A Promise on the Sand (Isla de Negros Series #2)

Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44
Truth

Ayla's throat tightened that she couldn't manage to breath. Her body shook in disbelief. The hairs on her skin rose as she looked at her in surprise. This couldn't be true. She was just dreaming.

Napailing siya para gisingin ang sarili ngunit narinig niya lang itong napahagikhik.

"I understand. Our parents reacted the same when they saw me for the first time after years," she said.

Muling nanginig ang katawan niya nang lumapit itong muli sa kanya. She wanted to step back and distance herself away from her, but it was too late when she felt the touch of her hand on her face.

"You've grown into such a beautiful lady," matamis na sabi nito na tila naiiyak.

Dahil hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin at sasabihin dito ay tinapik niya ang kamay nitong nakahawak sa kanyang pisngi at lumayo nang isang hakbang. Kinikilabutan pa rin siya dito hanggang ngayon. Gusto niyang masampal nang todo para lamang mapaniwala ang kanyang sarili na totoo itong mga nangyayari ngayon.

"H-how is this possible? Y-your dead...," she said the last word like she was out of breath.

Avrielle laughed that echoed in her ears, sending shivers through her that crept the shit out of her. Her laugh sounded sweet, but the fact that she believed her whole life her sister was dead just made everything very strange.

"I thought so, too. But fortunately, I'm alive."

Alive. All this time, she was alive. To how many bouquets she'd already sent her gravestone, and lit up plenty of candles and then she was still alive? How could everything be so...possible?

"But...how?" halos wala nang boses na lumabas mula sa kanya nang sabihin 'yon.

Avrielle shrugged. "Does it matter? Importante buhay ako." She giggled. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

No. And she wasn't even sure on what to feel actually. Masyado pa rin talaga siyang nagulat sa biglang pagsulpot nito. Sino ang hindi magugulat? Buong buhay niya, ang alam niya ay patay na ito. Tapos magigising na lang siya isang araw at makakakita siya ng babaeng bigla-bigla na lang magpapakilala na kapatid niya?

Before she could even respond to her question, their mother came in.

"Ayla!"

Napatingin siya sa ina na sinalubong siya ng matamis na ngiti.

"Gising ka na pala."

Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay at nagpapalit-palit ng tingin sa kanilang dalawa ng kanyang kapatid na tila maiiyak.

"Until now, I still can't believe this is happening."

Avrielle also got teary-eyed. She was the only one who had a puzzled expression. Nananatili siyang tahimik dahil hindi rin naman niya alam ang isasagot.

"Our family is complete...again."

Jorge went to them with a smile. Ayla gave his father a confused look, but he just smiled at her.

"This is all I ever wanted. Masaya ako na makita kayong kumpleto nang magkapatid. Hanggang ngayon hindi rin ako makapaniwala. But, this is the only thing that matters now. Four of us, together," sabi ng ama nila. Niyakap naman ito ni Avrielle habang naiiyak.

Her mind wasn't still able to overcome the shock of this sudden news. Hindi pa rin niya mahinuha kung ano ang angkop na reaksyon para sa kaganapang ito. Ang alam lang niya ay wala siyang ibang nararamdaman kundi kaba...kilabot.

She caught her mother's eyes and gave her a look.

You got a lot of explaining to do, she thought as she eyed on her. Althea raised a brow as her response like she understood what that look was all about.