Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

28 - Brave

Warning. Triggering scenes ahead. Read at your own risk.

I was with Reizo during their Annual Gala at the twenty-eight of December. Masayang masaya ako at kasama ko siya ngayon na halos pinagdadasal kong mangyari ulit.

Last year was hard. I didn't get to celebrate every occasion with him because of what I did. He flew back to New York and returned months after.

I tried to explain but he always shuts me out that's why I stepped back. I tried to be silent about it even though it was hard for me not to explain my part. Inintindi kong masakit sa kanya ang nangyari kaya mahirap sa kanyang magbukas at makinig para sa mga paliwanag ko dahil nasira ang tiwala niya sa akin sa nangyari.

"You're so gorgeous, hija!" Tuwang sabi ni Tita Dane nang makalapit kami ni Reizo sa kanila.

"You're also exquisite, Tita Dane!" Yinakap ko siya at sumunod naman si Reizo na nasa tabi ko.

Bumati ako kay Tito Zane, Rion... at kay Lolo Alessio. Nang makita silang magkasama ni Lolo Cillian kanina ay naglakbay na naman ang isip ko kung bakit nila nagawa 'yon.

It's hard for me to assume and force myself thinking what wrong did I do to deserve their ruthless schemes. Na nagawa nila sa akin 'to. Na nadamay din si Reizo dahil dito at Ridge.

I remembered Kuya Knoa's words last time. It was about how he described Lolo Cillian's love.

That his love teaches us a lesson and discipline us for something that makes us weak. That it teaches us to be independent...

I now realized what Kuya was afraid of when we talked about it. He was scared that Lolo Cillian might come after me. I was the dependent one in the family. Ako ang pangalawa sa pinakabata sa aming angkan at ako ang pinakamahina, ang pinakakailangan ng kasama.

Is that it? Did Lolo intentionally do it for Reizo won't believe me? Did he do it to cripple me and my relationship with Reizo and stand on my own despite their intentions? Para wala akong mapuntahan at mahingan ng tulong at masasandalan? Did Lolo really destroy my image to Reizo just to teach me a lesson? Just to discipline me and learn how to be independent?

"... that kind of love is something that makes us badly want to be free from it. That kind of love is something so stubborn and drastic." Kuya's words lingered in my mind as I fought myself not to cry.

Tama na muna ang iyak, Kaela. Kapag wala nang makakakita at walang maaawa.

They did it. Lolo Alessio, most especially Lolo Cillian, did it intentionally and mercilessly.

"Where's Ridge?" I looked immediately at Reizo when I heard Mom ask Tita Dane.

I saw how Tita Dane frowned. "He told me he can't go. He said that he's busy with something important."

Narinig ko ang mahinang tawa ni Mommy. "Baka naman may girlfriend na rin si Ridge, Daneiris." Nakikinig lang kami sa usapan nila dahil nasa iisang upuan lang kami.

Patuloy ang pagtitig ko kay Reizo na alam kong naririnig ang usapan nila Mommy at Tita Dane. His eyes were focused on the glass of wine placed on the table. Nilalaro at iniikot-ikot niya 'yon.

"I'm not sure. But if he does, I'll be happy with him." She smiled as if she remembered something about Ridge. "He got his own place, and I also noticed that he changed. Hindi na na-iinvolve sa mga controversies which made Papa stopped pressuring him to straighten up."

Despite Ridge and I were in right now, I knew something new about him through Tita Dane. Kapag tinatawag ako para mag-shopping at kumain sa labas ay napag-uusapan din namin si Ridge.