Takipsilim

Chapter 32: Her Plea

Katherina and Yael were so happy that day. The fight they just had seemed like ages ago, at walang ibang nararamdaman ang dalawa kundi ang labis na saya at pagmamahal para sa isa't isa.

"Thank you, Katherina.." Yael held his girlfriend's hand while they were driving back to Malaya University. "Thank you for being you."

Katherina blushed then smiled.

"Love, may hindi pa ako nasasabi sa'yo." Ika ng dalaga. "I've been very confused and down lately because of this."

Yael looked at her with concern. "Ano yun? Tell me."

"It's about mommy. She's been acting extra strangely these days." Panimula ni Katherina.

"Extra?" The chosen Ahren asked.

"Ever since I was young, she's been giving me weird orders – huwag akong makikipagkaibigan sa mga kasambahay namin, huwag akong lalabas ng bahay na hindi siya kasama, huwag akong sasama sa kanya sa mga family gatherings namin unless sabihin niyang pwede. Yung mga bibihirang pagkakataon na nakasama ako sa mga gatherings namin, sobrang bantay sarado din siya sa akin. Pili lang ang mga kamaganak na pwede kong kausapin at lapitan. Sina lolo, lola, yung tita ko, yung pinsan ko, at yung bestfriend ng pinsan ko. Mabuti pa nga yung bestfriend ng pinsan ko, always invited pag may events sa pamilya namin, ako hindi." Malungkot na wika ng dalaga.

"Ang masaklap pa nito, bihira ko na nga lang makausap sina lolo at lola, ang ilap pa nila sa akin. They always favored my cousin over me..but I never took it against them or against my cousin – I think siya talaga ang dapat na favorite, kasi sa aming dalawa, siya yung mas matalino, mas malakas, at maraming kaibigan."

Bumuntong-hininga na lamang ang dalaga.

"I tried so hard to question Mom about those things pero tuwing kkwenstyunin ko siya, it's either papagalitan niya ako o iibahin niya ang usapan," Pagpapatuloy ni Katherina. "I am frustrated beyond words..."

Yael squeezed his girlfriend's hands. "Love, I know that all your life, you've been in pain and loneliness. And it hurts me that during your darkest days, wala ako. If only I had met you sooner.." He extended his hand and touched Katherina's face. "But trust me, Kath. Your mother loves you so much. Nakikita ko yun. I also want to know why she is like that to you pero ang nasisiguro ko, may maganda siyang dahilan. Wala namang nanay na gustong mapasama ang anak niya.."

Katherina weakly smiled at Yael. "I love her too, Yael. Sobra. Ang hiling ko lang ay sana papasukin niya ako sa mundo niya." May namumuo nang luha sa mga mata ng dalaga.

"I believe that one day, you will." Yael answered. "Manalig ka lang, mahal ko. More patience, okay?"

Sa wakas ay ngumiti na rin ng totoo ang dalaga. "Letting this out made me feel better. You really have the power na pagaanin ang loob ko."

Nakarating na ang dalawa sa parking lot ng Malaya University.

Ngumiti ang binata. "Handang makinig sa'yo ang guwapo mong boyfriend sa lahat ng oras, okay?"

Tumawa ang dalaga. "Wow na lang ang masasabi ko."

"About your cousin, Love, are you close to her?" Tanong ni Yael.

"It's a he, Love. No, we're not close, but we used to talk naman everytime we meet. Ngayong college nga lang, weird kasi he suddenly asked me to stay away from him kahit wala akong ginagawang masama sa kanya.."

"Ano? Ang labo niya ah.."

"Kilala mo siya. He's--"

Kring kring!