Riding my bicycle slower at its regular pace for the first time has put me in a different dimension. I’ve never enjoyed taking things low especially when it’s about heading home since my patience is so short, however, tonight seems different as I’m heading home with Cherry’s dad. He’s walking while I’m riding my bicycle.

“Bitbitin mo ng maayos ang cage,” puna ko ng medyo tabingi ang pagkakabitbit niya. Baka kasi makaidlip si Yorkie at malaglag. Iniiwasan ko lang na masaktan siya lalo na ang mga pakpak niya.

“Opo madam,” sagot niya at pinakita pa sa akin kung paano niya inayos ang pagkakabitbit niya. “Bakit hindi mo nalang ipasakay si Yorkie sa bike mo?” tanong niya na nagpataas ng kilay ko.

“Wala ka namang dala...” pagdadahilan ko. Sayang ang ipapasweldo ko sa kanya kung wala siyang ibang gagawin bukod sa samahan ako sa pag-uwi.

Our journey was silent and boring. Kung hindi ako magsasalita ay wala rin siyang sasabihin kaya mas pinili kong manahamik nalang hanggang sa dadating kami.

Nang madaanan namin ang park ay naalala ko si Ady na nakita ko kanina. Magsasalita na sana ako tungkol sa nakita ko pero naalala kong nagdesisyon na pala akong tumahimik nalang.

And it was as if he read what I was thinking as he whispered Ady’s name. Kasunod nito ay ang pagkakalaglag ng birdcage ni Yorkie na ikinahinto ko.

Cherry’s dad crossed the street in a flash, leaving me astonished as Yorkie escaped from his birdcage.

“Yorkie... come to mommy...” mahinahon kong tinawag si Yorkie habang nag-hohop sa sidewalk. Once he’ll use his wings, I don’t know if I’ll be able to see him again.

“You can’t just fly away from me Yorkie...” I called on him once again. Naglabas na rin ako ng pagkain niya at inilatag iyon sa loob ng birdcage niya na ngayon ay sira na ang maliit na pinto nito.

I felt a sudden chill when he continuously ignored my pleas. My head started to spin uncomfortably as my handshakes in desperation. It was like I was pulled back from my peaceful present to the day I was desperate to claim my freedom.

“Don’t do this to me Yorkie... I cared for you!” my tears started to fall from my eyes unconsciously. People who might see me might say I went overboard for crying over a bird but Yorkie is all I have other than the money in my bank account.

I whistled. I whistled several times to catch his attention before he’ll saw other birds flying in the sky and finally leave me alone.

Nang makuha ko ang atensyon niya ay naglagay ulit ako ng pagkain sa loob ng birdcage niya. I let out a sigh of relief when he entered his cage and started to peck on his food.

With my handkerchief, I tied the opening of the birdcage to lock him up. “Yorkie you must stay with me despite the circumstances, hmm?” I reminded him although he will never understand me.

Pinanood ko si Yorkie na kumakain sa loob ng birdcage niya. Muntikan na siyang makalaya mula sa akin pero hindi niya ginamit ang pakpak niya. Yorkie has wings whilst I do not have yet I managed to escape by spreading my invisible wings.

My hands curled into fists when it dawned on me how Yorkie could possibly leave me earlier. I don’t deserve to feel this way — to feel agitated. The way how Cherry’s dad undoubtedly let go of Yorkie’s birdcage after he uttered Ady’s name will never be forgivable.

My whole body trembled in fury. Nang binitawan niya si Yorkie ay para niya naring binitawan ang mundo ko para mahulog ako sa kawalan. Nagawa niya talaga iyon dahil kay Ady — a woman who’s nothing compared to me.

After I placed Yorkie’s cage safely on the bike’s rack, I followed the track of Cherry’s dad.

***

Five minutes and there’s still no trace of Cherry’s dad nor Ady on the streets. I wonder what happened to Ady because of Cherry’s dad's reckless action.

“There’s no way I’m letting this incident slide!” I said inside my head. He almost caused mental distress to me so it is right to make him accountable for it.

Two silhouettes caught my attention. As I come closer, I saw the two figures of a man and a woman sitting on the edge of the pavement.

Huminto ako sa harap nila, handang-handa ng sumabog. Unang nag-akyat ng tingin sa akin si Cherry’s dad. His face looked frightened and full of sympathy. Kaya napatingin ako sa katabi niya na taas baba ang balikat.

My lips twitched when the reason for Cherry’s dad’s recklessness dawned on me. Ady is simply a weak woman who can’t stand on her own and obviously, she needs a man to get away with all her dramas in life.

“I almost lost the only thing that’s constant to me!” my voice blared on an empty street of Milea Bay. His eyes blinked; an indication of his utter bewilderment.

Adrenaline rushed through my body after my first statement. Para bang lahat ng dugo ko ay nasa ulo ko na at kailangan kong ipalabas ang hinanakit sa dibdib ko para kumalma ako.

Tinuro ko siya ng paulit-ulit gamit ang hintuturo ko. Umaasang maintindihan niya kung bakit ako nag-aalburoto.

“You mocked me and my bird with your recklessness! You’re a total gago Cherry’s dad!”

He remained silent, still confused. Gusto niya atang i-explain ko pa ng detalye ang ginawa niya sa akin.

“To see you here with this weak bitch, made me despise you more. May trabaho ka sa akin! You’re supposed to bring me home safe and sound and carry my bird with great care! Pero anong ginawa mo?”

Huminto ako sandali para habulin ang hininga ko. Sobra na ring nanginginig ang buong katawan ko kaya naikuyom ko ang mga kamao ko.

I finally caught Ady’s gaze. Mugtong-mugto ang mata niya na parang iniyak niya lahat ang problema ng mga tao sa mundo.

The bitterness started to occupy my whole being as I looked at her.

“Nakita mo lang na umiiyak ang bitch na ‘to ay nakalimutan mo na kaagad ang trabaho mo sa akin? I did not pay you to humiliate me to this extent!”

Ady did not say a thing despite her offended state. She pressed her lips wholeheartedly in order to prevent herself from creating a single sound.

Cherry’s dad stood up with his creased forehead. Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa at ng makitang wala akong kahit na anong sugat at galos ay nagsalita siya.

“Sorry kung ano man ang ginawa ko sa’yo kanina.. pero ano bang nang—” he stopped midway as he was confused with his choice of words. “I mean, babalikan naman sana kita...” his last words were like whispers in the air.

I made a bitter smirk. Sa tingin niya ay ma-coconsole niya ako gamit ang mga salitang iyon? And does he think na ganun ako kababaw para tanggapin ang insincere apology niya? He’s clearly washing his hands to get away from his sin.

Sa totoo lang, mukha siyang bata na nakagawa ng kasalanan sa mga magulang niya at hindi alam kung paano lulusot. Kasing liwanag ng araw na nahihirapan siyang pumili sa amin ni Ady. Ramdam ko na mas pipiliin niya si Ady kaysa sa akin na nagpapasweldo sa kanya.

“Magkaiba kasi ang daan niyo ni Ady kaya isasama ko siya sa paghatid sa’yo, kung okay lang sa’yo... Ma’am?”

It was like the last thread of my patience was cut off. He called me Ma’am to mock me! Oh my god!

My lips went dry so I licked them using my tongue. Unexpectedly, my eyes started to sting as the tears started to pool.

Ilang beses akong tumalikod para pigilan ang sarili kong huwag lumuha. I couldn’t allow him to humiliate me further kaya hindi maaaring umiyak ako sa harapan nilang dalawa.

Gusto kong magwala. Gusto kong pagalitan ang sarili ko. Gusto kong sabihin kay Cherry’s dad na kaya ko namang umuwing mag-isa, that I’m a grown woman who’s independent. However, my mouth betrayed me.

“B-bilisan niyo!”

I have never betrayed myself. I am always capable of protecting my pride by neglecting people’s excuses and walking on my own. But tonight, I disappointed myself. Ginawa kong kawawa ang sarili ko kahit na alam kong sinabi niya lang iyon para may excuse siyang dalhin si Ady!

Ady must’ve felt tired and exhausted from her crying. Nagpumilit siya na magpa-iwan nalang at magpapakuha nalang daw siya after minutes of walking. Cherry’s dad wouldn’t entertain her insistence and I couldn’t bear to listen to their talk anymore.

I deserve to be treated fairly and comfortably. Cherry’s dad is just an employee who performs poorly on his job and deserves to be dismissed.

“It will be always you and me Yorkie...” hinaplos ko si Yorkie at hinalikan ang ulo nito bago ito inilipat sa birdcage niya na nakasabit sa loob ng bahay.

Si Yorkie ang kasama ko nang magsimula akong mamuhay mag-isa rito sa Milea Bay. He witnessed all my joys and miseries and we grew fond of each other.

He might be seen as a pet of mine by others but he’s completely more valuable compared to the people around me.

“Let’s make this night a lesson Axis. Don’t you dare falter again!”

***

“Make your own move to that bitch Yo. I’m ceasing off my deal between Cherry’s dad.”

I took a sip from my ade after I confirmed to Yohan that I no longer want to cooperate with him to heighten his chances for Ady.

That night where I betrayed myself, slapped me real hard. Nagmukha akong kawawa ng gabing iyon at ramdam ko na second option lang ako.

“Stop calling her bitch Ax, na-ooffend ako,” Yohan glared at me. Tumawa nalang ako ng mapakla.

I almost forgot that the man I’m with is smitten with the bitch. I should probably reconsider being acquainted with him.

“Kahit na hindi niya ako nakikita, I’m willing to protect her at all costs,” he sincerely confessed.

I almost choke on my ade after his cheesy statement. Napaka-loyalist ng taong ‘to.

We’re at the school’s cafeteria kaya hindi maiiwasang mapagtinginan kami ng ibang mga estudyante. Ang iba sa kanila ay naririnig kong nagbubulungan na nag-dadate kami. Enemies to lovers are the best trope daw!
Well, they’re totally wrong dahil tinapos ko na ang cold war naming dalawa.

“What’s so nice about that bitch Yo?” kumagat ako sa kararating lang na ice cream sandwich. “You’re rich and she’s definitely an indigent. Hihithitan ka lang ‘nun ng ayuda,” saad ko at sinabayan pa ng mahina na tawa.

As expected, Yohan pierced his blazing eyes on me. I could feel his spite towards me. I’m just stating a probable case if he’ll continue to pursue her. There are a lot of eyes who will judge them and I’m one of them. A sad fact indeed.

“My classes will resume soon, so bye... For good.”

A glint of restraint surfaced from his face. “Ang usapan ay usapan Ax! Palagi na kayong magkasama ‘nung Mau na ‘yon ‘di ba? Name your price and I’m willing to give it to you!”

I shook my head in disapproval. Ayaw niyang itigil ko ang deal namin pero hindi ko kayang i-risk ang mental health ko. The bitch has caused too much damage to my mental health and I’m not willing to continue just to satisfy Yohan’s love fantasies.

“Hate me like you usually do Yohan. Seeing you begging for help from me for that bitch is pitiful. Next time you talk to me, talk to me with your pride on because I hate dealing with sad boys.” I firmly said, trying to wake him up from his dream. “I don’t want to associate myself with your love fantasy ever again.”

I left his confused state. It’s time to focus on my own agenda — to keep on reporting Yohan to his mother and do things in my accordance.