Whisper of Her Lies (Nayon Series 2)

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13
Real Deal

"What's wrong with you, Sanja?! It was your chance to get him and yet... you refused?! The incident became the talk of the party!"

"Jana, enough. Pagod si Sanja. Pagpahingahin mo muna," subok ni Papa na pakalmahin si Mama, pero hindi siya nakinig at nagpatuloy.

"Anong pumasok sa kokote mo at bigla mong iniba ang plano?! It was clear to you that our plan was to get Ryleigh's attention! To wrap him around your finger for a win! Ano 'to? Anong pag-iinarte 'yon?!"

Pagod ako para sumagot pa. The happenings overwhelm me for a moment to even counter my mother's complain.

"Sanja Acquenesse!" she snapped when I remained staring off a space.

Nagpalitan ng tingin sina Tita at Papa. Kita ko 'yon. Tumayo si Papa at lumapit kay Mama sabay marahang pinigilan sa akmang panenermon ulit sa isang magaang hawak sa kanyang balikat.

It irked my mother. Pero dahil si Papa ang pumigil sa kanya, at halatang nag-iingat sa galit ng asawa, kumalma si Mama ng bahagya.

"I don't know her anymore," si Mama sabay makahulugang sumulyap kay Tita.

I was amazed by how Tita remained stoic despite of my mother's simple attacks on her. Uminom siya sa kanyang wine bago tipid na ngumiti sa akin nang magtama ang paningin namin.

For some reason, her small smile comforted me. Somewhere in her gesture told me that she wants to remind me of my respect for my mother. But because she can't say a thing with her sister's presence, her smile told me that instead.

"Sanja always has her reasons. If there's something you need to do, it is to believe in her. Kailan ka ba sinuway ng anak mo?" si Papa.

Papa's words got me for a while. Paulit ulit na naglaro sa isip ko ang sinabi niya ay pakiramdam ko'y maiiyak ako kapag inisip ko pa ng ilang ulit ngayon.

For the past heated conversations with my mother, this is the first time that father's words embraced my soul. I have been seeking a kind of solace somewhere else, and now that he mentioned to believe in me, I am somehow relieved.

"Bear with your mother. She is frustrated."

Iyon lang ata ang sinabi ni Tita sa akin no'ng gabing iyon. She didn't say much to me for the whole day, and during the party, she was busy observing the people to even notice my presence. At ako rin naman. Masyado akong nalulong sa pag-uusap namin ni Ryleigh na hindi ko na gaanong napagtuonan ng pansin ang pamilya.

The party ended fine. Iyon ang pinaniwalaan ko habang pauwi kami ng bahay dahil wala namang sinasabi si Mama sa buong byahe. Saka lang siya sumabog pagkarating namin ng bahay at kami nalang mag-anak ang naroon.

I saw that coming. Her anger is well expected kaya hindi na ako nagulat sa lahat ng sermong narinig ko. Paulit ulit lang.

Tanga raw ako para hayaang lumipas ang pagkakataon ko. Napaka-arte para magpakipot pa kay Ryleigh na ako na mismo ang kusang nilalapitan. Pabaya ako... sa responsibilidad ko.

Was it even my responsibility to draw men to me? Or... am I responsible for my family's success? By using men for an asset...

Si Mama ang rason ko kung bakit ko tinanggihan ang lalaking espesyal at importante para sa akin. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit mas pinili kong hayaan siyang makahanap ng iba kesa ang mapasakin siya dahil may kailangan ako sa kanya.

Torn between heart and mind. My heart wants him all to me. I want him so bad that saying no to him is a suicide to my love. But my mind says it's just and fair. Fair for him cuz he's able to find love that is familial. An unadulterated love... that I believe he deserves.