Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 52

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Chapter 52

Kung noon ay taas noo akong humaharap habang nakikipag-usap sa angkan ng Monasterio, lalo na sa mga magpipinsan, ngayon ay aminado akong hindi na makatitig sa mga mata nila.

Nahihiya ako. Nangliliit. Lahat sila ay alam ang ginawa ko. Maging ang pinagdaanan sa nakalipas na taon ay nasisiguro kong hindi lingid sa kaalaman nila.

"Terrence was really devastated when you left him," kwento ni Daphne habang nasa couch kami. Beside her was Daniella and Anais. "Hindi na siya sumasama sa mga magpipinsan kapag may okasyon. Bahay at trabaho na lang talaga."

"That's when we all know that he's really into you. That he loves you so much. Hindi kailanman nagseryoso si Terrence sa babae kahit noon. Pero pagdating sa'yo, para bang sa'yo na rin nakadepende ang buhay niya." said Daniella.

Tumungo ako. Kung puwede ko lang sana sila patigilin sa pagkukwento sa akin tungkol sa mga naranasan ni Terrence noon, ginawa ko. Nasasaktan ako. Ramdam ko kung gaano siya nahirapan noon. It only made me feel the guilt more. It's already carving a wound in my chest that no amount of time can heal.

"I'm sorry. I know that sudden decision of mine left him traumatized. It was a mistake. Masiyado akong kinain ng takot noon. I had so many what ifs. I had so many fears and anxiety really ate me to the core..." I reasoned out and looked at all of them. "We both suffered from the past years but I know what's important is we learned from it."

Huminga ako nang malalim. Seryoso silang nakatingin sa akin. Maaaring hindi katanggap tanggap ang dahilan ko kung bakit ko iyon nagawa kay Terrence pero hindi na mahalaga 'yon. The fact that they were talking to me in a nice way is already enough.

I saw Skyler staring at me. He was sitting on the couch, his arm was resting on the head rest. Ang isang kamay naman ay nakapatong sa ibabaw ng hita niya. Her legs were crossed, left foot slowly swaying.

Alam kong noon pa man ay masiyado na siyang seryoso at hindi marunong ngumiti. Nga lang, mas doble ang dilim ng mga mata niya sa sandaling ito. Tila ba may laman.

"Well, I still wish for the best for you and Kuya Terrence. There will be complications along the way but... I'm sure you'll be able to manage it." It's Anais.

Napatingin si Daphne at Daniella sa kaniya. She looked at them too and laughed annoyingly.

"What?" natatawang aniya.

Hindi ko na nagawa pang bigyan pansin ang mga reaksyon sa mukha nila nang matanaw ko si Terence na patungo sa main door habang may kausap sa cell phone.

Nakapameywang siya, nakakunot ang noo at halatang seryoso ang pinag-uusapan ng kung sino man sa kabilang linya.

He suddenly glanced at my direction. Kaysa magbawi pa ng tingin ay tipid na lang akong ngumiti sa kaniya.

He smiled a little but it didn't reach his eyes. This past few weeks... or since we saw each other again, I noticed that I never see him wear his smile again that I have always adored ever since I met him.

Parati siyang palaging may malalim na iniisip nitong mga nakaraan ngunit hindi masabi sa akin. I was thinking that maybe... he's worrying about my condition.

"Basta, Ate Priscilla, kapag may mga bagay kang pagdadaanan, nandito lang kami. We are already your family. We already treated you as one ever since Terrence introduced you to us." Daniella pulled my attention back to her.

Tipid akong ngumiti saka tumango. "Thank you and I'm really sorry."

Dumaan sa harapan namin si Clarisse, malamig ang ekspresyon ng mga mata habang nakatingin sa harapan niya. She was walking towards the main door. Ipinihit ko ang ulo ko at sinundan siya ng tingin. She went out of the door and must probably be going to the garden.