Darating kaya ang bukas? [PUBLISHED]

KABANATA 21

Arianna's P.O.V.

Ilang araw akong hindi pinatulog ng sinabi sa akin ni Anton. It didn't affected my work performance though, since I really love the selling job, but it does made me restless at night, big time.

I thought, this is my chance to get even with my sister, but then the greater part of me tells me, no... I don't want to get even with her.  That's not the type of person I am. If I am going to do this, it is for something riskworthy than that. I'd like it to be for... Justice.

If my sister really murdered Anton's bestfriend, then she really have to pay for that. I'll probably pass kung pera lang at ariarian ang kinuha niya, pero kung buhay na, ibang usapan na 'yun.

Nights seems longer these days. Lalo na at hindi ka makatulog.  At lalong hindi ako dalawin ng antok, since it is about time for me to find another place to stay.  Sumuweldo na kasi ako kahapon, and I think it is more than enough to rent a small room to start my life on my own.

Ayoko sanang umalis sa bahay ng mga Gutierrez.  Kahit naman kasi grumpy parati ang isa ro'n, all of them are really, really nice to me. Masaya ako ro'n. Para na rin akong may pamilya. Parating may nakakausap. Parating may nag-aalala.

Tonight is the night that I must tell them.  Para naman makapagpaalaman kami nang maayos. Napakabait nila sa akin, at hindi ko makakalimutan 'yun. Tuluyan man akong malayo, ay habang-buhay ko namang tatanawing utang na loob na binigyan nila ako ng pansamantalang kanlungan.

I have learned to love them like my own family.  Since they have treated me way better than my own and my ex in-laws. No wonder Anton is so protective of them. He's right, people like them,  can be considered as the greatest treasure one could ever own.  A family.  Not just a family, but a happy loving family.

"Ano nga pala 'yung sasabihin mo sa amin, hija?" Tanong sa akin ni Donya Conception, habang kumakain kami ng hapunan.

Kinakabahan ako, kaya't it took time bago ako nakabuwelo.

"Ahm."  Nakatingin na silang lahat sa akin. "Gusto ko lang po sanang..." Medyo nanginginig ako. Naiiyak. "Magpaalam na sa inyo." Dumako ang mga mata ko kay Anton, na nabitawan ang kanyang mga kubyertos. "Nakakita na po ako ng kuwartong maaari kong lipatan. A-ahm..." Tuluyan ng tumulo ang mga luha ko.  Naramdaman ko na hinaplos ni Ate Alessa ang likuran ko. "Gusto ko pong kunin ang opportinity na 'to para mapasalamatan kayo sa lahat-lahat ng..." I sobbed and sniffled. "Tulong na walang pag-aatubiling ibinigay niyo sa isang palaboy na tulad ko." Napahagulhol na ako. Napayuko. Naramdaman kong niyakap ako ni Donya Conception mula sa aking likuran, habang si Ate Alessa at Kylie naman ay nakahilig sa akin sa magkabila kong tabi.

"You don't need to go."  Si Ate Alessa. "You can always stay here. This house is too big for all us. We actually need more company. New members of the family maybe. Kaya nga never kaming bumukod ni Anton. Because even when Harvey and Kylie came around, this house is still too big for all of us." Tumawa ito.

Napasulyap ako kay Anton na matalim na naman ang mga titig sa akin. Umiwas ako kaagad ng tingin.

"Gusto kong malaman niyo na wala na akong gugustuhin pang makasama kundi kayo. You treated me way better than my own family and I am really, really very happy here. I've never been happy as this, ever. And for that, I owe you more. Kaya lang po... it doesn't change the fact that I'm an outsider and I don't really feel comfortable na kayo na ang sumasagot sa lahat ng pangangailangan ko. Binigyan niyo na nga ako ng trabaho, pati ba naman tirahan at pagkain ko?  Hindi po kaya ng kunsensya ko. What you have given me are way more than I deserve. Now, it's time for me to step-up and take care of myself like a big girl."

"Tita Aria, don't you want to be with me anymore?" Umiiyak na sambit ni Kylie.

"Kylie it's not like than I jus--"