Pain of the Past (Lacson Series #2)

Kabanata 4

Kabanata 4

"You know her, Aslan?" si Matthan.

Astro nodded its head. "Yeah, I remember her last summer on her parent's wedding anniversary. At nakita ko siyang umiiyak sa labas ng school nila kaya nilapitan ko ito."

"When?" tanong ni Larkin na nakakunot ang noo. "Oh, naalala ko na. You went here last time, right?"

Tumango ulit si Astro. Merong binulong si Matthan kay Larkin at sabay silang tumayo.

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Astro at sinundan sila ng tingin. Nakatingala na ito ngayon sa dalawang lalaki na nakangisi.

Tinapik ni Larkin ang braso ni Matthan. "Let's go, Matt," sambit ni Larkin at naglakad na sila palayo ni Matthan. Hindi nila pinansin si Astro.

Nakayuko si Astro na umiling. "Those bastards," he hissed.

Umupo ako ng maayos at tinitigan si Astro. He has fair skin. His eyes were a bit chinito, had an elevated nose, and reddish pink lips. His hair is short. It was pulled back; his hairstyle suited his whole suit.

"Bakit hindi kayo pinakilala ng Senyora Lana kanina?"

His head rose. "We don't like it," he replied.

"It's okay with her?"

"Of course. Hindi naman kami pinipilit ni Mama La."

"Oh, it's good. You're free to decide in this world," I sighed.

He looked at my eyes. "Why, Nari? Were you not approved to choose things you want?"

I swallowed the bile that was forming inside my throat. I'm not sure if I would say it to him.

"I-It's..." I sighed again.

"It's okay if you're not comfortable saying it."

"No... I want to say it. Gusto kong may pagsabihan... para kahit papaano, mawala na ang bigat sa puso ko."

"Take your time, Nari. I'm all ears," he said.

I can't help but to smile. Why is he like this?

"It's not that I'm not allowed to choose things that I like or want. I know it's for my own good what my Papa Frederico wanted me to choose, but... what if you don't want it? You can't see yourself in that area happy? What if you don't see your future self with that kind of environment?"

"Then choose the things, that you know, will bring smile on your face everyday, Nari. Always choose the things that will make you happy. Don't let others' words affect your decision. It's going to be you, the soldier of your own war, Nari."

I smiled at Astro and he smiled at me. Simula ng araw na iyon ay naging malapit kaming apat. Me, Astro, Larkin and Matthan. We have a group chat. We always update one another. Kahit na busy ang tatlo sa school nila sa Iloilo ay hindi ito naging balakid. It's always Larkin and Matthan who's noisy in our group chat. Si Astro naman ay minsan lang kung mag-chat at halos lahat may sense o pangaral.

They helped me with some of assignments. Matalino ang tatlo. Pero si Astro palagi ang nagsesend sa akin ng sagot. Kahit nga sa mga outputs siya rin e.

They are a big help. Natapos ang second year ko sa highschool na hindi ganoon kahirap.

It's summer again. Merong ulit party. Sa L'Fisher Hotel gaganapin. It's my fifteenth birthday. All are set. From my gown, make-up, venue, theme, lahat-lahat. Two months before my birthday pa kasi pinaghandaan ni Mama Ada ang mga gagawin.

The L'Fisher's room is big kaya maraming tao ang dadalo. Hindi ko nga kilala ang ibang nasa guest list. Maybe it's my Papa Frederico's friend or co-workers.