Lie To Me

Chapter 4: 04

After almost an hour of driving, I was already home. My younger brother immediately went to me and

took the two boxes of pizza he asked me to buy and then, after that, he went inside with our pet dog

Athena.

I just shook my head at its gesture.

"Come inside, sweetie. The food is already served," mama invited excitedly.

I smiled and nodded, following her inside.

I was welcomed with the familiar vibe inside, but it alienated me somehow. I can't distinguish what was

exactly I am feeling, but having the feeling of familiarity in my system sends chill on my back.

"You're beautiful here, baby." He said as he stares at my college’s graduation picture.

It was hanging on top of our TV, next to my brother’s graduation picture and my parents’ wedding

picture as well.

"Uh, you have this long hair before, how long was it?" he asked curiously, looking back and front to my

picture and me.

"Up to here," I answered, pointing my waist.

"That’s too long. Why did you had it cut, though?"

"Because I am moving on; I'm moving on from those hurting me," I answered.

"Hurting you?" He asked innocently. “Am I one of those?” he added.

I chuckled.

"Silly,” I answered, pinching his right cheek.

I can't help but smirked on remembering that.

Another bullshit to remember.

I sighed as I touched the tip of my hair, its length was on my waist again.

If I had to cut my hair every time that person hurt me, there would probably no hair left on my head.

The list of all the pains he has caused to me were even longer than the strands of my hair right now.

"Why did you go home, Ate? It's not a holiday today,” my brother asked. “Let me guess, you lost your

job again?" he added while chewing on the pizza slice.

"Jericho! Talk to your sister nicely," Mama intervene immediately. I just smiled.

"I'm on leave," I answered. "You, why are you sleeping here at home? Don’t you have a class today?" I

also asked then.

I saw him exchanging gazes with my mom. I squinted my eyes.

"I am hoping that you are studying really hard now, Jericho. Your tuition fee isn't a joke, just so you

know," I added.

I am in-charge of his studies while our older brother, an Engineer and our overseas working father

shared the payment for the land and house that we still pay every month.

"It’s our school festival, we can skip attending,” He defended.

I nodded. "Oh. That's why there were so many students scattered in the Mall earlier."

He is studying at the State University, he wished to study in Manila since I am also there but we all

disagreed. His tuition here in the province is already a pain in the pocket, what if he still studies in

Manila. It would be nice if he passed as a scholar, but his academic standing is still far from the truth. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"By the way, sweetie. How are your work there? Are you not having a hard time with your work?" Mama

butted in.

"It's fine, you have nothing to worry. I'm used to my job so my daily work is no longer a difficulty for me,"

I answered.

I have been in the job for a year now and the tons of work load doesn't stress me anymore.

"How about your co-workers? Were they nice to you?"

"Yes, Ma. They treated me well even before I got promoted as their manager."

"That's good. I'm worried that you might just put up with it again; that you’re keeping things again from

me. I don’t want to see having a hard time just because you think you have responsibility to our family,"

She dramatically said.

"Ma, my station from before is way different now. I am treated well now and you don’t have to worry

because I will not allow anyone to step on me,” I answered.

The Jianna before is already dead, she's no longer me now. The old Jianna Astrid that people

encounter now is the braver and fiercer version of me. The Jianna who won't let anyone step on her.

"It's good then. I can't help but wonder how you always are."

"You don't have to worry about me, Ma. I’m a different person now. I'm going to fight them this time," I

said.

I will fight and I will not step on anyone.