SHE'S A PRETENTIOUS BITCH

03

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CHAPTER THREE

I paused. Speechless. Emotional. Confused.

I don't know how to react. For the very first time, Atacia Frowline apologized in front of me.

Parang may kung anong matigas na biglang lumambot sa puso ko. Sa loob ng dalawangput isang taon, nagawa ni Atacia ang mag-sorry. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang maging reaksyon ko dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa mag-sink in sa utak ko ang nangyayari. I still have doubts. What if it's just a prank?

“ I know that I was so mean back then, I didn't accept you as my oldest sister. I was surprised back then, when dad took you home and said that you're my oldest sister. I was just ten, or eleven perhaps, when you became part of our lives. I got mad. I get jealous, and envied you for being a strong, independent woman. I just realized how amazing you are, that I must also rely on you. Pero habang iniisip ko na, kapag kinasal ka na ay aalis kana sa bahay ay parang may kung anong masikip sa puso ko, ” I got teary eyes. I want to hug her, and apologize for my actions also. I can't believe Atacia says those words to me.

“ Ate, what may happen, please rely on us, too. Alam kung naghihirap ka din, lahat ng gusto ni dad ay sinusunod mo. I know how hard it is for you, to be called our illegitimate sister. However, you never complained. So, I was sorry because of my actions, jealousy, and guilt. I actually don't have any intention to hurt you like I always did. But, thanks dahil napakahaba ng pasensya mo sa aming tatlo. ” I faintly smiled, and run to her.

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang aking damdamin. I cried on her shoulder. It feels so warm, and comfortable. I can't fake my emotions, because this is how I truly felt.

“ Thank you, Atacia. Thank you for being honest, and finally accepting me. I assumed. ” I said, and chuckled. The two joined us together, I heard Clifford apologize too.

Actually, si Atacia lang talaga ang napaka salbahe sa kanilang tatlo. I remember how she put soap in my food. She's really something, and dangerous. One time, she pushed me on the stairway, I was badly injured. Tita Melissa didn't do something to punish her daughter, and tolerate her. If her mother can't teach her a lesson then, I will do it.

Habang nasa pagitan ako ng tatlo ay may biglang pumalakpak. Agad kaming nag bitawan, it's Tita Mel. Akala ko ay umalis siya, bakit naka pambahay lang siya. Biglang umalis ang tatlo at lumapit sa mommy nila. Bakit parang may mali? Atacia, Clifford, and Mikey laughed.

And that's how I realized that it was just a prank.

“ Do you really believe,what I've said? ” Atacia said. This devil. I gritted my teeth. I should have trusted my instincts. “ Ang tanga nga naman, bakit ba kami makikipag-bati sa anak ng KABIT. ” Parang nabibingi ako sa narinig ko.Seriously? Who’re they calling kabit? Si mommy ba?

I couldn't hide my frustrations. I laughed bitterly. What do I expect from these fools? Tsk. “ What a scheme, guys. You got me there. However, what I said, and showed isn't fake. It was all true. That's fine, ganun naman talaga ang mga taong kulang sa aruga, at attention. They sucks. ” I said, and left. Huminto ako nang nasa hagdan na ako at lumingon muli sa kanila.

I sighed heavily.

“ And the person who you're calling a KABIT is my mother, if she didn't die, do you guys think you're in this family? My mom is the first person that my dad loves. Eh, kayo? Ikaw, Tita. Do you think dad loves you? ” Lahat sila na tahimik sa sinabi ko. Hindi naka-imik si Tita Mel, dahil alam ko kung paano niya habulin si dad noon.

Dad was forced to marry her, dahil na wala na si mom. If it's not for grandfather, wala siya ngayon sa kinatatayuan niya. Naging illegitimate lang naman ako dahil pumasok sila sa buhay namin mag-ama.