LUST | SDS Present ✔ (TO BE EDITED)

Chapter 38

As soon as I opened the door, laughters and giggles welcomed me. Stephen and Liana are playing with Sofia that automatically halted me. Aalis na sana ako nang makita ako ni Mama. Binitawan muna nya ang tray sa lamesita bago ako linapitan. Tumigil din sina Stephen at Liana nang makita ako.

"Nag-miryenda ka na ba, anak?" Bahagya naman akong hinila ni Mama sa sala at pina-upo sa pang-isahang sofa.

Mabilis kong naramdaman ang tensyon nang umupo ako. Stephen, Liana and Sofia are sitting on the floor and they are not that far from me. I already promised Stephen that I won't meddle in his relationship with Liana but she and I haven't talked since the scene in the hospital.

Liana glanced at me and when our eyes made contact, she immediately looked away. The awkward silence is deafening that makes me want to rip my own ears. I cleared my throat before leaning to the sofa.

"Don't mind me." Kumuha ako ng juice bago liningon si Mama na may maliit na ngiti sa mga labi.

"Sofia, mag-bless ka kay Ninang Sierra." Napa-lingon naman ako sa kanila dahil sa sinabi ni Stephen.

Sofia is now walking on her own and I can't help but to smile. Parang kailan lang namomoblema si Liana sa kanya dahil napaka-iyakin nya, ngayon ay malaki na sya. But I won't forget how we all thought that she's Hugo's daughter and how I considered being her step-mom if ever Hugo and I hook up. I smiled at the memory.

Stephen guided Sofia to me and when she reached my place, she looked up at me with her big round eyes. My heart melted at her innocence and cuteness so I scooped her up and made her sit in my lap. It looks like she can still remember me because she sat comfortably in my lap.

"Hi there, my little match maker." Bulong ko sabay pisil sa mataba nyang pisngi. Sandali naman syang tumawa bago bumaba sa kandungan ko.

Bumalik na sya sa pwesto nila kanina at nag-laro mag-isa. Naabutan ko naming naka-tingin sa akin sina Stephen at Liana kaya na-ilang ako at ako na mismo ang umiwas ng tingin. Mahina akong tumikhim bago tumayo at tinignan si Liana.

"Mag-usap tayo." Nagulat sya sa sinabi ko habang sandali akong sinamaan ng tingin ni Stephen bago sya umiling sa akin.

"No, Ate." Matigas nyang sabi kaya tinaasan ko sya ng kilay.

"Hindi ko sya aawayin o sasaktan. I'm tired of being a bitch to her." Tinuon ko naman ang atensyon ko kay Liana. "Follow me." Tinalikuran ko na sila at lumabas.

Ilang Segundo akong nag-hintay sa terrace at nang akala kong hindi lalabas si Liana ay bigla syang sumulpot sa harapan ko. Sandali nya akong tinignan sa mga mata bago sya bahagyang yumuko.

"I've been meaning to meet you but since you're already here, let's talk." Sumandal ako sa baluster bago humalukipkip. Sinundan naman ako ng tingin ni Liana.

"Pa-prangkahin na kita. I really didn't like you for my brother." Kumunot ang noo ni Liana at akmang sasagot nang nag-salita ulit ako. "Pero wala akong karapatan para pigilan ang relasyon ninyo." Tumayo na ako nang maayos at humakbang palapit sa kanya. Hindi naman nya inalis ang tingin nya sa akin.

"Just don't hurt him and we're all good." Linahad ko ang kamay ko sa kanya kaya tinignan nya ito. "You know I don't do hugs." Tinignan nya ako at naka-ngisi ko syang tinaasan ng kilay. Ngumiti sya at mabilis akong kinamayan.

"Pangako, Ate Sierra." Ngumiwi naman ako dahil sa tinawag nya sa akin.

"Ang weird naman pakinggan. Parang kailan lang, estudyante pa lang kita ngayon, possible sister-in-law na." Tumawa naman sya sa sinabi ko

Liana makes my brother happy and I don't have the righ to mess with his happiness. Besides, I learned that removing toxic feelings can make you happier. I was just too close-minded back for hating Liana that I forgot I hurted her.