Chapter 2 The fight inside is breaking

Chapter 2

"If I answer you now, will you stop bothering me?" I challenged him. I noticed his surprise, but I merely raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.

"I'm waiting! Hurry up and answer, I have a lot to do, don't act like that!" I turned back to him.

His earlier shock had now turned into an incredulous smile and happiness. "Really? Are you going to answer me already?"

"Yes!" Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and spun me around. "Leave me alone, you fool!" I retorted, making it clear that he couldn't take me back to our house.

Once I returned home, I quickly went to bed and prepared a meal, which was just simple vegetables and rice. That's all I had on hand. Then, I soaked a white dress that I planned to wash in the morning.

"Why is this the only dish?" Sister Ingrid asked. They are currently eating, and I am just behind them to serve them. That's our habit; after they eat, then I eat. But I still have a brain, so when they are gone, I eat. They are lentils! But I can't do that when they are there. So it's lucky that sometimes there is meat left over for me.

"Aunt didn't have anything left to buy, so I just cooked what I saw," I replied when I agreed. Tiya used to leave money when there was nothing to cook, but not this time.

"Mom, I don't want this!" Tiya Lukring turned to me and gave me a bad look.

"Next time, learn to ask questions!" Tiya scolded me and hit me hard. "You're worthless!"

"Don't scold me!" Brother Gary, Tiya's husband, answered. "Later I'll be able to hear that cry again!"

And they all ate quietly. After they finished, it was my turn to clean and tidy up the house. When I got to my small and cramped room, I stretched out there.

"What a day," I muttered to myself, my thoughts swirling. "Is there any hope left to escape this miserable life?" As I contemplated my situation, I considered, "Maybe marriage is my only way out. I need to find a good person to marry, or else I might end up pregnant. Perhaps Dave could be an option; he's not as bad as he used to be." I held my breath, uncertainty looming.

From my vantage point, I gazed at the beautiful sky and the stars above. "Are you up there, Mom and my baby boy? Are you happy together?" I whispered, tears welling up. "I'll join you someday, I hope." My mind wandered to the dark times when I had contemplated suicide more than once, but the fear of ending my own life had often prevailed. What's worse, even if I had gone through with it, he couldn't forgive me for tormenting him, so I refrained from repeating those thoughts. How I would meet my end was now left to fate.

In recent days, Dave had grown closer to me, assuming the role of a boyfriend, though there were aspects I wasn't ready for. He confronted me in a hallway, frustration evident in his voice. "Are you really my sweetheart? You won't even let me kiss you!"

"Not now! I'm not ready!" I responded boldly, my heart still fluttering at the thought of him. Perhaps it could happen someday.

"That's frustrating," he muttered angrily as I walked away, choosing to ignore his protests and retreat inside.

After my class, I immediately searched for Dave, but I couldn't find him, so I decided to head home. However, I hadn't even placed my bag down when someone suddenly yanked my tied hair, causing me pain. When I looked, it wasn't Tiya Lukring next to Ate Ingrid.

"What? You're just going to flirt, huh? I raised you not for that, young lady! What's the use of your beauty if you don't help us become wealthy!" He shouted at me while gripping my hair.

"Auntie, it hurts!" I tried to free myself from his grasp, but I couldn't.

"I took care of you not because I care about you, but because you're supposed to be useful to us!" After saying that, he pushed and kicked me. "I'm in pain," I cried out as he continued kicking me, one blow even hitting my chest, making me wince.

"You'll break up with that man if you don't want to leave this house!"

I had considered leaving many times before, but every attempt failed. Once, we even reached the barangay, but Auntie acted so convincingly that others supported her.

"I don't want it, Aunt!" I firmly replied. Let him deal with me; I'm better off outside finding someone who will truly love me, maybe even Dave.

"What did you say?" He leaned over me and grabbed my hair again.

"I'm not breaking up with Dave!"

"And how courageous you are!" He yanked my hair as if it might come loose. He kept hitting, dragging, pulling, and kicking. My entire body was nearly numb from the pain. I wished I would lose consciousness like this, just end it all.

"That's because you're stubborn!" Sister Ingrid turned toward me. Where was Brother Pepe? He was the only one who ever stood up for me in situations like this, even though he was often absent.

When I grew tired, Tiya locked me in my room. I preferred it that way; I was alone. It was safer alone, no one could hurt me because I was the only one there. I didn't want to attempt ending my life again because there was no need. I'd let life wear me down until there was no choice but to finish me off. Sometimes, I envied those who were seriously ill; at least they...

"I already know they are going to die.

I always just lay on my bed. I only have a blanket there. What I make into a pillow is a combination of my clothes.

"Aren't you tired of looking at me? There's a little compassion there." I talk to heaven while lying down. I couldn't see the sky completely because my eyes were all the same. "When I fight, will you take me? Because now that I don't want to, you don't want to take me. It's a trick." And I cried. "Alright, if that's what You want, I'll fight. But just promise me that you'll take me right away, too. Go ahead! Have mercy!"

And I stood up and fixed myself even though my body hurt. I took my hidden biscuits and water from my bag and ate. I have to live. Every bite of that is the drop of my tears.

"You can do it, Sai. Your heart can do it!" And I wiped my tears and started planning my departure.

Daisy's POV."

This appears to be a passage written from the perspective of a character named Daisy who is contemplating their situation and making a decision to fight despite their initial reluctance.

"We met again. That's why my school grades are like yours!" I muttered to myself while eating fried eggs and rice. I had run out of food again, so I fried what I had left. "Luckily, I never became a man. Perhaps you'll see some pimples on my chin, and my acne might even multiply there by chance."

In the past few days, I noticed that Tiya was treating me differently. They often didn't visit or pay attention to me, which was better than having their constant attention. They finally let me in after my wounds had healed, and they allowed me to go on vacation in the province. My plan to escape this miserable house was in motion. I hoped it would be successful today, unlike my previous failed attempts.

"Hey! Tomorrow, after you come home from school, come with me to the mall. I just need to buy something," it was typical for me to accompany Ate Ingrid since I was the one she ordered around when she got tired of shopping. Gaga was certainly spoiled.

"Alright, sister," I replied sadly as I headed into school.

After entering the room, I underwent a change, especially upon spotting Betty amidst our unruly classmates. "Bet," I called out, but he ignored me. I grasped his arm and said sullenly, "Hey, why? I was only gone for a few days."

He looked at me and removed my hand gently, saying, "Dais, don't come near me anymore. My mother instructed me to stay away." My knees suddenly felt weak, and I stared at him, my eyes welling up with tears. It couldn't be Betty! He's the only friend I have.

"Why?" I cried, my voice trembling.

"They say your influence on me won't be good. I'm sorry," he replied, then turned away, saying to someone else, "Hey Carla, I'll have lunch with you later." I just stood there until our teacher arrived.

I was at school physically, but mentally, I wasn't present. Perhaps this was one of my saddest days yet. Another friend had turned against me. How many more would I lose?

"Baby, I miss you. You've been gone for a long time," Dave said to me after school.

"Dave, I feel bad. I will go ahead of you," I replied, saying goodbye and starting to walk.

"I'll take you," he offered, taking the books I was carrying.

"Don't stop, then I'll go shopping for a while. Alright," I took my book again, but he avoided it.

"I'm okay," he reassured me, and then we started walking. "Let's go to the Jeep so you don't get tired. The market is also far away," he said.

Dave and I sat at the end of the Jeep, with him near the driver. We were chatting when the number of passengers suddenly increased after passing Magsaysay University. It was almost time to go home. I sat tightly as three men in uniforms boarded. The man with the black facemask stood next to me, and it made me uncomfortable. I kept inching closer to Dave and glanced at him.

"Don't look back, huh? You only think of me," he said, annoyed.

"What's your problem!" I was about to turn around when he caught my face and blocked it with his hand. I closed my eyes immediately, not wanting to witness their behavior.

"Pre, it's a miracle you came with us, you whore! You're driving a jeep!" I heard one of the other men say, using derogatory language.

"Ogag, just now. I want to join you for a drink," that voice was serious.

"Just in time. I'd like to have a drink with you," the voice sounded earnest.

"It's good that you're allowed."

"That's why he's wearing a mask. Stop me, you crows!"

"Maria didn't tighten you today, huh?" The other said teasingly.

"We broke up just yesterday."

"Ah, so let's drink."

"Alright, let's go. Man, pay," said a passenger. I turned around, handed over the payment, and gave it to the driver.

"They say it's paid, Manong."

"It's beautiful!" I suddenly turned to them, and all of a sudden they were looking at me. What caught my attention was the man next to me. Her eyes are beautiful! "Psst! Let's switch seats, let's go." One of his companions was still shouting, but he couldn't take his eyes off me. I swallowed. When Dave opened his mouth, I just got confused and avoided retail.

'You've got Dave, crazy!'

"Go ahead here," Dave ordered me, obviously annoyed. But I really have nothing to complain about. "Let's switch seats." And we did change.

"There's a fence, man! Next!" One whispered but was heard.

"I saw you pick it up earlier, it's already in the parking lot." They will talk more.

"Of course, I hid it, idiot. I already texted Brother. That's the one who never commutes," Mask Rider Black said.

"Are you going to buy a lot?" I was taken aback by Dave's question.

"Because I told you, don't come," I whined, and my eyes went to the man again.

"You think!" Dave scolded me, and I just scolded him. "Para po," he shouted, and the jeep stopped. Suddenly I felt Mask Rider's deep gaze on me.

'Is he handsome without the mask?'

Dave went down first, and I followed, but the man and I looked at each other until we could walk.

"I told you it was beautiful!"

"Let's go here again tomorrow!"

I still hear them joking as friends.

When he got down, Dave's face was very wrinkled. "That's your crush, isn't it?"

"What are you saying? Stop me." And I walked and went to the vegetable market. "How much is this?" I asked about the onion. "Give me a break, make it less," I requested.

"You're beautiful, you're beautiful, but you're cheap!" The shopkeeper joked with me.

"Well, sister, I'm upset when my money doesn't fit. Come on, you're beautiful too." I'm flattered.

"Oh come on, just twenty. If only he wasn't happy with you." And pointed at Dave standing next to me like a fool. Get an onion, weigh and plinastic.

"Thank you! You are really beautiful. You really are the best in this market!"

"Oh, there, add some garlic. It's you," he continued after me.

"Oh, it's really working," then opened the plastic bag that the onion was placed in.

Dave took the plastic I was holding. "You're awesome! Your salesman earned nothing."

"Call that, strategy," I replied with a smile. We bought some more and wanted to snack on bread and soft drinks across from the bakery.

"I will pay," he offered.

"Alright, but add a piece of bread. I just have something to give."

We were already walking, and I was eating with the help of the old beggar who was always there on the side. I gave the bread and drink.

"Eat first, Mom."

Here's the English translation of the provided text:

"Oh my, you are so kind. Thank you."

I looked at him for a moment, and it was Dave.

"Why aren't you with Betty?" After asking that, I felt sad but came up with another excuse.

"Um... Because they have a group activity. I was the first one," I lied.

"Ah, I'll carry everything for you. It's heavy," he said, taking everything I was holding. I only had one hand left to hold the book.

"Um... Let's go..."

While walking to where we were staying, we encountered Tiya Lukring and Ate Ingrid. They gave us disapproving looks. I was extremely nervous and held Dave's hand when I noticed his hands were trembling. Why did I agree to let him accompany me? It's too late now. As we reached them, the two of them approached us.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Aunt asked with a high tone.

I bowed and stammered, "Tiya, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were here. He just helped me carry these things."

To my surprise, they turned to Dave and held onto his arm. "Oh my god, come to our house. This is my daughter Ingrid. She's in college, and that's my son in the business," she proudly introduced.

"Good afternoon," Dave politely greeted them.

"Lika, lika, don't be shy. Alas, please excuse him, Sai," they said as they walked ahead. Dave glanced at me, but I gestured that it was fine.

After I had set down my shopping and belongings, Aunt said with a smile, "Sai, please prepare a snack for him."

"Yes, Aunt," I replied and left them. It seemed like Dave needed help, but I decided to leave him to it. "That's mine, thank you," I took the other items he was holding. Afterward, I went to the kitchen, where Ate was waiting.

"You're quite popular! Even if your mother is difficult, someone will still care for you, right?" he teased me.

I looked at him and faced him directly. "Don't ever speak ill of my mother! You know nothing!" I stated firmly.

To Be Continued...