Clutch of Affliction

Chapter 16

tw: abuse

This is all bullshit. My life didn't even hide the fact that it's bullshit. My life itself is bullshit.

After running this far, there's still someone who will chase you. And what matters now will be the fastest to run.

"Scared, huh?" Tonton whispered, only for me to hear.

"You are disgusting."

He just laughs as if there is something funny. Baliw.

"'Wag na 'wag mo akong tatalikuran," babalang sabi niya at hinawakan pa ng mahigpit ang braso ko.

"Wala kang karapatan utusan ako,"

Ngumisi siya, "Si Amara na lang ang uutusan ko kung gano'n,"

Nagulat ako at tinignan siyang nasama. "'Wag mong pakiki alaman si Amara, Tonton,"

Nag kibit balikat siya. "Madali ako kausap, Liza. Basta sumunod ka lang sa gusto ko,"

"Ano bang gusto mo, huh?" inis kong tanong.

"Ikaw," ngisi niya. "Bilisan mo mag-isip, baka mainip ako."

Iniwan niya akong tulala. Nasa field kami ng school at naka upo sa isang bench.

"Earth to Liza," Mia snapped.

It made me back to reality. The reality that is haunting me.

"Hey, you okay?" asked Mia, sitting next to me.

I sigh. "Yeah,"

"I saw you and Tonton talking," she said, "and I hope you know who he is."

"I know that, of course," I smiled bitterly.

"Do not engage with him, Liza. He is a dangerous spoiled brat,"

I didn't respond. I knew him to be a disrespectful son to his old father. Long ago.

"Anyway, do you already sent your resume? Next week will be the start of the internship," said Mia, while on her phone.

"Yes,"

She looks at me. "Then, what's the response? Are you accepted?"

I nod.

She became loud and didn't stop saying she was excited. Mia and I applied to the same company. She insists on us being in the same company.

It is a big firm and a well-known company all over Laguna, even the whole country. They give excellent work that makes people trust them with the service they make. I did my research before applying.

"Welcome," the staff greeted. "Let me take you on a tour and bring you to the meeting area."

We followed her while listening. She's introducing us to every department we passed by. Also touring us to the department we were working to. We are a total of fifteen interns here in the company. Though some of us were not in the same department.

This internship will be our final semester. We'll collect the hours they required and then we'll be done. This internship is a good way to practice and gain experience so you can face the world after you graduated.

The meeting was just a simple clarification and orientation for us. The do's and don't and also the other requirement we must obtain.

"Bakit hindi tayo same department?" Mia pouted.

"Magkatabi lang naman department natin," ani ko.

Bumuga siya ng hangin. "Kahit na,"

Napa ngiti na lang ako at tumalikod sa kaniya para hindi ako makita.