Getting To You (Azucarera Series #2)

Kabanata 24

Kabanata 24

Test

Ilang taon akong pabalik-balik sa Cebu para sa business na inumpisahan ko. May iilang beses na dapat naman talaga akong manatili na lang doon pero pinipilit ko pa ring umuwi kahit sa weekend lang.

The scandal made me very mistrustful when it comes to friends. I am friends again with Margaux but I can't say it stayed the same. I'm... somewhat... distant. Kahit sa mga bagong kaibigan ko sa Silliman. I wanted to study in Cebu or Manila for college but the scandal made my parents very strict. They wanted me to study in Altagracia. At kung hindi ko pinilit, kahit sa Silliman, hindi nila ako papayagan. Mabuti na lang at nakumbinsi ko nang sa bahay ng Lola ako titira habang nag-aaral doon. My parents stayed there with me almost the whole time I studied for college. My curfews were more strict.

Nakabalik si Ate Soling at ang driver namin dahil sa pamimilit kong akuin ang buong kasalanan. They only acted because I ordered them to. I was grateful because for most of the scandal's topics, my parents didn't try to hear me. When I told them it was my fault, that I lured Alonzo on that place, I confessed that I love him, or that I kissed him first, they won't hear me. They are more comfortable blaming someone else. Even when our guidance counselor alerted my parents about my confession at school, they still choose to put the blame on Alonzo.

He ran away so he must be guilty. He is guilty.

I was a minor. I don't know what I'm talking about.

It still haunts me after all those years. I never tried to move on or maybe because I wasn't really supposed to. It was that part of my life that I needed to be here right now.

Hindi na rin siguro iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa akong boyfriend. I tried and dated some classmates way back in college, but I can't seem to like anyone in a different way. Lahat, para sa akin, acquaintances lang. Ni pahirapan ang pagkakaroon ng kaibigan. Ipinagpapasalamat ko na rin dahil hindi naman ako makakapunta sa mga parties at sleepovers dahil laging nakabantay si Mommy at Daddy.

Ang mga naging kaklase ko noong college, naging business connections ko na lang din. Hindi na gaya noon na best friend o kahit close friend, gaya ni Margaux at Ella.

"Aalis ka raw, sabi ni Tita? Kuwento ko lagi ka naman talagang umuuwi ng Negros pero sabi niya, this time, magtatagal ka roon? Totoo?"

"Oo, Larissa. Nakauwi na nga ako, e."

"Oh my! Ang bilis, ah? Hindi naman siguro magbabago ang production? I have three branches in Mandaue, one in Lapu-Lapu, now, Sancha. Ayokong sabihin ng customers na dumami lang ang branch, nauubusan na ng mga products."

I chuckled. "That won't happen. I hired more people bago ako nagdesisyong mag open ng branch dito."

"Bakit ka ba mag-oopen diyan. Hindi man lang sa Dumaguete. Sa probinsiya n'yo pa talaga."

I sighed. "Ate Peppa built a new commercial building here. Walang kukuha sa unang palapag kaya roon na ako. I'll have less cost for this so I'll give it a try. Plus, I already have a very trusted manager. Kaya mas lalong okay."

I smiled as I remember Ate Soling's joy when I told her I'll hire her as my manager. She can't forever be my yaya. Malaki na ako ngayon at ni driver, ayaw ko nang magsama. I know how to drive. One of the first things I tried to learn just to prove to myself that I can be independent.

"Oh! Alright. That's great! Trusted, huh..." she chuckled.

I kno she remembers our college days when I was always distant to everyone. I don't trust anyone. I only need to trust her and our groupmates because we're on the same group. Kung hindi pa dahil doon, hindi na siguro ako magtitiwala kahit kanino.