(WRITTEN SERIES #3)
Having their hearts broken after an expected affair, Penny and Clifford unexpectedly found comfort from each other. But as the bond between the two of them deepens, secrets resurface as conflicts wreck havoc to their present. Can...
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PENNY
Weeks later...
"PENELOPE, be honest with us. Are you really okay?" Dad asked for the nth time, making me sigh as I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, Dad. How many times do I have to tell you? Iʼm okay! You have nothing to worry about," I assured, holding tight to my phone as I walked through my condo unitʼs living room.
"Then why are you leaving Richmond Fields?" he asked, his voice raising a bit. "You know you can tell us if thereʼs something bothering you."
"Dad, nothing is bothering me." I went inside of my room, closing the door before leaning on it. "I just want to try living by myself again. After all, Iʼm already an adult. Maybe itʼs time to finally start a new chapter of my life where I know how to stand up on my own feet."
From the other line, I could hear them sigh. I know that theyʼre not a big fan of what Iʼm trying to do, especially now that weʼve grown closer for the past few years.
"Honey, are you really sure about this?" It was Momʼs turn to speak. "How about your friends? Have you told them about this?"
"Yep. Iʼve already told them about it. As expected, ayaw rin nilang umalis ako, pero sabi nila na suportado nila ako kahit anoʼng maging desisyon ko."
Then, there was silence. Makalipas ang ilang sandali, narinig ko na lang ang pagbuntong-hininga nilang dalawa mula sa kabilang linya.
"If thatʼs what you want. Malaki ka naman na. Weʼre just here to guide you when things get hard," Dad said.
"But kung may problema ka, donʼt hesitate to call us as soon as possible, ha?" Mom reminded. "Weʼll try to tend to you, okay? Also, donʼt pressure yourself, honey. You just graduated. You know that you can start working for our company anytime you like."
I smiled as I nodded. After a few reminders from them, they finally dropped the call. Napahinga na lang ako nang malalim at ibinagsak ang sarili sa kama. Wala na akong ibang nagawa kundi mapatingin na lang sa puting kisame habang hinahayaan na malunod ako sa mga iniisip ko.
As time went by, the pain that I thought was already bearable became unbearable again to handle. Akala ko sa sarili ko, nasanay na ako sa sakit to the point na manhid na ako. But after that night, I realized that this time, I fell hard — harder than I did before. And as they said, all things that fall are bound to be broken.
I couldnʼt handle the pain anymore, so I thought that maybe... just maybe... I could forget all about it once I leave this town. I know that Iʼm being pathetic right now, but I just really, really need to take a break from everything thatʼs happening — even if it means that I have to leave for good.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako, ngunit kasabay nito ang biglang pagtunog ng tiyan ko. Bigla kong naalala na hindi pa pala ako nakakakain ever since I got home, and itʼs already dinner time!
