Of all the things

Chapter Fifteen

Happy Hailey

Hailey's

"YOU are exceptionally happy today."

I don't know... I really don't know but having to confirm my feeling for Theo made a huge difference, especially on how I see him these days. It's been a week since that moment in the kitchen happened and it still manage to make me tingly all over. Wala naman kaming ginawa ni Theo matapos ng insidenteng iyon. Nagluto lang kami, kumain and then after cleaning up the mess, we sat in his comfortable couch, turned the tv on to watch some Netflix while we cuddle. I love hugs and cuddles, I love to feel Theo's arms around me. He makes me feel safe and sound.

I looked at Kuya Hunter, naupo siya sa chair sa bandang harap ko at sinimulan na niyang kumain. "Why are you smiling like your mouth is gonna rip?"

"I'm just happy." Sabi ko pa.

"Nagkabalikan na kayo ni Percy?" Nakakademonyo tingnan ang kapatid ko. Mahal ko siya pero sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, how I wish na makalimutan na niya ang mga bagay na ginawa ko noon. Alam ko naman na habambuhay akong hahabulin ng naging desisyon ko noon at habambuhay ko talagang pagsisisihan iyon, pero sana naman, h'wag na nilang masyadong ipamukha sa akin. Nasasaktan ako, but I cannot sa anything because that was my decision and I have to face the consequences of my actions.

"Hindi no." I only shook my head. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan sirain ni Kuya Hunter ang mood ko ngayong araw, malamang nag-away na naman sila ni Kuya Hyron. Ayaw niya roon sa kapatid naming iyon, he once told me that Hyron Demitri should have stayed dead. Mahabang kwento ang tungkol kay Kuya Hyron – mga seventeen chapters tapos ang pangit ng ending talaga.

"Look, I know I messed up big time because of that, but I am trying to live with the consequences of my actions, Kuya Hunter. Sana naman h'wag mo nang masyadong ipamukha sa akin. Alam ko namang nagkamali ako, nasaktan si Mama at si Daddy, nasaktan ko kayong lahat pero hanggang kailan mo ba ito ipamumukha sa akin?"

Hindi na kumibo si Kuya Hunter. Nginisihan niya lang ako, he took one toast and then he left me at the gazebo. Kasabay ng pag – alis niya ay ang siyang pagdating naman ni Daddy. Dad noticed my saddened expression kaya nang umupo siya ay tinanong niya ako.

"What happened?"

"No... nothing..." Ako naman ang tumingin kay Dad sa pagkakataong iyon. "You said when we had this deal that this is sort of a punishment, how is it a punishment Dad? You chose Theo and he's one of my dearest and closest friends."

"I didn't mean punishment that will hurt you, Hailey, I don't even know what I meant at that moment, but all I want is for you to see your worth as a woman." Nagbuntong – hininga si Daddy. "Theo and I had a talk even before all of this. Hindi ko pa naiisip na ipakasal ka sa kung kanino at sa pagkakataong iyon ay talagang mabigat ang loob kom nakaramdam ako ng galit sa'yo, nagtatampo ako, I was questioning my worth as a father, where did I go wrong, what did I do to make you decide to be with Perseus although you know that it's wrong?"

This is the first time I am hearing Daddy's thoughts about what happened. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko at habang naririnig ko siya ay ganoon na lang ang nararamdaman kong sakit.

"I was also thinking about your future, how people will look at you after the news about you and your cousin..." He paused. "Ama ako, Hailey, at sa dami ng masamang ginawa ko sa buhay ko noon, alam ko ang pakiramdam ng pinagtitinginan at pinagbubulungan. You are my precious little princess, I don't want you to feel that way, I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want people looking down at you because you are my daughter, you are important for me. Nasaktan lang ako noon, anak, pero hindi ako nakaramdam ng galit, oo nagalit ako pero nagalit ako sa sitwasyon kung nasaan tayo. I never though about any punishments and Theo... Theo..." Daddy paused again, this time he heaved a deep sigh. I could see a certain calmness in his face that somehow managed to make the sadness in my heart fade just like that.