy said. "No, Mommy. Do you really want to ruin my life? Because it seems like you always favor Alice... What about me? Huhuhu! I'm still your child, right?" I asked. I couldn't control myself anymore. My emotions burst out. It hurt so much. I wanted to let out all my resentment.

"You dare to question how I treat you? I'm your mother, and I can treat you however I want!!!! What are you putting on airs for? Can't you understand that we need to support your sister with her dreams?" Mommy said angrily.

"But, Mommy, couldn't we do it in another way? Huhuhu," I cried, tears flowing uncontrollably.

"Enough of this conversation. It's just stressing me out. Leave now. Didn't I tell you that you can't go home until you're Robert's wife?!!!?" Mommy shouted. I couldn't say anything in response to Mommy's words. I just continued crying, looking at her.

"Leave for now, little Sissy," Ate Alice said, annoyed.

 

"I hate you, Mommy," I blurted out, turning my back on them... Tears filled my eyes.

As I walked out of our gate, I heard someone call my name and felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned, I saw Jess holding onto my shoulder, and Arnold was there too. They had followed me.

"Oh, Bestie!!! What happened? Let's go to Arnold's car. Fortunately, we followed you. It's like you're not in trouble," Jess said worriedly.

I could hardly breathe from crying so much, and I was gasping for air. I knew my eyes were extremely swollen. But I wanted to let out all my pain. I let my friends guide me to Arnolds's car. I sat there, allowing myself to cry, while Jess stroked my back.

"Bestie, that's enough. We're here for you. Please stop crying," Roxie said, tears also welling up in her eyes. I knew she felt sorry for me.

Arnold, on the other hand, remained silent. I knew he was silently sympathizing with me. His eyebrows furrowed as he clenched his fists.

"Jess, please give her some water. She might faint suddenly. Our poor Jane. It seems like all the sorrow in the world is on her. If only we could do something," Arnold said, his voice filled with sadness. He started the car.

 

"Let's just go to your condo, Arnold. Let's wait for Jane to feel better," Jess suggested.

"But I think I'll just go home for now. That's where I live, in Robert's house. Can you drop me off there? I'm sorry for still crying," I said, my voice still trembling.

"Are you sure, Bestie? You could stay at my condo for now. Just relax before going home. You might have a panic attack," Arnold replied. "I'm okay, thank you both," I responded.

"Just remember, we're always here for you. We're your allies at all times. Don't hesitate to tell us anything, okay?" Arnold said, his voice full of emotion.

"Keep fighting, Bestie... It's just a challenge. You're strong," Jess added.

"Thank you, my Besties. Thank you for being there for me. I hope you won't get tired of listening to my problems," I said sadly.