Glimpse of Evanescent Sanctuary

Panimula

-- ♡︎☽︎-⌫
𝖯𝖺𝗇𝗂𝗆𝗎𝗅𝖺

Have you ever felt so exhausted of being a kind soul?

Have you ever asked yourself the reason why you use to please other people so bad when it's not even your obligation?

In my case, I never did. I ipso facto proceeds to painting an exquisite reputation of myself to others' vision, not for my own good but for theirs. And it's so tiring. But I am afraid to fail them.

To dissapointed them.

Them.

Always them.

Always for them. Never for me.

"I will just give her a book as my gift," wika ko habang yakap ang nagkakapalang mga libro na in-order ko sa online.

"Winter, I don't think my classmate Rina is fond of books. You can give her merchandises of idols instead," sagot sa akin ni ate Flyn.

I nodded and proceeded to my room. I don't have many friends but I give gifts to my sisters' classmates whenever they are in the house preparing for thesis. Mababait talaga sila. I am very entertained when I talk to them.

Pinagpatas-patas ko ang mga librong napili ko at isinilid iyon sa maleta ko. Tomorrow will be Monday—the first day of the new school year for the students. Last month pa ako nag-enrol sa strand na Humanities and Social Sciences. Being homeschooled really made me stay at home for the rest of my childhood, and studying outside home made me really excited. I will finally meet new people; make friends, which I was deprived of since I'm isolated inside our house.

"Winter!"

Hindi pa ako nakakatagal sa loob ng kwarto ay narinig ko na ang matinis na boses ni ate Sora. Itinago kong muli ang maleta ko at nagmamadaling nagsuot ng tsinelas 'tsaka lumabas. Ate Sora's face was filled with amusement.

"Nasa baba na ang Balikbayan box from Tita! Tara ba?!" Iginiya niya ako pababa sa hagdan.

Tita Xanthia is our only aunt from our father side and she's an immigrant from Hongkong. We do not actually lack money to buy our own necessities but she often gives us monthly present. Her objective is to make us happy like we are her own children. Hindi na siya nagkasariling pamilya kaya kami na ang tinuturing niyang mga anak.

"Oy, ang daya! To Sora ang nakalagay 'tapos si Venus ang nagbukas!" maktol ni ate Sora kay ate Venus, while ate Flyn's busy opening her present.

I am the youngest of four, maybe one of the primary reasons why they care for me too much. I am usually left inside the house, obeying what my parents tell me to do. I would only go out if Mom and Dad require me to.

I won't deny, yes. It's choking me up. My only advantage is that I have my sisters that lightens up my mood and books that have always been my companions. Still, I am thankful that they opted to let me study in a school for the first time.

I unwrapped Tita's gift for me. My eyes glinted when I saw tons of books wrapped by a thick bubble wrap. She really knows my love for books!

"Again?" natatawang saad ni ate Venus atsaka nagbaba ng tingin sa mga librong hawak ko.

I pursed my lips and nodded. "Yes po."

"Let's see." Ate Flyn handed me the cutter to cut the bubble wrap.

Umusisa sila sa akin nang binuklat ko iyon isa-isa. Three of them were novel books while the other two are academic books. Dad probably told her that I am starting classes tomorrow, explaining the academic books.

"These are nice," ngisi ni ate Sora. I smiled in agreement.

I stayed in my room for an hour or two 'til I heard the voices of my parents downstairs. Malawak akong ngumiti at lumabas sa kwarto ko. Ang bilin sa akin ni Mommy ay bababa ako 'pag nakauwi na sila. They will orient me regarding the setup for my classes.