Stuck in Between

Chapter 10

"Thank you Theo. I don't know how to repay you."

"You don't have to," he said in an assuring way.

"I know we just met, but I'll be here whenever you need me."

I'm speechless. I can't say anything. Nobody, except Lei, Yanz, and our kuyas, treated me like that.

Everyone sees me as 'malandi' and 'unworthy'.

I don't really care. I've heard so much worse. Pinaglihi ako sa sama ng loob no.

"Thalie get some rest. Sleep ka na." he said.

"Oh uhm, thank you Theo. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." he said and hung up.

If I were to be honest, I'm scared. Theo may be there to cover up for me and everything but knowing my dad, he would do anything. And when I say anything, even if it means dirtying his own hands.

He cared for no one. He was all about power.

I'm sick of him. I'm sick of this life. Sometimes I'm wondering, when will I ever be free? No worries, not thinking about who my father can hurt.

I'm about to reach my limit. I'm praying each and every night. Please set me free. I want to enjoy my life.

"Thal,"

"it's 10 o'clock in the morning. You can't skip breakfast." my brother said while holding a tray.

"Here, dito ka na kumain. If you don't feel like going out, just chat me. I'll bring you food for lunch and dinner."

"Calm yourself down. Don't worry, you're safe with me. Just trust kuya, okay?" pahabol nya pa.

I just smiled at him. What did I do in my past life to have an older brother like him.

I went to my cr to take a bath. I don't usually use this, but I don't want to go out.

I know my brother is there, Lei's and Yanz's brothers are there, but I can't help to overthink.

What if my dad suddenly kidnaps me? Funny how I don't trust my father.

I don't even know if I should call him my father. He was never a father to me. He is a lecturer. A trainer. A teacher. A dictator. He never asked what I want to do. He never praised me.

I graduated top of my batch during grade 6, grade 10 and grade 12. But he never said "Congratulations" nor "I'm proud of you."

When I finished showering, I saw that the tray wasn't there already. Baka kinuha na ni kuya.

I decided to sit on my bed and watch a movie. Movies rather, because I'll probably watch 10 or more today.

No one is going out of this room for today.

I'm watching Conjuring. Nakailang ulit na siguro ako pero wala natatawa lang ako.

Patapos na yung movie nang biglang kumatok si Lei.

"Thalie?" tawag nito.

"Pasok!" sigaw ko.

"Ano, ito oh pinapaabot sayo." she said.

"Hoy sino nagbigay." she left right after that.

Hinayaan ko nalang since tinatamad ako tumayo.

It's a stuffed toy. A dog stuffed animal.

It's name is Calle. I think I've read this name somewhere in the internet, nakalimutan ko na kung saan.

There are also gummies, marshmallows and a small cake. These are my comfort foods, who sent this?

Someone messanged me.

Theo: Narecieve mo ba?

Oh... It's him?

Thalie: Ikaw yun?

Theo: Yes, did you like it? Is it too much? Sorry if it is, I just want to cheer you up.

Thalie: Thank you:(

Thalie: but how did you know...

Theo: Your comfort foods? I asked Lei and Yanz.

Theo: Anyways, I have to go. I'll talk to you later, take your time, cheer up:)

I don't know what to say or what to think. I was staring blankly at the stuffed animal.

I noticed that there is a small note hidden.

"It's name is Calle, it means free. Talk to it anytime. Open up to it. It knows you'll get there too, you'll have the freedom you've been wanting. Just hold on a little bit more:)"

Can he read my mind or what?

I suddenlt burst into tears. I felt like there's too much weight on me. I'm tired, I really am.

"Hi Calle,"

"I love your name." I said while my tears are falling.

"Do you think I'll be able to find and get my own freedom?" I asked the stuffed animal like it would talk to me.

I hugged the stuffed animal and it suddenly produced a sound.

A voice particularly. It's Theo, he's singing.

He is singing Be There for You. His voice is so sweet and soothing that I fell asleep because of it.

"Ate Thal?"

"Ate it is 1 in the afternoon na po. Eat na daw po kayo sabi ni kuya Kaizer." he said while holding a tray.

"Sorry daw po 'di sya ang nag-dala. May online conference po kasi s'ya sa U.S. eh."

"It's fine, thank you." I said then smiled.

Aiden left after that.

I pressed the dog's paw again to hear Theo singing.

It played a different song this time. He sang Fly Away with Me.

I'm surprised that it can play a 3-minute song.

I listened to it while eating.

"Fly away with me baby~" His voice calms me down like it's some magic.

After eating I opened my tv to watch a movie again.

I watched Your Name this time.

Bigla kong naisip, what if nakipagswitch din ako ng buhay sa ibang tao? What if normal life ko? Hays when kaya.

Instead of crying, nag-open nalang ako ng gdm

Dyn: Kung ang hotdog ay red, bakit hindi pink?

Lana: Hindi nyo nanaman ba pinainom ng gamot tong si Dyn?

Dyn: Sama ng ugali mo hayop

Lana: Ugali lang sakin, ikaw sama na ng ugali mo sama pa ng mukha mo

Dyn: aBA GRABE KA NA AH

Cass: HWHAHHAHAHAHAHAH bardagulan nanaman kayo jan

Aly: DyLa bardagulan 101

Alex: HAHAHAHAHA gago dyla ampota

Dyn: Nanggagago ka ba Aly? Anong dyla shuta HAHAHAHAHAHA

Lana: Kadiri ha

Thalie: hoy anong dyla ang gago nyo HAHAHHAAHHA

Cass: Aly sana ayos ka pa

Aly: Hindi na nga ate eh

Made my day. DyLa. Tawang tawa ako kay Aly. This gdm feels like home. They will never make you feel alone.

Mga gago at gaga nga lang.