"You still have to pay for what you did, though. Huwag pakampante." Inirapan ko na lang ang sinabi niya. Matapos niyang sabihin lahat ng rules and regulations niya rito sa bahay such as keeping it clean and the need for me to find work, pilit niyang binabalik yung ginawa ko raw sa kaniya that morning. Duh! "Bakit hindi mo sila kausapin? In other ways like SNS?" dagdag niya. Gosh. Oo nga pala. Though, I'm certain they won't reply back kahit pa man ganun. Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa room niya at nagproceed sa insta ko. What the hell? I went to my other SNS accounts and they are all suspended! How?! What is happening here?! Nung nakaraan okay pa insta ko ah?! I can't create new accounts... hindi nila pinapansin kapag message request sa fb or sa insta. They are busy sa company... "What happened?" he asked while standing at the doorway. "Nothing will happen anymore. Wala na! I think they really did this to me on purpose!" I shouted! Dad and that woman! Naconsume na ba siya ng step-mom ko? "Don't spout nonsense. Hindi ka naman nakasisiguro," He replied. I rolled my eyes, "Whatever." "Just sleep and save your energy. You have school right?" "You don't care." Sagot ko. Naglakad na siya papasok ng room. Wait! "Hey! Saan ako matutulog?" Gosh, this guy. He turned to me, "What do you mean? There's the couch." What the? Is he serious? "Excuse me, I'm a girl." Sambit ko. "So what? Are you so weak that you can't sleep there like normal people would? Don't give me that look." "I want to sleep in a bedroom." "Huwag ka nang mag-inarte at magpasalamat ka may tutulugan ka. My living room is even cleaner than you." Gosh! Kapal! So he's serious, huh? "Get back in here! Hey!" Sigaw ko sabay bato ng unan sa kaniya pero ang tinamaan lang nito ay ang pinto niyang naisara na. How dare he? So inconsiderate! I sighed. I guess I'll have to deal with this for now. I do have to talk to the chairman of my school tomorrow. Diretsyo ko na sa kaniya sasabihin. Umayos na ako at nahiga. Argh! Lagpas ang legs ko! I have no choice but to fit myself on this couch. Ano bang mayroon sa lalaki na yun? Masyado kung makapag order! Kainis! Tiningnan ko ang kisame. Ano na kayang nangyayari sa Ph? Are they even thinking about me? Mukhang wala nang purpose kung tapusin ko pa 'tong med. Kaso... I really want to show dad—them, that I am also capable. "OMG!" Sigaw ko. Napatayo ako dahil sa narinig kong kalabog mula sa room niya. What happened? I stood up and walked to his door. I leaned closer to hear clearly. "I can't just accept that," he said while catching his breath. Galit na galit 'to ha? Ano bang mayroon? "No... I will deal with this. Maybe I can pursue her. Don't worry it'll be fast." Siya ulit. He's probably on the phone. Sinong girl naman kaya yun? Ah! Baka yung fiancée niya? Tsk tsk... Basta labas ako riyan! I know I did nothing wrong! "Yes.. yes... We just need to figure out how. I will hang onto my freelancing for the meantime." Sana lahat may ganap sa buhay... Narinig ko ang mga yapak palapit sa akin. Omg! Agad akong napaatras mula sa pinto. Muntik pa akong may mabangga! Naglakad na ako pabalik sa couch. "Why are you still up?" His authoritative voice sent shivers to my spine. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama ha? Hinarap ko siya, "Charger ko... ano, nasa room mo pa. I was about to get—" "Sige na." He cut in. He walked to his kitchen while still holding the phone to his ears. Okay... Pumasok ako ng room niya. Napatigil ako. Ang daming kalat! And... yung mga display niya na nasa desk niya... ngayon ay sira-sira na at nasa lapag. This guy... Lumapit ako sa desk niya at kinuha ang charger ko. Nakuha ng atensiyon ko ang laptop niya. Hmm... Tingnan ko kaya— "What are you still doing here?" Napatayo ako kaagad. Kanina pa ako ginugulat nito ah. "Gosh... give me a blanket atleast..." bulong ko. Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko sa room niya ay sumara na ang pinto. Kundi ko lang kailangan ng place ngayon... hmp! Wait... so... I checked my sling bag and fortunately, I still have fresh undies-- but it's the last pair. Argh! And I have to wear the same clothes I've been wearing for days? Luminga-linga ako sa paligid. Yung closet niya nasa room eh. Hmm... Pumunta ako sa balcony ng unit niya and may nakitang mga nakasampay doon. He's neat huh. I mean... his style is... neat. I grabbed one of those and yes! Patuyo na 'to. I just needed one for tomorrow. It is a plain white polo shirt that I know, lagpas sa'kin. I will pair it with his jeans na lang din. Gosh! My fashion sense will follow me around so it must be great! "So what's your plan? Going to the chairman directly... Mr. Ty is no joke and the fact that you both have the same last name is just nuts," sambit ni Alyssa. My acquaintance. "What plan?" I laughed, "I've got this." "Ms. Ty, the Chairman, is calling for you." Tawag ng secretary niya ata. Tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa waiting room at pumasok sa room. Dire-diretsyo akong lumakad papunta sa harapan niya. He's sitting now, on his desk, sipping his coffee. He laughed when he saw me. "Oh... you sure are coming in too strong for someone who has left matters, aren't you, Ms. Ty?" he asked while looking at me. Gosh. I'm atleast thankful na nakapagset ako ng appointment with him. Dapat lang, my dad is doing his part. Nang 'di ako sumagot ay tumayo siya. Ngayon ay magkalevel na kami. He smirked. Lumakad siya at naupo sa isa sa mga sofa. "Why don't you sit first? Hmm? Want some coffee?" He asked. Naupo ako sa isang sofa. I am now sitting across him. I crossed my legs. "I don't need any of this. I just want to say that some of your professors are acting so high and mighty these days," I paused and smirked at him. "...and I don't like that." Nagtaas lang siya ng kilay at nakangiti ngayon. He laughed once again while leaning unto his sofa. "Hahaha, I'm sorry, Ms. Ty." Glad you know. "...but you have no right to say that." He added. What is he...? "Excuse me?" I leaned forward. "Hmm... I was wondering why your parents are acting this way? One week late? I have matters too and even if things are... well anyways, business is business." I just looked at him. Gosh, bakit pa kasi natigil padala nila? Now he's pestering me. "What now Ms. Ty? Hmm? Besides, I'm not sure if you're still in contact with them..." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Napatitig na lamang ako sa kaniya. He can't know... "That leaves you alone, doesn't it?" He chuckled. He can't... "Okay. I'll drop out instead." I said. He just looked at me. "Oh? Really? Giving up already? Why don't you try your chances here? You know, something like being a real passer of the test?" I clenched my fist. I can already feel the sting in my eyes. You can't do this. Not to me. Not when I am a Ty as well. My dad did his best to get me through this crappy school because he wants me to do something. Ngayon lang niya ulit ako napansin... when it is about medical school. I can't let this pass. But I need to scare this man a bit. "You can't? How come your cousins did though..." I slammed the table. "Oi!" he screamed. A secretary entered the room. "S-sir?" I just smiled at him, "You bet... I'll drop out of this school and you will see..." sorry dad... I need to do this. Contact me na kasi! "Then? So what?" Bahala na. I need to win this. I hope he wouldn't see through me... "Forget about this school because the whole world will know how this institution wronged a Ty... Gosh... I think I need to stay in touch with my SNS now..." I pouted after those words. Mas powerful kami kaya 'di porket Ty rin siya ganiyan na siya. Now it's his turn to clench his fist. He waved at his secretary to go out and she did. He leaned closer. Uh oh... I can already see droplets of sweat on his forehead. Rich people and their reputation. I'm rich but I don't belong to them. I smirked again. Suspended accounts ko but... I need this! "What do you want?" He asked... he's trying his best to smile. But it doesn't even reach his eyes. Poor guy. "You know what I want. Otherwise, good luck to your institution." I stood up and walked to him. "Don't you dare question me about my contact with my family. You think I don't know how you only want to be showered with my dad's fame? You hated my guts but... I hated yours too," I said and walked to the doorway. Bago ko hawakan ang doorknob ay humarap ako sa kaniya, "Oh, and I need books and stuff also... a good student must have all the necessities right? Or else..." I closed then opened my palm as a gesture. I can already see that it hit something in him through his eyes. "S-sure, Ms. Ty." I smiled as an answer and left the room. Nadaanan ko si Alyssa sa may waiting room. 'Di pa siya papasok? "Hey Daliah! How's the talk? I still can't believe you talked with the chairman!" agad niyang tanong nang makalapit siya sa akin. "Yup! I told you, I've got this." She sighed, "You should mind your grade now, okay? You can't always do this. We don't know when they will give you a chance to speak with him again." Whatever. Gosh! I'm tired! "Let's go to our next class?" Next class? "You go, Alyssa. I will just rest." Pagkasabi ko ay naglakad na ako palayo. "B-but—Daliah! You will be kicked out of this school if you continue doing that!" She shouted. I just waved my hand while walking away from her. I need a rest from all this drama. It won't hurt naman siguro. Besides, dad's not answering my calls too. So I think it's fair. I checked my SNS and they are still suspended. It's not long before he finally discovers it. Gosh... they need to answer my calls na! Dad... I can't call my step-mom since wala rin naman akong number niya. Isa pa, she doesn't care about me at all! Baka nga siya pa nag-plan nito. Omg. Hindi ko pala nahingi yung spare key! Paano ako papsok nito? Tinry kong pihitin yung doorknob and bukas 'to. Oh? Andito na siguro siya. I checked my phone and it's just three in the afternoon. 'Di ba nag-aaral pa siya? Gosh! The hell I care? Naglakad ako papuntang living room. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko at puro scraps ng metal at kung ano-ano ang nagkalat sa sahig. Tapos may mga papers na nakagroup pero nakapatong lang sa iba't ibang part ng sofa at coffee table. What is this? I walked past the mess. My eyes are met with his eyes... this time it is not dark nor overpowering... it looks... worried? "Anong... mayroon?" I asked. Pero nilagpasan niya lang ako at tinuon niya ang pansin sa mga nakakalat. Narinig kong may nag-ring at sinagot niya ito. "What? Yes, yes. I'm working on it now. What? I thought... I'll come over there, right now." he said while talking on the phone. Ano bang ginagawa nito sa buhay niya? "What?!" tumingin pa siya sa akin at may binulong sa phone. Binalibag niya ang phone na ikinagulat ko. Napaatras ako. Omg... Wala akong ganap diyan ah! Napaupo siya sa floor at napahilamos sa mukha niya. Pumunta na lang ako sa kitchen at pumunta sa ref. Kumuha ako ng baso sa gilid at nagsalin ng tubig. Habang umiinom ay may napansin ako sa pintuan ng ref. Mga bill of notice... Tiningnan ko si Marcus. Ngayon ay abala siya sa pag-aayos ng papers. I squint my eyes para mabasa yung isa sa mga nasa papel. Oh... it looks like a permit... Lumapit pa ako. Business permit? Muli kong nilingon yung nasa ref. Bayaran na... may business siya-- well starting, I guess? Saan siya nakakakuha ng money for this? Wait, so let me get this straight. He's a working student? Woah, way to go! Naglakad na ako palayo ng kitchen dala yung baso ng tubig. "Omg!" I screamed. Muntik ko nang matapon yung tubig sa peprs niya. Thank goodness I'm not clumsy. Tiningnan niya lang ako. Tumayo siya at naglakad palapit sa akin. He towers me with his height. Matikas pa siya... "Aren't you going to do anythin, huh? As far as I know, you guys should be in school right now..." Huh? "You don't know my schedule!" Even though he's right... Lumapit pa siya sa akin dahilan para mapaatras ako at matapon yung laman ng baso. "Lumapit ka pa kasi!" I quickly shouted. Baka manisi pa 'to. "I don't need people like you. Dagdag ka lang dito. Burden. Go find a work if you're not going to school!" Napatitig ulit ako sa kaniya. Yung mga mata niya... bumalik na sa dati. What's his problem now? "Woah there. We had a deal right? One month." "Yes, one month. In that month, you have to help around right? But look at what you're doing!" Now I feel like my heart stopped beating. What? Isn't he too much? But biglang... "Can't you give me time? I just need--" "Make use of your time then! Rules are rules!" He then screamed after murmuring something. Gosh! Ba't ba ang laki ng problem nito? "Kung ayaw mo naman pala, you should've said so! I can't live with people like you! Half-hearted na help? Looks like you're the one who's selfish!" I lashed out. Kinuha ko ang sling bag ko at padabog na isinara ang pinto pagkalabas. Who does he think he is? I may be living with him temporarily but he can't just-- Argh! I dialed on my phone. "Answer my calls already!" I screamed on top of my lungs after getting out of the building. Naupo ako sa isa sa mga steps ng stairs in front of the main door. Why do I have to experience this, huh? Are you all having fun there? Yeah, you did ran away from me. Screw you all! "You are not worthy, Daliah." "Stop ruining my relationship with your dad! You and your filthy lies..." "Well, your dad is too stupid to not even do a thing." Those words of hers... you are the worst stepmom! And... and the worst person! Gosh! Sana ikaw na lang nandito! Sana okay lang si dad...