To gain power is what makes people nowadays. That they tend to forget what they truly want and sometimes hurt someone’s feelings or even their own just to accomplish something.

    Some say being blinded from the truth is intoxicating although staying behind those shadows and elegance despite knowing everyone’s deceptions is foolishness and are now far from Ozioma Skylar Lavender’s wide sight.

    Keeping everything in control in her hands has blown a great amount of toll. Not just on her but also to the people depending on her.

    It’s not someone’s fault if they’ll grow up being tired of things they once adored, but there’s also a reason for what makes it valid.

    As to Ozioma who used to view things with beauty...deception, lies and pretends filled her surroundings that there’s no way out of her to find genuineness.

    In the silent four corner spacious room, Ozioma is standing in front of a door, contemplating whether to open or disregard what her mind and heart pushes her to do.

    Attempting for minutes on what to do was stressing her out. She was about to open it when two loud voices were heard nearing her.

    So instead of doing so she turned away and instead opened the huge lavender curtain. Showing the big city of Tangub wherein the city lights, feastful christmas lights, kids joyful voices while caroling to people in sight singing different Filipino Christmas medley, welcome her solemn gaze.

    Pretending that she was busy enjoying the view, two knocks were heard following two footsteps of people approaching.

    Silence and tension filled the room when someone cleared its throat, “Darling Sky, about you and your husband—”

    “We’re good, mom, dad. There’s nothing for you to worry about.” Ozioma said as she looked at her parents’ worried faces.

    Deception…

    Her mom looked at her for a while before replying in a relieved tone while holding her chest not minding her interruption because of the good news. “That’s pleasant to hear, darling. You do know that the election is nearing right? You need to stay on good terms because his father is—”

    Ozioma is nearing to lose herself so she interrupts her mother again and says, “I understand, mom.” She knew it was a disrespectful act but it's suffocating her to think of it over and over again.

    This has happened before too. Her parents call for her, giving their full attention and worries to her, and at the end it is all in order to gain something.

    That somehow, pretending becomes her favorite art.

    “Anak, it is for your own good. Okay? You know well how much we love you and wish you the best,” this time it is her father who said those words that she can't help but nod in response.

    She smiles genuinely and says while looking at her chaotic papers, “I know, mom, dad. I get it all.”

    Such pathetic lies Ozioma…

    Aren’t you planning to get away from those chaining deceptions you do to yourself, and from the people around you?

    Sighing to her own foolishness. Ozioma closes her eyes as a memory about the chaotic papers flashes in her mind.

    Her only way out to this tiring world.

    The annulment papers.