Wicked Hearts

Chapter 43

Chapter 43: VIP

I couldn't sleep. Again. This usually happens to me after reminiscing. After thinking of everything I did just to get where I am now. There were no regrets that I prioritized my family and my dreams.

Mukhang hindi ako agad dadalawin ng antok kaya bumangon ako sa kama. Kumuha ako ng sweater bago lumabas ng kwarto ko. Tahimik na ang buong bahay. Natira na lang ay ang isa nilang kasambahay na nagpupunas ng sahig.

I smiled at her. Lumabas ako ng bahay at dumiretso sa likod. Natigilan ako nang mapansin na mukhang hindi lang ako ang hindi makatulog.

I sniffed as I sat on the swing, just beside Tita Marinelle. Tulala lang siya sa malayo. Hindi siya kumibo kaya hindi na rin ako nagsalita.

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagsinghap nito.

Nahirapan din akong pakisamahan si Tita Marinelle. She does things just for the sake of being good in my father's eyes. That's also I think the only reason why she accepted me here, for my father. Nagkasagutan na rin kami, nakarinig na ako ng mga masasakit na salita sa kanya. Pero hindi niya pa ako napagbuhatan ng kamay.

It's safe to say she really loves my father.

"I felt betrayed..." she whispered with full of resentment. "That's I think the reason why it was so hard for me to accept you. My insecurities ate me whole. My regrets. My undying feelings brought by my past."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. What does she mean?

"Your mom used to work for us. Siya ang nag-alaga kay Chester nung bata pa ito. She was one of the few people I trusted at that time. She was there when I gave birth to Amanda. She helped me with everything."

My lips trembled. Oh, my God. I think I knew where this one was heading to.

"She was... so beautiful. Sa sobrang ganda niya ay nahirapan akong tanggapin siya bilang isa sa mga kasambahay namin. I always thought she deserved better."

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Alam ko naman na dati pa na kabit ni Mr. Megardon si Mama. Na hindi sila legal dahil kasal siya sa ibang lalaki. Pero... hindi ko inaasahan ang parteng ito.

"I am still mad at her. I trusted her, treated her more than just a worker of us." Her voice cracked. I could feel the grief and betrayal in it. "Maybe it's not her fault after all. My husband fell in love with her first."

Napapikit ako nang dumausdos sa pisngi ko ang mga luha. This is the side of the story I didn't get right. Hearing it just now felt so wrong. I should have known earlier.

"Until now..." She sobbed. "Until now, my husband is still in love with her. I know what I did to your family is wrong. Ginipit ko kayo nung mga panahon na wala kayo. But I had no idea how to unleash my anger. Should have I hired people to kill her? No. I would rather make her feel what I felt."

"I-I'm sorry, Tita..."

"Ang mali ko lang ay dinamay kita pati ang Ate Sarah mo. Wala kayong alam sa nangyari. Hindi niyo kasalanan ang pagkakamali ng magulang niyo. Gano'n din naman ako. Ayokong mangyari kina Chester at Amanda kung ano ang ginawa ko sa iba."

Mabilis akong tumayo saka siya niyakap. Naramdaman ko ang sobrang panginginig ng kanyang katawan. Pareho kaming humagulgol.

"I'm sorry for everything, Riza. I'm sorry but I don't think I can ever forgive your mom. I will carry this grief until the day I die."

"Sorry, Tita. Sorry kasi nagawa 'yon ni Mama. I am not asking you to forgive her. But, please forgive yourself. Take care of yourself. Amanda's child is hoping to see you. Me too."