CHAPTER 22
Moon
Ayla felt fooled, embarrassed and losing. Dahil naghalo-halo na ang kanyang mga nararamdaman ay hindi na niya alam kung ano ang gagawin.
"I didn't know that Avrielle died at the beach," wala sa sariling aniya habang kumakain sila ng almusal ng kanyang lola.
Natigilan si Lucia sa pagkain at napaangat ng tingin sa kanya. Her eyes remained on her food, nudging it using a fork.
Lucia cleared her throat. "Masyado ka pa kasing bata no'n para maintindihan mo, apo. Kaya minabuti nang hindi ipaalam sa 'yo ang nangyari sa kanya."
Tears started to well on her eyes. Bago pa 'yon makita ng matanda ay agad na niyang pinunasan 'yon.
"Who's your favorite grand child?" she asked and lifted her gaze at her grandma.
"Ikaw na lang ang natitira kong apo—"
"Kaya wala ka nang choice?"
Kasabay ng pagkunot ng noo ng matanda ay ang pagtawa niya sa hangin.
"All of you have left with no other choice but me. Now, I get it. All of you are the same."
Agad na siyang tumayo at dinampot ang kanyang bag. Aalis na sana siya nang magsalita muli ang matanda.
"Hindi gano'n 'yon, apo."
"Gano'n 'yon, Lola," aniya at hinarap ito. Nagsimula na namang umipon ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.
"When I was young, I could already tell that I am the least favorite of everyone. Lahat ng atensyon ay nasa kanya. Lahat ng pagmamahal ay nasa kanya. Lahat na lang nasa kanya na!"
A seven-year-old Ayla was solving a puzzle. A smile showed on her face after putting the last piece. Kasabay n'on ay ang pagrinig niya ng mga palakpakan.
Napaangat siya ng tingin at biglang naglaho ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi nang makitang ang lahat ng atensyon ay nasa kay Avrielle. Katatapos lang nitong magtugtog ng piano.
"Isn't she the most talented?" Jorge said proudly then rested his arms around his daughter. Malapad naman ang ngiti ng sampung taong gulang na si Avrielle.
"That's my apo!" Lucia said clapping her hands.
"We'll send her to music school para mas lalo pa siyang mag-improve," Althea said smiling.
Ayla looked at her puzzle. Her teeth gritted in envy and jealousy. She was about to destroy it when someone spoke behind her back.
"Nice puzzle."
Nilingon niya kung sino ito. It was her uncle Lorenzo smiling at her.
"I can't do something like that. You're doing great. Keep it up," sabi pa nito at ginulo ang kanyang buhok.
"It's just a puzzle, Uncle."
"It is not just a puzzle. You took time completing that. Everyone isn't as patient as you," he said chuckling.
She frowned. "Uncle, I'm sad."
He smiled and pinched her cheek. "Do you wanna go to the theme park?"
Her face brightened and nodded in excitement.
He put his index finger on his lips. "Sshh, don't tell anyone."
Pinunasan niya ang kanyang mga luha nang maalala ang eksenang 'yon.
"The only person I remembered who believed in me was Lorenzo. He was the only one..."
BINABASA MO ANG
A Promise on the Sand (Isla de Negros Series #2)
RomanceA promise she promised not to break. *** After graduating from Senior High School, Ayla Reese Flores couldn't measure her excitement to visit Negros Island in Visayas. The thought of meeting her first love, Thomas, makes her think that it is going t...
