Slowing Down from the Carousel's Ride

Kabanata 16

"A walk of a girl who lost everything"

"That's ridiculous! I am the family here. I carry the bloodline of a Silvestre, so, I'd never believe what you just read, Atty.! God forbid but if you force me to accept that, I might sue you. I don't care if you're a lawyer! Well, I'm a professional businesswoman also! And I'm the only legal guardian here to take care of Anyariese!"

Aunt Martha's voice thundered in the whole room. It was after Atty. Vicente, one of Papa's closest friend, read his last will and testament. The highlight is so simple. All properties including our ancestral house and the money Papa left for me is under the name of Dawson while I'm still a minor. Kapag nasa tamang edad na, automatic na mailililipat sa pangalan ko ang lahat ng iyon.

It was surprising on my part to hear that but actually I didn't had any doubt about it because I know how Papa cherished Dawson. He treated him as his own son and in all fairness, that boy did the same. He was kind and nice and very useful. Kung hindi lang nangyari ang lahat, aakalain kong isa siyang anghel na nahulog mula sa kalangitan dahil sa taglay nitong kabaitan.

I liked him. So much. Na kahit ganito ang nangyari, hindi ko kayang ipasa sa kanya ang lahat ng kasalanan. He's just an innocent child like me.

No wonder Aunt Martha would react this way. I'd understand if I was her. She's a relative pero ang pagkakaalam ko, malayong kamag-anak siya ni Papa kahit pa sinabi niyang may dugo siya ng mga Silvestre.

"I apologize Ma'am, but the will has been done. Iyon ang masusunod anumang mangyari dahil kung hindi, we could also sue you," the lawyer calmly stated, in a very professional way.

"Ugh! So, ano? Ang batang iyon ang mamumuno sa bahay na 'to? Do we need his permission to stay here?"

Aunt Martha is delusional. This isn't even her house. This is our ancestral house directly from the Silvestres. Wala siyang nikatiting na karapatan sa bahay na ito.

"Anya is still here, Ma'am. It's her house, so..." probed Atty., not wanting to hurt my Aunt's feelings.

"Alright fine!" liningon ako ni Aunt Martha. "Anya, we will stay here, okay?"

Napakurap-kurap ako. I couldn't speak as of the moment, or even utter a word. So, I wanted to nod but before I could even do that, she snapped.

"Good! So, we're good! Kapag lumaki ka na Anya, get our money back! She will get it back, Atty. whatsoever!" at tumalikod na si Aunt Martha para tuluyang lumabas ng silid. Kaagad rin namang sumunod ang dalawa niyang mga anak.

Like what?? Get our money back? She's crazy! Wala siyang pera dito! It's all ours! Lines are forming on my forehead and I could feel it! If I could just speak, I'd defy immediately!

"Nakikiramay ako, Anya," hindi rin nagtagal ay nagpaalam si Atty. Vicente sa amin ni yaya.

It was a month ago when the incident happened, when Papa died and left me, and when Dawson abandoned me and never came back.

Isang buwan na rin pala ang lumipas. Ang buong akala ni yaya, makakapag-salita rin ako kalaunan. Pero hanggang ngayon, hindi nangyari iyon. Ang sabi ng psychiatrist, marahil dulot raw ito ng dinaranas kong post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is developed when someone experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event, and under this condition, it is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. In my case, I developed it right after witnessing the death of Papa. So, generally, it was because of losing a loved one.