Move
Ibinaba ko ang kamay at ipinatong sa aking tiyan, hinayaan na lamang na humalik ang sinag ng araw sa aking mukha.
I love how light always finds a way to kiss me and remind me to look for the beauty in the gloom, no matter how dark it appears.
There is always light behind the dark clouds, a gleam of rainbow after the heavy rain, and the golden hour after evening twilight.
That's how I perceived everything. Gusto kong manatiling positibo, sa kabila ng mga negatibong ibinabato sa akin ng nakapaligid sa akin.
I never felt so free before. Sure, they're still judgments, and it's worse than what I've expected, but being free from my mother's comparison put me at ease.
Lola is three times stricter than my mother, but I love her parenting. I love that she focuses more on building up our weaknesses than comparing us.
My life might be perfect for being one of the wealthiest clans here in Caraga Region, and we are always praised for the beauty we possess, but the dirt of our parents scarred the almost perfect life we could ever have.
I closed my eyes when my mother's hurtful words rang in my ear.
"Don't forget that you are the first Ferrarin before Abrielle. You must do good. Dapat mas matalino ka, mas maganda, at mas angat sa lahat ng bagay sa kanya. Or else, Abrielle will get the attention you deserve the most. She will be favor by your father the most."
"But Mama, she's my sister."
"Gusto mo bang may kahati, Ayeselle?" she interjected.
It saddens me why my mother viewed my relationship with Abrielle as a competition. I'm glad that the loneliness I have from being the only child has finally broken. I am not tolerating the dirt of my father, but I just can't hate Abrielle.
My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a shadow over me, but before I could open my eyes, the ball immediately landed on my face.
The rush of footsteps slowed down as I roughly pulled myself up and opened my eyes. Sa matindi kong iritasyon.
Nilingon ko ang paligid at nakita ang naka half-jog na lalake, inangat ang mga kamay bilang pagsuko at itinuro ang volleyball players sa di kalayuan.
"Hindi ako," he said, but he's wearing a PE uniform.
This liar! I picked up the ball and stood. Inilahad ko sa kanya ang bola habang nagiging mabagal na ang paglalakad niya. He watched the ball carefully, as if he didn't trust me. I smiled.
"Kunin mo," sabi ko.
He stepped forward more, his hand ready to claim the ball. But before he could get it, I threw it against his face. He stepped backward and winced in pain while his eyes squinted a bit. The ball then bounces on the ground and rolls away.
"Sabing hindi ako!" marahas niyang sabi, hawak na ang kanyang ilong, at nagulo pa ng kaonti ang buhok.
"Hindi ikaw, but you're wearing PE!" I shouted.
"Bakit ba? Inutusan ako ng mga Junior High! Grade Eleven na ako!" he showed his ID.
I had a glimpse of his name. Tanging rison ang nakita ko lalo na't natatabunan iyon ng kanyang hinlalaking daliri lalo na't nadistract din kung gaano siya ka seryoso tingnan sa kanyang school ID. Probably Prison? Ang pangit ng pangalan!
The ball rolled on his feet. Before it could get away, he used his foot and threw it up skillfully, like how soccer players pick up the ball, and caught it with his left hand while he continued talking to me.
