Facing Crossroads

IV - Breaking the Bubble

                                                                     Theo

“She’s pretty,” I heard her say. “Shane.” She hardened her grip on my arm, as if there was more to her words.

I said nothing. My eyes were working just fine, my sight clear. Shane Javier was beautiful. She wouldn’t be the university’s chosen muse back in her first year if she wasn’t. Add that she had a clear, rich, kind of husky tone of voice. But I wouldn’t confirm that to my girlfriend.

Sandy started to distance herself from me, her steps slowing.

We were walking around the soccer field, as she told me she had important to say. She let go when I tried to hold her hand. That was when I looked at her, finding some clue on why she suddenly felt it was best for us to part ways.

“Did I do something wrong, Sandy?” I asked, swallowing the ache. I’m tired being a mind reader. She was the first girl who approached me in Laroyo University during freshman years. She was kind and nice and refreshing. She promised she would stay. But on our second year, she transferred school. But that didn’t stop us from continually seeing each other.

“It’s not working.”

Letting out a sigh, I halted her steps and tilted her chin to face me. “I just got busy in school and we have an upcoming play. Once it’s done, I promise to make it up you. I promise.” She returned my gaze but her eyes were vacant. The spark I used to see in her eyes was gone now. “Please, Sandy.”

“My parents want me to break up with you.”

That made me dizzy. It was obvious we live in a different end of the spectrum and maybe it was just another dream come true for me to reach her.

“Parents know what’s best for their kids, right?” I mumbled, feeling the weight of that phrase. I knew from the moment I met her parents that they didn’t want me for Sandy. They were filthy rich and I wasn’t.

It was a poor boy and a rich girl story. Rich parents would never let their daughter to end up with a peasant, right? The only plot twist was that my wealth status was beyond the money her parents were earning in a year. That my father regularly gave me money more than her parent’s salary combined. But only I knew that since I pledged not to take any of that money.

“I am sorry, Theo,” she whispered, heartbreak in her eyes. I knew her facial expressions well. “It’s just… maybe we’re not for each other, you know? We’re now in different schools, we barely meet- “

I shook my head and looked away from her teary eyes. “Not for each other… That’s one hell of a cliché.”

“You have to let me go. We have to let each other go. We’re young and… you know… There’s a lot of girls waiting for you. I mean, it’s not a secret you’ve got a lot of admirers in that school. Should we add Shane on the list?”

A forced laugh escaped my mouth. I couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Don’t do this, please. This isn’t you, Sandy. Don’t drag innocent people as one of the petty reasons why you want to suddenly break up. And, what? So just like that, you’re willing to give me away?”

Sandy pushed me, eyes angry. “What do you want me to do then?”

Glad it was nearing dark and students barely paid us attention, busy playing frisbee at the other side of the field. I heard them cried in laughter, and my stomach tensed, getting jealous of their happiness.

I leaned closer to Sandy, feeling the heavy lump in my throat. How many times have I seen this scene whenever I write stories or scripts? Damn.

“Aren’t we going to fight for this? Won’t you fight for me?” I said in a low tone. My voice sounded broken even in my own ears. But that was me right now. Broken.

“Theo…” she called out. Just then, I knew she already made up her mind.

Seeing her desperate eyes to get away with the situation melted my frustration and anger and I forced myself to concede. Nobody was strong enough to go against their family. Yes, we were young, and maybe in the eyes of the adults, uncapable of making our own decisions. When parents took control, kids usually had to just follow, no questions ask. They would throw the same parents know best phrase to shut you up.

“It’s okay Sandy…” I finally said, trying hard to steady my balance.

I couldn’t count how many times I bid farewell to people I loved. As tired as I was finding myself in this kind of situation but with different people, I still felt overwhelmed and exhausted. I should get an A in handling goodbyes by now.

Yet, somehow, deep inside, I knew this would end.

****

My mom tousled my hair again. It became her habit now.

“Are you okay?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest, leaning against the door frame.

I rested my back on the chair, stretching. “Just doing some problem sets.” Spinning the pen on my finger, I returned her gaze. “Is it time for dinner?”

She reached for my face, her hands softly smoothing my cheek. “I think you need a shave. And some me-time, you know. You need to take care of yourself, Theo.”

“Well, I am, mom,” I replied, narrowing my eyes at her, thinking where the conversation was going. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

She pinched my cheek and tousled my hair once more. “You’re my boy, of course I’ll worry about you, silly.”

I dropped the pen on my desk and closed my notebook. Standing up, I forced a smile, motioning her out of my room and into the kitchen. “Do you need to say something, mom? I mean… You’re giving me these vibes that you want me to like, ask you something.”

Her eyes grew wide. Obviously surprised. She then laughed- more of a nervous laughter. She trailed as we went down the stair. “Theo, your father wants to see you.”

She said those words so carefully and slow, as if afraid of what might my reaction be. I guess I over-reacted the last time she mentioned my father.

“Mom, we don’t need him.”

Her warm kind eyes melted me inside. I had to look away. “But he needs us. We are his family. And families stick together.”

I looked at her tired eyes, wondering how far she would go just to sew this broken family. The last thing I wanted was for her to get hurt again because of my father’s dealings. She had endured enough pain and she didn’t need to undergo another one.

“He can’t have two families,” I stated slowly as we headed toward the dining room. “It’s us or them. He can’t have both, mom.”

“Don’t you think it’s time now to accept who he really is?” she asked, setting placemats on the table.

I sighed, knowing we would just go in circles. No, I don’t think so. I would never welcome my father in my life as long as he prioritized the Rusco family over us.