C2 Chapter 1

The clock strikes 5 it means I have to awake cause anytime by now,my arrogant mom will call me.Tinatamad pa rin akong bumangon sa kama pero dahil nga ayaw kong makatanggap na naman ng sermon mula kay mom eh sinumulan ko ng iunat ang braso ko at bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga ko ngayon.

I went to the bathroom,cleaning and grooming myself ayokong mahusgahan na naman ako ng nga step sisters ko mamaya pag nag video call kami.Yeah they are not here.

My parents get separated when I was 4.

I don't know the real reason why they decided to decouple but my mom always told me that they just fall out of love.Si mommy ng kumuha at nag alaga sa akin while my dad was keep on supporting me financially as well as emotionally.Binibisita ako ni daddy thrice in a week and give me all that I needed.We've been in that situation for almost 3 years.Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nalampasan ang mga bagay na yun pero buti nalang buhay pa ako ngayon.

I thought ganun lang ang mangyayari.Akala ko maghihiwalay lang ang parents ko at makikita ko pa rin sila pareho but I was wrong.Some tragedy happened in my life.

My father died when I was 7 years old.

Nakapanlulumo diba?Sa mura kong edad, marami akong naranasan na hindi ko dapat maranasan.If I could only turn back the time,sana kay daddy nalang ako sumama.I should have more memories with him.Hindi sana siya namatay.Siya ang pinaka close ko sa pamilya namin pero siya rin ang una-unang kinuha sa akin.Ang sakit,parang mababaliw ako nun.A 7 years old me should be enjoyed her youth and not suffering problem as those.Alam niyo ba yung pakiramdam na gusto mong maging masaya pero hindi mo magawa dahil sa family problems?That day,I promise to myself that I would never be like them.I would never be like my parents.Especially,I would never be like my Mom.

Eventually,my mom got a new husband.They planning to get married and I'm against with it.At first,I don't like Tito Lawrence for my mom.Mayaman,mayabang at masama ang ugali pero as the years by pass I learn to accept him as the husband of my mom pero hindi ang maging ama sa akin.No one can replace my dad,his the best dad for me and I love him very much.Even though he's already gone,I'm always thankful that I had a father like him.

Nasa Canada ngayon si mommy kasama si Tito Lawrence at mga step sisters ko na sina Maica, Kevin and Shera.Actually anak sila ni Tito Lawrence sa una niyang asawa.Hindi ko din gusto ang mga step sisters ko, masyado kasi silang papansin.

Kaya nga I decided to stay here in the Philippines and live on my own.I got this condominium where I use to live right now.Mga 3 years na rin sila doon and 3 years na din akong naninirahan mag isa at sinusubukang mag survive sa mundo na puno ng mapanghusgang tao.

Kumuha ako ng itlog sa ref for my breakfast.There a lot of bread in the table so I don't have to buy another one.Pre heated na ang kawali kaya inilagay ko na ang itlog doon pero may biglang tumalsik na mga mantika sa aking kamay.

Hindi naman masakit kasi hindi naman ako nakakaramdam ng sakit

Magkakapeklat na naman ako dahil sa katangahan ko pero ayos lang hindi din naman ako masyadong concern about sa looks ko.Im not like the other 1st year college students na halos mapuno na ng make up ang mukha,halos lumuluwa na ang dibdib sa sikip ng suot at parang pato na kung maglakad dahil sa pinapangakandakan nila ang kanilang mga pwet.Hanggat nakikita kong maayos pa ang katawan at mukha ko sa salamin eh kuntento na ako doon.

Hinain ko na ang niluto ko at hinanda ang breakfast ko.Wala akong kasama dito kaya lahat ng trabaho pati na pagluluto ay kailangan kong gawin para mabuhay.Susubo na sana ako ng tinapay ng biglang tumunog ang laptop ko na nasa sofa ngayon.Kinuha ko iyon at ipinatong sa table,tinignan ko rin kung sino ang tumatawag at hindi nga ako nagkamali tinawagan na naman ako ng butihin kong ina

Video Call

(Hi anak kumusta kana diyan?)

"Still alive and kicking"tugon ko habang inisubo ang kapirasong tinapay

(Did you get the money that I lend to you?)

"Yeah thats a great help for me thanks"

(Are you already enrolled?I heard for your friends na hindi ka daw sumama sa kanila nong nag pa enroll sila?)

"Mom I don't have friends maybe the persons that you've been talking to are the persons who hated me a lot"

I really hated when she talks about being friendly and other stuffs related to it.I just wanna be alone cause I been betrayed once and I don't want to go back in that situation again

(Yashlyn,your already entering your college life right now.Be sociable naman anak,be friendly siguradong marami ang makakasundo mo)

"Nahh I don't thinks so.Mas gugustuhin ko pang ikulong ang sarili ko sa condo kaysa makipag plastikan sa mga tao"

(Here we go again,why won't you just live and act like a normal upcoming college student sweetie?)

"Am I not normal?Is this because of my condition or what?That's it I'm done with this nonsense conversation "inis na wika ko sa kanya.Akma ko na sanang isasara ang laptop ko ng Bigla mag wika muli ang magaling kong nanay

(No,hindi ganon ang pinapahiwatig ko anak)

"Oh really?Kaya ba pina enroll mo ako sa isang dancing workshop ngayong summer?Para makipagkaibigan or maybe makipagplastikan?"sarkastikong tugon ko

(Nope honey I'm thinking that you might like it there.Yung workshop na yun ay pagmamay ari ng kaibigan ko and since you like dancing naisipan kong isali ka doon.You might improve and enhance your dancing skill in there)

"Mom have you forgotten?The last time I dance in public was just 5 years ago.I don't even think nagagawa ko pa yun ngayon"

It will be so embarrassing if I dance again baka gawin pa nila akong katatawanan doon

(I'm sure you do that cupcake,much better than you did before besides wala ka rin namang gagawin diyan.Instead of locking yourself in your condo, why won't you try something to ease your boredom this summer?)

"Oh well hindi na ako makakatanggi pa.I bet that you already pay for my workshop there"

(Yeah and ngayon mag sisimula ang worship niyo so good luck my baby)

"What!?Today?But I just--"

(Don't be late,okay?Do your best bye bye)

"Ugh!Bye"I hissed at her

Tuluyan ko nang sinara ang laptop ko at hindi ko na rin natapos ang pagkain ko dahil kailangan ko nang maghanda para dancing workshop na yun.Mom do a lot of things for me even though I don't like it.Ganyan talaga ako makipag usap sa kanya that's why I admit that I'm not a good daughter.I hate her before and even now.I don't even get along with dad now cause she phohibited it.Even in my decisions in life siya lagi ang nasusunod.I can't refuse or decline what she do or said to me.I still need to obey and respect her cause she's my mother.

Matapos kong nagbihis ay dinala ko na ang munting backpack ko.Sinigurado ko munang naka lock ang pinto bago ako umalis baka may magnanakaw pang manira at kumuha ng mga gamit na iniingatan ko.My mom texted me the address kanina I just need to follow these guide.Nasa labas na ako at pumara ng masasakyan ko tiyempo namang may taxi na nakaparada sa di kalayuan kaya sumakay na ako doon.I give him the address and he drive me right there were it was located.

I was amazed nang makarating na ako doon.The place was quite big and colorful.Banners are everywhere there were flowers and different decoration in every corner.Kung sino man yung kaibigan ni mommy na sinasabi niya kanina na may ari nitong shop,talagang mayaman siya I wish I could be successful someday just like her

While entering the establishment I see people who do stretching and other stuffs.Marami kami dito ngayon and I can't conclude who is our mentor. Maraming gamit sa loob tulad nalang ng malaking mirror na nasa may harapan.May recorded music din na nag pa-play habang sumasayaw ang mga tao.Magkaliwa't ka an din ang mga nag lalaki gang speakers,DVD and CD players at iba't iba pang sound system items.

Umupo muna ako sa may gilid at hinintay na magsimula ang workshop namin.

Sa tingin ko pwede naman sigurong umiglip muna ako nang kaunti.Ang boring talaga dito and Im not good at befriending anybody.Kinuha ko ang aking bag at ipinatong iyon sa may lap ko para maging unan ko sana.I was ready to take a nap when a moron interrupted me

"Hi bago ka dito?"dahan-dahan akong lumingon kung sa an nanggagaling ang boses na iyon at laking gulat ko nang makita ang isang gwapong lalaki sa harapan ko

I'm not interested with him.I just complimented him cause he's really handsome and good looking guy.Captivating eyes,pointed nose,alluring eyebrows and lips the man of dreams of every usual teen age girl but not me.

"Are you deaf?Don't worry I know some sign language.Ano nga ba yun..ahh eto"wika niya habang ginagawalaw ang mga daliri at kamay niya na para bang may pinapahiwatig ang mga ito

Uh-oh this guy was much worse than I think.He really think that I'm deaf just because I don't talk to him?Oh such a dummy!I don't have no idea about sign languages but I must stop him what he been doing right now

"I'm not deaf maybe you are"direktang wika ko sa kanya

"Nagsasalita ka naman pala eh sorry ha akala ko kasi pipi at bingi ka"sambit niya

"Do I look like a girl who can't speak and hear those words you've been said before"sarkastikong tugon ko sa kanya

"Grabe ang sungit mo naman,nakikipag kaibigan lang"simpleng sabi niya sa akin

"Well you've talking to the wrong person.Hindi ako mahilig makipagkaibagan kaya lubayan mo na ako"naiiritang sambit ko

"Demitri Mikhael Sanchez"

"What?"napakunot ang noo ko nang narinig ang sinabi niya

"Name ko yun,ano ba yung sayo?"nakangiting wika niya

"Ah excuse me I didn't ask for your name and you wouldn't have the right to know mine so back off"sambit ko naman sa kanya

"Yashlyn Gel Shang Diaz pala ha.Wait may lahi ka bang Chinese? "daldal niya pa

"How did you--"

"Nasa ID mo oh"

Napatingin ako sa aking bag at napansing naka usli pala yung high school ID ko.Shit bakit nilagay pa ni mommy to dito dapat talaga hinalughog ko muna tong bag nato bago ko to dalhin.Agad ko namang isinuksok sa bag ko ang ID na iyon

"It's non of your business,okay?My name isn't a relief pack to be given to anyone so just shut up cause I'm going back to my eternal peace"

Bigla namang dumating isang matangkad na babae sa tingin ko siya ang magiging mentor namin ngayon.Kaya umalis na ako sa kinalalagyan ko kanina at para na rin makalayo ako sa nakakainis na lalaking yun.Pinatipon muna kami sa isang bakanteng lugar para marinig namin ng maayos ang sasabihin ng mentor namin

"Good Day!I'm Kara hut you can call me 'Ate K'. Ako ang mag ha handle ng class today.For those who haven't know me very well pala,I'm a professional dancer and a fitness instructor so I hope na you would obey my instructions and you will have fun while we do some dancing steps and other stuffs"paliwanag sa amin ni Ate K

"For our first class I will be teaching you all with a classic dance which is waltz.It is one of the most easiest ballroom dances to learn because it is slow,smooth dance and uses four steps"wika pa ni Ate K habang lumalakad sa apat na corners ng studio namin.

"It has distinctive 3/4 timing with a flowing style.Once you add a rise and fall with your body expression,you'll definitely shine on the dance floor!I'll teach you the steps of waltz and pagkatapos nun humanap kayo ng kapareha and present your dance mamaya"ani muli ni Ate K na di nawala ang masiglang ngiti sa kanyang mukha

Nagsimula na kami sa aming dancing workshop.Unang naming pri-naktis ang isang sayaw na by partner dapat kaya isa isa kaming nag hanap ng makaka pareha namin and dito ako hindi magaling.Itinuro sa amin ni Ate K ang mga steps.Madali lang naman kasi hindi kailangan masyadong kumembot or what.ButI didn't like the idea of befriending anyone or being attach to someone for some reason.

Nang matapos ang oagtuturo ni Ate K at nagsihanap na ang mga kasama ko ng kapareha nila.I guest ako lang ata ang walang partner ngayon kaso kahit saang sulok ako tumingin lahat may kanya kanya nang ka pareha.Well,ganon nga yata ang buhay in the end I will be forever alone

"May partner ka na ba?"bigla akong bumalik sa ulirat ko nang marinig ang boses ng napaka familiar na lalaki

"Mukha bang meron akong ka pareha dito?wala naman diba"I rolled my eyes on him.He look familiar,parang nakita ko na siya dati kaso di ko maalala kung saan

"Ah ganon ba...Tayo nalang!"tuwang tuwa niyang sambit

"Correction,walang tayo kaya bumalik ka na dun sa pwesto mo at iwan mo na akong mag isa"pagsusungit ko pa sa kanya

"Alam mo tatandan ka mag isa dahil sa gaspang ng ugali mo"puna naman niya sakin

"Then let it be,I don't care"simpleng tugon ko sa kanya.Nagulat naman ako ng may isang babaeng lumapit sa amin.She has clear skin,rosy cheeks and almost perfect face.She really is a pretty woman.Bigla tuloy akong na conscious sa sarili ko siguradong nasa kalingkingan lang ako nang ganda.Pffftt nevermind,what I am talking about!My parents already compare me with other people,should I compare myself with them too?

"Hey Demitri it's been a while,may partner ka naba?"tanong ng magandang babae kay Demitri

"Oh ikaw pala yan Chaie.Long time no see,the last time I saw was the last dance competition I joined.Kamusta kana?"masiglang tugon naman niya

"I'm fine eto nag da-dance workshop pa rin para ma improve ang dancing skills ko hehe"wika naman nung Princess

"Yeah right.May partner ka na ba?Kasi ako wala pa eh"sambit naman ni Demitri

Grabe nagmumukha akong third wheel sa kanila.They keep on flirting to each other without knowing that I'm still here.

"Tayo nalang kaya ulit?I mean tayo nalang ulit mag partner.Ganito rin naman tayo dati diba?"wika nung Chaie.

Im a lil bit confuse about the word 'ulit' that she said.I have a hunch that she and that Demitri might had a relationship in the past.I'm not sure but that's what I feel.

"A-Ah sige agree ako.Umm masungit na babae alis muna kami ha.Sana makahanap ka ng partner mo"wika ni Demitri at naglakad na pa palayo kasama si Chaie

Hindi ko talaga gustong pumunta dito.My mom just forced and not I'm stuck with this workshop.Nakapili na ng partner ang lahat.Odd pala ang number namin which means my isang hindi makakapagsayaw ngayon dahil walang kapareha.And ako yun,umupo nalang ako sa may bleachers at pinagmasdan silang sumayaw.

Mas okay na yung ganito.I don't have to showcase what talent I have.Hindi ko gustong sumayaw sa harap ng maraming tao.With their sharp tongues and unending judgements,siguradong mapapahiya lang ako sa harapan nila.Im not a good dancer but I can dance.Sadyang takot lang ako sa mga judgements.Minamaliit ko na nga ang sarili pati pa naman ba yung ibang tao makakasaksi sa kakayahan ko

Isa-isa nang nagtanghal sa entablado ang mga kasam ko dito sa dance studio.Npaka galing at flexible nila yung iba medyo natatapilok pa at mukhang hindi sanay mag saway ng waltz

Huling nag perform ng sina Demitri at Chaie.They really look good together.If my hunch is right,they might have a very happy relationship back then

Halos lahat ng nasa workshop room namin ay namangha at natuwa sa kanila.The crowd was filled with claps and shouts from their supporters.

I wish I could be just happy like them but I know I wouldn't because

I'm different