Rebirth: Serena's Revenge

Chapter 9

"What is wrong with you, Rina? This is so unlike you..." naguguluhang sambit ni Wendy.

Tila hindi ito makapaniwala sa naging reaksiyon ni Serena. This is not the reaction she expected and wanted from her.

Pinilit namang pigilin ni Serena ang kanyang tawa at pinakalma ang sarili. She wiped the tears at the corner of her eye and then drink the cup of water in front of her.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so happy that my dad is so understanding, Wendy." she explained giving emphasis to the word 'understanding', secretly mocking them.

'Let's see until when you can all keep this pretense.'

Ilang beses pa sinubukan ni Wendy na kumbinsihin siya ngunit hindi na niya ito pinansin.

Seeing that Serena will not change her mind any time soon, Wendy decided to go for her next agenda.

"Anyway, hindi ka ba nababagot dito sa bahay, Rina? School will start next week, why don't we go out and have fun?" biglang pag-iiba nalang nito ng usapan.

Napataas naman ang kilay ni Serena sa narinig, what is she planning this time? Alam naman nito na hindi siya makakalabas ng bahay ng basta-basta.

"Go out? Where do you want to go?" tanong niya sabay tingin dito.

Nagliwanag naman ang mga mata ni Wendy nang makitang nakuha niya ulit ang atensyon ni Serena. "Why don't we go to the mall? Kailangan naten mamili ng mga bagong damit at bag para sa school, Rina."

Lihim naman siyang napangiti nang marinig ang sagot ni Wendy. Naten?

Serena never needed to buy any clothes and bags for herself. All her clothes are custom made for her and all the brands she likes regularly send her their new collection.

"I'll pass this time, Wendy. Alam mo naman na punung-puno pa ang closet ko ng mga bagong damit na hindi ko pa naisusuot." pagtanggi niya.

"Calum even hired a personal stylist to buy clothes that will suit me. Sayang lang at hindi tayo magkasize." dagdag pa niya para lalong mainis si Wendy.

Di naman siya nabigo. Wendy's smile stiffens and she saw a flash of envy in her eyes.

With gritted teeth, Wendy said, "Just help me choose and buy then."

Wendy is feeling anxious now. School is about to start, she really needs new clothes and bags so she can show off in school.

Kung susuotin niya ang kanyang mga lumang damit, siguradong pagtatawanan siya ng mga mayayaman niyang kaibigan. Kailangan niyang mapapayag si Serena.

"Sige na, Rina. It's more fun with you around." pilit parin nito kay Serana.

Tinapunan lamang niya ito ng matiim na tingin at makahulugang ngiti. Of course, you will find shopping more fun with me around, Wendy. After all, I am the one paying for all your purchases.

Knowing the true motive of Wendy, she was about to decline her invitation again when her eyes passed the wedding picture of Calum and her in the room.

Bukas na ang kaarawan niya, ang parehong araw kung kailan sila nagpakasal ni Calum. Muntik na niyang makalimutan na unang wedding anniversary rin nila bukas ni Calum, at wala pa siyang regalo para rito.

Sa kanyang nakaraang buhay, ni minsan hindi siya nag-abalang bigyan ito ng regalo. Kaya gusto sana niyang baguhin iyon sa pagkakataong ito.

"Let's see, Wendy. Magpapaalam muna ako kay Calum, sasama ako kung papayagan niya akong lumabas." tugon niya dito at tumingin sa orasan.

It's already 11 am, almost lunch time. Sa isang araw, dalawang beses tumatawag sa bahay si Calum upang kamustahin at kausapin siya. Bago siya kumain ng pananghalian at pagkatapos niyang maghapunan.

Knowing that he will call soon, she started walking out of her room and towards the dining area. "He will call soon. Bumaba muna tayo para kumain ng tanghalian."

Mabilis namang sumunod sa kanya si Wendy. "Okay. I'm really so excited, Rina! I really need new outfits to wear in school."

Siya, si Wendy at Sabrina ay nag-aaral sa magkaparehong school, IRIS Academy. It's one of the best schools in the capital and is exclusively for elites.

In order for Wendy to attend the same school, she persistently asked her to beg Calum to pull some strings for her.

Pagdating nila sa dining area, nadatnan nila si Pietro na may kausap sa telepono. Nang makita siya nito, mabilis itong lumapit sa kanya at tangkang iaabot ang telepono sa kanya nang biglang humarang si Wendy.

"Pietro, si Kuya Calum ba ang nasa kabilang linya? Pwede ko ba siya makausap?"

Napataas naman ng kilay si Serena sa kanyang narinig. At bakit naman kaya nito gustong makausap si Calum?

Gaya ng inaasahan, hindi siya pinansin ni Pietro at nagpatuloy lamang ito sa pag-abot ng telepono kay Serena.

"Hello, love?" bati ni Serena sa kabilang linya.

"Who's with you?" narinig naman niyang tanong mula sa kausap marahil narinig nito si Wendy kanina.

"Oh, Wendy is here. She wants to invite me to go out to the mall. Malapit na kasi ang pasukan sa school kaya gusto niyang magpasama mamili ng mga gamit. Can I go with her, love? I also want to buy some things."

"I will be good, I promise." dagdag pa niya ng walang narinig na sagot mula sa kausap.

Hindi naman siya nito binigo. "Okay, let the driver take you there. Huwag kang magpagabi."

"Thank you, love!" masaya naman niyang sabi sa kausap.

Hindi niya inaasahang mabilis niya itong mapapayag. Maybe because she kept her promise this past few days so it's easy for him to trust her now. Nonetheless, she was really happy with the progress.

Lalo naman siyang sumaya nang makita ang reaksiyon ni Wendy. Hindi maipinta ang mukha nito dahil sa naging asta ni Pietro kanina at sa narinig na pag-uusap nila Serena at Calum.

Napangisi siya nang makita ang matalim na tingin nito sa kanya.

'No matter how much you glare at me, nothing will change, Wendy. Calum and everything you wanted are mine and will stay mine. They will never be yours, not in this lifetime, and not on my watch.'