She will be loved (PUBLISHED)

2. Di makita

It was late and I couldn't sleep. My queen-sized bed was just too big for me so I stood up and went out of my room. Bumaba ako sa kitchen to get something to drink. Natagpuan ko doon si Nanay Lydia, she was slicing some ham. I smiled at her.

"Hi, nanay!" I greeted her. She looked at me and smiled back. She seemed busy. Tinabihan ko siya at saka pumapak ng ham na hinihiwa niya. "Do you need some help, nanay? Marunong po ako."

"Naku, Adelaide!" Sabi niya sa akin. "Baka masugatan ang kamay mo." Nag-aalalang sabi niya, inilayo niya pa sa akin ang kutsilyo pati na rin iyong chopping board tapos nagpatuloy siya sa paghiwa. I rolled my eyes.

"Nanay, really, I can manage." Sinubukan kong kunin ang kutsilyo sa kanya pero pati siya ay lumayo sa akin.

"Anak, kung nagugutom ka, ipaghihiwa na lang kita ulit, gusto mo bang toasted bread? Gatas o Juice?" She asked. Tumalikod si Nanay Lydia at kumuha ng tinapay sa cup board. Hindi ko naman siya pinansin. Kinuha ko ang kutsilyo at saka hiniwa ang ham na nasa harapn ko. I was cutting to the middle when Nanay Lydia saw me, agad niyang kinuha ang kutsilyo at natatarantang hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"Ano ba yan, Laide! Paano kung masugatan ka! Sabi ko naman sa'yo, ako na lang!"

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa inaasal ni Nanay. Kung tratuhin niya ako ay parang ako pa rin iyong batang babaeng inaalagaan niya noon na bawal humawak ng kung anong matalim. I just sighed.

"Can I just have some milk, please?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Tumango si Nanay Lydia, she poured me some glass of milk and gave it to me. Nilagok ko iyon at saka nagpasalamat sa kanya.

"Kung may kailangan ka, iutos mo na lang." Malumanay na wika niya. Tumango na lang ako. I left the kitchen and went up to the library, nakakabingi ang katahimikan ng mansyon - dati kapag ganitong oras, naririnig ko ang lagaslas ng mga dahon ng puno sa kagubatan. I loved the sound of nature, the sound of the wind and the sound of his voice against my ears as he make his way inside of me.

Biglang napaawang ang mga labi ko nang maisip ko kung anong laman ng utak ko. I shook my head. Kaya hindi ako makatulog ay dahil kung ano-anong iniisip ko. Lumabas ako ng library at nagtungo sa silid ni Lukas at ni Apollo.

Alam kong malaki na ako pero ayoko lang mag-isa sa room ko. I just felt so sad and I needed some company tonight so I knocked on their door. Matagal bago bumakas iyon. I saw Lukas. I smiled at him.

"Hi, Luke..."

Lukas opened the door. He was half naked and he was catching his breath. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito, baby?" He smiled kahit na hinihingal siya.

"Can I sleep with you and Apollo? I just don't want to be alone in my room." I pouted my lips. Lukas' eyes widened.

"W-what?" He sighed. Matagal siyang nag-isip. I tried to get inside his room pero ayaw niyang tumabi sa daanan. He looked at me. "Look, baby, I love you, you know that, but you can't sleep with us, maybe tomorrow but not tonight." He gave me a smile.

"Okay? I'm glad we had that talk." Tinapik niya pa ang balikat ko. "I love you, baby."

My mouth parted. Did he just say NO to me? He closed the door and although I was knocking so loud, he just ignored me.

"Ah!"I hissed. "I hate you, Lukas! Di na kita favorite!"

Nagmartsa ako paalis. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang bumalik sa silid ko. I lay on the bed trying to shake of the memories of yesterday. I was trying to hold back the tears pero hindi ko kaya. Kahit ilang beses kong subukan, pabalik-balik pa rin sa isip ko ang mga alaalang iyon...