Tears Of A Wife novel Chapter 28

"I'm sorry that I called you this late. Did I disturb you?" she asked.

"No, Mama," I answered.

"I didn't call Atlas. Just tell him that. I arrived complete without any scratches. I don't want him getting paranoid thinking of my welfare. Okay?" she uttered.

"Okay," I replied. I bit my lower lip. I hate to lie but I have to. Everything that happened was so complicated that I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore, especially now that I moved out of the house.

"Well! I just called to inform you. I'll end this call because it's already late. I'm tired. Take care, the both of you," she bid her goodbye.

"Okay, Ma. Please greet Papa for me, too," I managed to say before the line ended. I was holding the phone tightly even after the call was done.

In this kind of moment, I wished to have a mother just like the others. I know, I'm old enough to handle things but most of the time, I need loving words from a mother. I am weak when it comes to love. I'm foolish enough to make a decision that relates to love. I'm good at giving advice to other people, but when it comes to myself, it's blank. Everything is blank for me.

My phone rang and I abruptly answered it. I didn't check the caller's name, it's probably Leklek who forgot to say something. I put the phone near my ear and waited. My forehead creased when no one spoke after seconds of waiting. I looked at the phone and my heart started beating wildly when I saw Atlas' name on the screen.

"A-Atlas," I whispered.

My throat went dry and I could hardly speak. My heart thundered inside. I don't know why Atlas was doing this to me. I don't why he had to make me suffer like this. Maybe, he loathed me to the core.

I sighed and shook my head. I ended the call. I even touched my heart and closed my eyes. My head was hurting badly. My anxiety was attacking and my heart was broken. I'm probably one of the most wrecked humans on this day of Christmas.

Regardless of everything, I still forced myself to stand up and headed towards the soft bed. I'm done fixing myself, so I let myself drift off to sleep. I let myself fall into silence. To escape from the endless pain.

I will just let myself fall into slumber and forget everything. Just for now.

******

"Dad? Happy New Year!" I said. Trying to sound enthusiastic. I want to make Dad feel that I'm happy.

I'm still not ready to tell Daddy everything. I don't when I'll be. I'm scared of the possible outcome. I'm a coward for all the possibilities.

"Happy New Year din, hija," he replied. "You didn't even come to your grandmother's party earlier. Mom's sulking."

"I'm sorry. I'm just busy," I said. "I'll just call her later."

I sighed at Dad's words. I hate to disappoint my grandmother, especially to decline her offer but I have to. I don't want to have a sudden outburst or breakdown in front of them. I want to face them when I can already carry everything with grace.

"You should, Hija. I'm also quite upset with you and Atlas. I invited both of you and you both said no," he uttered. I heard his light sigh. "Olive, New Year is the only time that we can spend together as a family. I'm disappointed, too. But, maybe you and Atlas have reasons why you declined my offer," he said, voice mellow but with a hint of conviction.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. I suddenly felt guilty. I fed him lies when I declined his invitation. I said that I was going to a reunion of my college batch mates.