8
8
"Celiza! Celiza!"
"Celiza, wake up! Aurora is downstairs so wake up."
"I don't want to, Mom. I'm still tired."
"Don't make me tired either Celiza. Wake up and greet Aurora," she emphatically promised.
"Why do I have to say hello? It's going away too."
"Damn you, you're really young!"
"Don't make any noise and your brother might wake up. I'll hurry and get you down there."
I rolled my eyes. He is the one who is disturbing our room. It's good and deep if this one sleeps.
I took a shower and brushed my teeth drowsily.
Mama and I met eye to eye.
"Oh there's Celiza!" She looked surprised.
I lazily headed in their direction. Aunt Aurora was there, Mom was facing her at the table. I looked down at the new mug Mom had released. It must have made the expensive tea for him.
"Good morning sister."
"Good morning Tita." I forced a smile.
"You're really beautiful even right after you wake up!" she said.
"Thank you Tita. I'll miss you ---"
"How are you and Toci son?"
I wanted to freaking roll my eyes but I can't! Am I saying that Mom will ask me that. Almost every day he asks how Toci is. It was like that was her son more than me.
"We're fine."
"That's all?"
"Yes, Mom. Why?"
It made my eyes widen. "Won't you tell us about your plan?"
Oh yes, I forgot.
She wants me to go to the same college as Toci but that's impossible. Definitely at that dear University student. We can't afford that. The tuition at the private school that I attend now is still owed to Tita Aurora.
They've been friends since college. They knew each other very well until the couple still hadn't broken their connection, especially since their business and ours were partners then.
Sadly, ours went bankrupt.
Toci and I were young. I used to play at their house and we would have dinners and sleep overs sometimes in our house when we were kids. He was my first crush.
Mom wanted Toci and me to be because she said it was good for business. Even Aunt Aurora supported the two of us. He said that I was also his child so there was nothing better for Toci.
Tita Aurora is beautiful and kind but Toci inherited everything from his father.
"Leave it to Agnes, it might embarrass Celiza. Let's leave them both to their decision."
Mom faked a smile here.
"Let's talk about your studies. How was it?"
"Oh! That boy is so good! He will definitely graduate with honors," she paused and sighed.
"I hope Celiza's brain isn't wasted and she can go to college," he sadly promised.
"Isn't the business still recovering?"
"It's unlikely that will happen."
"Son! Aurora didn't say you were coming?"
"Good morning Aunt Agnes." Toci felt then scolded Mom.
"Hey Mom." He kissed her too.
The two of us met eye to eye.
He grinned. "Hey babe," he said and kissed my cheeks, then he scanned me fully, "You look gorgeous."
I gave him the fakest smile I could ever give.
What a plastic. You thought we were okay.
I was just shaken.
"You really matter!" Mom said.
"What if you two are apart? Maybe my Celiza can't handle it."
"What do you mean Tita?"
"Celiza's going to college isn't sure yet."
"It's alright Mom, I can go to state university ---"
"But you and Toci are going to get away! Do you want that? Can you?"
I sighed. She is pushing it.
"She can't Tita. Celiza loves me so much right babe?"
I sighed and nodded. I can not do anything.
"They can still see each other, Agnes. It's not like Toci will study abroad."
My forehead furrowed as Mom wiped the bottom of my eye. "Don't be sad Celiza. I know it's hard but sometimes you really need to get away--"
"But we don't need Tita."
"Really?"
"She could apply for a scholarship or something."
Aunt Aurora kept her gaze on me. "She doesn't need to, I'm here. What's the point of being friends with your Mom if I can't help you. I'll take care of your studies as long as you persevere. You and Toci need to finish for relationship goals. " she chuckled.
I don’t know if I’ll be happy with what Aunt Aurora said. With each favor, when he helps us, our gratitude to their family only deepens.
"Really Aurora?" trace the fun in its voice.
"B-but oh! You don't need ---"
"I'll take care of it, it's like we won't be friends if you refuse. Also, I don't want to go with any other woman, Toci."
Mom's smile reached her ears. This is good news for him but for me the chain around my neck is even tighter.
Sure I can get what I want because of my pretty face but I don't want this. I don't want to be indebted because for the rest of your life you will be repaid unlike a loan of money that is just a lump sum payment.
"Celiza! Won't you thank your Aunt?"
"Uh ... T-thank you Tita Aurora."
"No problem."
"Thank you so much Aurora! I'll look at it with gratitude!"
I sighed. There it goes.
"Celiza get the food in there, that's ready."
I nodded to Mom.
"I'll help her," he volunteered.
I ignored Toci, I was already in the kitchen.
Our house is not as big as it used to be. Our kitchen is the equivalent of two large bedrooms now only half of a bedroom.
There is a living room and two bathrooms upstairs and downstairs, there are two bedrooms. My parents were in one while my brother and I were in the other, sometimes Mom knew it was sleeping because she was young.
There's no pool and other luxurious things that I'm used to before.
"Toci what? Not here, we're at home."
"Oh yeah. I forgot you're a nice kid in your house."
"Should we continue this in my condo?"
"I do not want to."
"What's wrong with you Celiza?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you playing so hard to get?"
"I'm not ---"
"You owe me. You should be pleasing to me Celiza. Do whatever I want."
"We're young but you still don't know me Toci."
"No Celiza, I know you ..."
I gasped when he kissed my neck.
I pushed him away.
"What's the matter with you? Is it because of what I saw in the locker room that you're acting like this? You're used to that Celiza! That was normal for you then so why are you expecting something else?"
Because I’m tired of getting used to this situation. I cannot speak for myself. Shut my mouth on what I like or don't like. Whatever I say will not be followed in this house.
"You don't want to give yourself to me Celiza. I respect that. I have needs and we agreed to this set up."
"You're not helping Toci. Just go back outside."
"Really? This is how you will treat me?"
"Let me remind you that if it's not for my family you wouldn't be studying." I smiled at the palm.
"Then thank you to your family." For putting me in a chained situation.
I rolled my eyes and continued preparing the food.
My eyes met when my cell phone rang.
I quickly grabbed it but he stole it from me.
"Toci me that!"
"The nerd is texting you huh?"
"So?"
"You're having fun with him are you?"
"I'm just following your teachings Toci. Don't play dumb."
His hand went down on my thighs.
"I only want you to follow one thing that I taught you Celiza," he said then planted a small kiss on the side of my lips.
That's the thing he taught me I wouldn't obey.
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