After Her Last Straw (Dream Series #1)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Belong
Zanashi

"Aphra dear, it's nice to see you again."

Tita Victoria gave me a peck on my cheek the moment I arrived at our table. Sinenyasan nya akong umupo. The man on his white uniform came to us to get our order. I quickly scanned the menu but I still ended up picking my usual order. Pag-alis niya'y nakangiting tumingin sa akin si Tita Victoria.

"How are you, dear? It's been a while since I visited you. Well, there were so many things going on with our business these days so that explains why."

"Oh.." tumikhim ako, unsure of what to say. "Well.. I hope everything's going well with.. uh.. your business."

"Our business, Aphra."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Mula noong putulin ni Papa ang koneksyon niya sa kanyang pamilya, tinanggap na rin niya na wala na siyang koneksyon pa sa lahat ng pagmamay-ari ng mga Pantorilla. So, we have nothing to do with this business that Tita Victoria's talking about.

Gano'n pa man ay tumango na lang ako. Knowing Tita Victoria, she would not going to accept my disagreement with this matter. She's so persistent in saying that what's theirs is ours as well.

"And I'm doing fine, Tita.." dugtong ko.

"That's nice to hear. What about your father?"

"He's doing fine as well."

Hindi ko na binanggit pa sa kanya ang naging alitan namin ni Papa nitong nakaraan lang. Wala silang alam sa pagiging bayolente ni Papa. Ayaw ko rin namang palakihin pa ito at gawing panibagong issue.

"Great. Then, what about what I said to you last time? Napag-isipan niyo na ba, Aphra?"

"I've already talked to my father about that, Tita, and his answer was still the same. He didn't want it."

Her shoulders fell because of disappointment. "But.. why? You know, that house is much better than your house right now, dear.." she reach for my hands on the table. "Talk to him again, please? Pursue him more. Wala namang mawawala kung tatanggapin niya ito."

"I think he didn't want to take what's yours, Tita."

"But I'm not using that house anymore!" she said frustratedly. "And how many times do I have to tell you that all my properties are yours as well? Kapatid ko si Austin and you're my niece, Aphra. I wanted to help you and I wanted to make sure that you're okay. Hindi na nga niya tinatanggap ang trabahong inaalok ko, pati ba naman ang bahay ay tatanggihan niya?"

"I understand, Tita, but I could not change his mind. You know how stubborn he could be."

Dumating ang order namin kaya binitiwan niya ang kamay kong hawak niya. I felt really guilty even this has nothing to do with my decision. Walang ibang ginawa si Tita kung hindi ang tulungan kami.

Alam kong kaya naman naming mamuhay nang hindi niya kami tinutulungan pero ayaw kong dumating ang oras na magsawa na siyang lumapit sa amin. Napamahal na ako kay Tita kaya ayaw kong nang dahil sa patuloy na pagtanggi ni Papa sa mga tulong niya ay bigla na lang siyang tumigil sa pakikipag-kita sa amin.

"Maybe he wants it back," sambit ni Tita paglapag ng mga pagkain. Nakita niya ang nagtataka kong mukha kaya muli niya itong dinugtungan. "His house, Aphra. You know, before our parents died, bawat isa sa aming magkakapatid ay may pinangalang bahay. I think Austin wants it back."

Nagulat ako sa mga narinig. My father has his own house? Pero.. bakit hindi niya ito nagagamit ngayon? Kung gusto niyang makuha itong muli, sinong may hawak nito ngayon?

"Well.. That's a deep issue, Aphra. I don't think it would be nice to hear it from me."

Gustuhin ko mang magtanong ay wala na akong magawa nang bigla na lang ibahin ni Tita ang topic. Nagkwento siya tungkol sa mga nangyayari sa business nila ngayon at tinanong niya rin ako tungkol sa kung anong mga ganap sa school ngayon. Inaya niya pa akong mag-shopping pero tumanggi na ako. Sinabi kong mag-aaral ako para sa online quiz at online report ko mamayang gabi.