EMBRACING ALL THE UNEXPECTED (COMPLETED) PART II

XXI THE TRUTH BEHIND

Kabanata 21

The truth behind

Tim is now staying in my room. After two days in a hospital, the doctor agrees that he can go home. Ayaw niya magpa-assist so I need to watch him. I need to take care of him. He's my best friend and my Knight in shining armor. He protects me all 9f his heart, he stayed in all my dark hours and I am so thankful that I have a cousin like him.

Naglatag siya sa baba ng kama ko ng higaan. Binigyan ko na rin siya ng unan at kumot kanina. Nakahiga ako sa kama habang nakatingin sa kisame.

"Why did you do that to yourself, Tim?" I asked him straight. "Bakit yun pumasok sa isip mo? Na... tapusin ang lahat. Akala mo ba doon na lang matatapos ang lahat? Tumagilid ako ng higa para makita ko siya. "Tinatakasan mo lang ang lahat, Tim."

"Hindi ko rin alam." He chuckled so ligty. "Nagdilim na lang ang paningin at nagawa ko iyon. Lumalaban naman talaga ako, Andrea." This time nagtama na ang paningin naming dalawa at kita ko ang lungkot at sakit na nag-uumapaw sa mga mata niya. "Minsan kasi kahit alam mo na kaya mo pa, na lumalaban ka pa, iba yun sa kilos na nagagawa mo."

I sighed while smiling.

"I can't reach her now. I can't meet dad's expectations, I can't beat my older brother, and I'm not as optimistic and business-minded as my sister. My mother wants me to already have a family but daddy wants me to settle the company first before anything else."

"May aasawahin ka na ba?" natatawa kong tanong kaya sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. "Hey, I'm just asking, you know... credible source."

"Alam ko na hindi tama ginawa ko. But I am trying my best to heal myself. Don't worry, kakayanin ko na this time kasi alam ko na nandiyan ka for me. You're not judging me the way my family does."

Kahit papano ay nakausap ko na siya sa bigat na nararamdaman niya. Nascam lang naman yung investment niya kaya talagang masyado siyang nag-isip ng kung anu-ano at sobrang napipressure pa siya dahil kay tito.

Pinipilit ko na lang ibukas ang mga mata ko dahil sa mga rants ni Tim. Gusto ko na matulog pero gusto ko pa malaman ang mga saloobin niya.

"By the way, what's with you and Art? Don't lie to me, Andrea." Napahikab ako kaya ang sama ng tingin niya sa akin. "Hey! What was that? Answer me."

"There's nothing wrong with us. I mean, we're fling."

"What the heck! Fling? Are you kidding me? As in fling? Come on! I don't want you on a forced marriage so for pity sake be serious."

Force marriage? I don't think my parents will allow that. Napag-usapan na ng pamilya na wala ng p'wersahan.

"Don't trust anyone. Your dream may end up with a hurtful nightmare. Good night." Humiga siya ng patagilid na nakatalikod sa akin. "Kie and I are not good. That's all, I wanna sleep already," sabi niya habang nakatalikod.

Nagising ako na wala na si Tim. Nauna na siya bumaba at nagluto ng pagkain. Dumating sina mommy kagabi kaso tulog na raw kami ni Tim kaya hindi na kami ginising pa.

"We have a dinner with your tita George along with Kieran and his dad. Prepare yourself and don't be late, hija."

"What's with the dinner, Mom?"

"Get together, hija. Your tito Kris wants to see us," Dad said. "You can also come with us, Tim."

"It's okay, Tito. I want to go coz I'm quite busy today."

"That is good, Hijo. Ilaan mo sa ibang bagay ang sarili mo. Don't stress too much," sabay ni mommy. "Andrea, magpahatid ka na kang sa driver at mamaya si Kieran na ang magsusundo sayo."

"No. Tim will drive me to the shop. And about going to the restaurant, I can handle myself. Don't worry."

I stayed at the shop the whole day. We try to make some designs for the gowns. Nagfofocus kami sa gown ngayon maging sa mga cocktail dress. I am also planning for my next step for my boutique.

Dapat susunduin ako ni Art pero buti naawat ko. I take a cab since malapit lang din naman ang restaurant na ni-book nila Kie. Pagkaratong ko ay ako na lang pala ang kulang. Magkaharap sina mommy at tita George, si daddy at tito Kris, at kami ni Kie sa mesa.

"So whats your plan now, hija?" Napalingon ako kay tito saka ko inilapag ang tinidiro at nagpunas ng bibig gamit ang tissue. "Matagal na kayo ni Kie. Wala pa akong naririnig."

O chuckled a bit as I looked at Kieran while smiling.

"Dad, don't think too much about it. Let us deal with it on our own." I glared at him. "We're not a kid anymore, we can already decide on our own."

They're seeing us like we're a couple. Wala silang naririnig sa amin na pagsang-ayon at pagtanggi. As I've said, hinahayaan lang namin ang ng tsaa, pero hindi namin ginagalaw ang baso. Noon yun ang pananaw ko, ang hayaan lamang sila sa kung anu man ang gusto nila isipin pero iba na ngayon.

"Actually, tito. Me and Kie are just—"

"Wow! Congratulation!" What the heck? "I know that you are really on a relationship. High school pa lang kaya ay alam ko na bagay na bagay kayo."

"Uhm, it's not what—"

"Were happy but we don't want to announce it yet." Tiningnan ko ng masama si Kie. "Let us talk in private, please excuse us." Padarag ako tumayo pero nginitian ko pa sila bago ako sumunod kay Kie palabas.

Gusto ko magalit pero baka may rason siya. Ayoko muna siya husgahan, nakasama ko siya ng matagal so kilala ko siya.

Dumiretso kami sa parking lot. Pumasok siya sa sasakyan kaya sumunod ako at pumasok na rin.

"What's happening, Kie? Why did you lied? We can tell to our parents that we don't have special relationship. How come you're doing this! May problema ba?"

"I'm just confused, Andrea. I mean, just this one. I need your help, just be quiet. Don't tell them what we are. I can explain to them what we are, ito lang talaga kailangan ko. Ang makisama ka, help me."

"Magulo, Kieran! Let me understand what are your plans. I can't just sit here, sit there and say nothing when they're talking about what we are! At least let me know what exactly going on. Bakit kailagan mo ako gamitin?"

"My family can't accept me if they will know, Andrea. I'm confused right now. Alam ko na ikaw ang mahal ko."

This time parang may bigla na lang bumara sa lalamunan ko. I can't take it anymore. Mababaliw na ata ako.

I laughed even it's creeping me out. "How come? Why? What happened?" Nakagat ko na ang mga labi ko. Hindi na kailangan linawin pa kasi malinaw na sa akin ang lahat. "Baka nasanay ka lang, Kie. B-baka itinatak mo lang sa isip mo na mahal mo ako? Kaibigan siguro pwede pa."

"I don't know anymore, Andrea." Halos guluhin ko na ang buhok ko. "I am using you even when we're at in States. I'm sorry. Ang kulit ni Vincent eh..."

Now I know why Vincent didn't approach us before we leave. That guy knows that I and Kieran are in a relationship. Kieran is just scared to let his heart decide his real feelings. He used me so Vincent will stop pursuing him, I thought they're just friends.