Found You (COMPLETE- Published under Precious Hearts Romances 2015)

CHAPTER TEN

May spare key si Marla sa pad ni Micky dahil binigyan siya nito niyon. Maraming beses na siyang nakapunta sa bahay ni Micky subalit iyon ang unang beses na magpupunta siya roon na hindi ito kasama. Alam niyang wala pa sa pad nito si Micky dahil minsan, kahit araw ng Sabado ay nasa opisina ito at may tinatapos na trabaho.

Gaya ng suhestiyon ni Louise kay Marla, dumiretso siya sa bahay ni Micky updang dalhin dito ang Matcha cheesecake na ginawa nila kanina at upang kausapin ito para magkaliwanagan na sila. I-s-in-witch niya ang ilaw sa sala nang makapasok siya roon. Napailing siya nang makita na medyo nagulo ang mga throw pillow na nasa sofa kaya naman inayos niya iyon. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso siya sa kusina upang ilagay sa ref ang cheesecake.

Walang siyang maisip na ibang gawin kaya nang masulyapan niya ang bookshelf ni Micky sa isang sulok sa kuwarto nito ay lumapit siya roon. Sa dalas ng pagkakasama nila ay alam na niyang mahilig ding magbasa ng libro si Micky gaya niya. Micky had a wide collection of books. Iba't ibang genre ng nobela ang nakita niya roon. Pinasadahan niya ng kanyang mga daliri ang mga librong nakasalansan doon, pumipili ng babasahin. Bigla ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa mga labi niya nang makita ang isang libro na matagal na niyang gustong basahin. "The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas," sambit niya nang kuhanin niya iyon mula sa bookshelf. She had watched the movie version before, but she never got to read the book.

Naglakad siya patungo sa kama at umupo roon. Sinamyo niya ang libro. For some reason, she liked the smell of an old book. She scanned the pages of the book. It was rather thick. Hindi niya iyon matatapos sa isang upuan lang. Habang inililipat niya ang mga pahina ay nagtaka siya nang mapansin ang nakaipit na kulay kremang envelope sa isa sa mga pahina niyon.

May mga bagay na hindi dapat pinakikialaman subalit may parte kay Marla na tila nagsasabi sa kanyang buklatin ang laman ng envelope. It didn't look like a normal office letter. It was far from that. Hindi rin niya alam kung bakit tila may kung anong kaba ang bigla sumakop sa dibdib niya. Ngunit nanaig kay Marla ang pagnanais na alamin kung ano ang laman ng hawak niya. Inilapag niya sa kama ang libro.

Hindi naka-seal ang envelope. Hinugot niya roon ang kulay krema din na papel na maayos ang pagkakatupi.

Binuklat niya ang papel at sinimulang basahin iyon...

April 5, 2007

My Dearest Louise,

September 15, 1996 would probably one of the dates that will be forever etched in my mind. It was the day that God brought you into our home. That was the day those sweet smile of yours first light up our house ever since mom and dad separated. Truthfully, at first I was afraid that you would take away all the attention and then Mom would totally forget about me. But I was totally wrong. As each day passed, I love playing the role of the big brother for you. I feel great when you needed me to save you from little boys who loved to tease you. I love being your big brother. I just wished that I never crossed that line and stayed loving you like the best big brother you could ever have.

Yes, Louise, I didn't know when it happened, but I'm afraid I have crossed that line since I know deep within my heart that I love you more than a brother should. And it scares me every day that you will learn about it and hate me forever. But today, as you talked about your fears, I wanted so much to hold you and tell you then I will do everything to make it right. Not as your brother, but as a man. But I know that you will never like that. One look into your eyes and I know that even if I hope to be that man, I will never be.

You' probably won't want to see me forever once this letter reaches your hands yet I know that and that's what scares me the most – that you'll hate me, but I also know that this is the only way I'll be at peace with these feelings and hopefully let you go even if I feel like I won't love anyone else the way I love you. But please remember one thing, you are my sister and even if all else fails, I'll always be here as your big brother.