The Possessive Psychopath

Chapter 36

Chapter 36: At Twenty-three

14 months later

Victoria Abbel's Point of View

"Are you sure this is all your belongings?" Napatingin ako sa nagsalita at agad tumango nang makita ko si Hiro na binubuhat ang ilang mga gamit ko sa loob ng kanyang kotse.

"Yep!" Masiglang sabi ko sa kanya at pumasok sa loob ng passenger seat. I didn't know that I've been suffering from a serious mood disorder fourteen months ago. Kung hindi pa ito sabihin ng pamilya ko ay hindi ko pa malalaman. Well, it requires hospitalization. Nang makabalik kami dito sa Pilipinas ay agad naman akong nagpa confine. I was closely monitored by the professionals. They stabilized my mood by giving me antidepressants and antipsychotic medications.

Thank goodness that I am able to recover. But they still monitor me from time to time that's why I have to go to the hospital. At ngayon ay sinundo ako ni Hiro dahil siya lang naman ang nandito. My brothers had been busy with their work and I don't want to pester them when they were working. Buti na lang at available si Hiro ngayon kaya naman siya ang narito. I think it's really effective when you're surrounded by familiar faces. I felt so comfortable to move and the support that I received from them helped me easily accept my condition.

I didn't know that it's been fourteen months already. It seems like it just happened yesterday. At least my mother is fine now, too. Dad is taking care of her. Minsan ay hindi rin ako makapaniwala sa sarili kong kakayahan. Bigla ko na lang napapaisip na talaga bang ginawa ko ang mga bagay na 'yon? I think there's something more. Napailing na lang ako habang sinusubukan ifocus ang tingin ko sa daan. I got a lot of realization when I was in the hospital.

Everyone has to grow with time. At twelve, I thought life is all about playing and conquering the world. At eighteen, I thought I figure it all out. At twenty-one, I was slapped by reality so hard. And now, at twenty-three, I still feel lost. Well, that summarizes what happened to my life. I clasp my hands over my chest. At this age, I have little understanding of life but who cares?

At least I decided to live or at least tried to live—the way I want. And that is to annoy all my cousins. Bakit naman hindi? Tutal, wala rin naman akong magawa sa buhay ko.

Hiro and I decided to eat in the nearby restaurant, nothing fancy, before going back to my own place. My dad doesn't like the idea of me living alone, but when Damien made sense to him, he allow me to live by myself. I think it's really a good idea to have your own place. At least you'll learn to live independently. But my dad still checks on me once a week. Sometimes, Clevon or Cainn will visit me at my place and stay there for days.

"What are you even doing here, Hiro?" Ito agad ang bungad ko sa kanya habang kinakain ko ang pasta na inorder ko. Binigyan naman niya ako ng makabuluhang tingin.

"Why does it feels like you don't want me here?" Sinundan ko ang paglagay niya ng kanyang kamay sa kanyang dibdib at umaktong parang nasasaktan.

"Ouch Victoria, you just hurt me." Sabi pa nito. I tried not to roll my eyes at him. Hiro loved to travel and it's so rare to see him in one place. Kaya naman nagtataka ako kung bakit narito pa rin siya kahit tapos na ang kasal ni Kelvin at Stacey. Magsasalita na sana ako nang may bigla na lang pumwesto sa gilid ng table na ginagamit namin ni Hiro.

"What a cheating jerk!" We're both startled when a woman just barged inside the restaurant and throw her bag at Hiro's face, buti na lang at naisalo niya agad ang bag ng babae. And I almost laugh when I saw the shock on his face but I hurriedly pressed my lips into a thin line when I saw how confused Hiro is right now.

Napatingin naman ako sa babae at doon ko lang napansin ang galit sa mukha nito. Her hair is long, longer than mine actually. Her eyes were big, glaring at Hiro who still look confused. She was wearing a pink top and black square pants. I pinched my legs so I won't laugh in this situation. This is my first to see Hiro caught off guard.