Embers From Within (Casa Fuego Series #6)

Chapter 28

Sa Wakas 

"Darling, your grandfather badly wants to see and talk to you. Do you think you can go here in Cebu over the weekend?" Lola's soothing and pleading tone resonated over the call.

Marahan akong napapikit habang nagmamaneho. Pagmulat ko, saktong umula sa green light. Noong isang araw pa ako pinapakiusapan ni Lola na umuwi ng Casa Fuego dahil naroon sila ngayon. Lolo is trying to rekindle his relationship with my mother, who fell mad at him when she learned what Lolo did to Art's company.

Nasisiguro ko na hindi lang nagalit si Mama sa ginawa ni Lolo dahil nasira ang relasyon namin ni Art. Kundi dahil alam din ni Mama, at siguro nasaksihan din niya tutal ay malapit siya sa mga Divinagracia, kung gaano nagpursigi si Art para sa kompanya niya. Lolo, no matter what his motivations were, did not have the right to do that to him. He wasn't entitled to judge our relationship. His concern for me – I'd forever be grateful. But his cruel actions out of his concern for me – totally unsolicited. It didn't do anyone good, in the end.

Maaaring ang Vixon at si Senator Guazano ang nagpabagsak sa kompanya ni Art – pero si Lolo ang nagsimula. He made the cracks. Downfall always starts with cracks. Lolo was also responsible for Art's impaired company and stained career.

"I'm sorry, Lola. I'm really, really busy this weekend. And the next weekend," sagot ko.

"How about the next next weekend? We can stay. Your Lolo can wait," she answered in a hopeful tone.

Natahimik ako. Sa totoo lang, ayaw ko ring umuwi ng Cebu para makipagkita sa kanila. I wasn't particularly aloof and cold towards Lolo, but until now I condemn what he did. Mama was very vocal and showy about her disapproval while I remain distant – convincing myself that it's futile to be mad, anyway. We're done. He broke up with me.

I just realized recently, when I heard from Russ about Art's lost in the trial, that I can never think small about the consequences he suffered.

"Busy rin po, Lola." Namamaos kong sagot, dahil ang totoo'y hawak ko naman ang oras ko bilang CEO. Makakapunta ako kung gugustuhin ko. But that's the problem. I don't want to go.

She sighed heavily. I knew she got the underlying message beneath my answer. I immediately feel bad but I really didn't think I could do it – yet.

"Alright, then. Just visit us when you're free. Or if you want, we can visit you. When you're free."

Mapait akong napangiti. "I'll text or call every now and then. Gotta go, Lola. I'm driving."

"Take care, darling."

I sighed long and heavy after the call. I really don't care about my history with Art anymore. I've long accepted that we were over. And if by some moonshot chance, I don't want us to get back together because, honestly, loving him drained the hell out of me. But the guilt for what he had to suffer because of me will never go away. Even when he made me suffer, too, just as much.

I sighed heavily again. I'm on my way home to take a rest after a very hectic morning and now I'm thinking about him. I don't always think about him for the past years but when I do, I feel heavy. Mainly because of guilt.

Bumigat din ang aking paghinga dahil sa lungkot na nararamdaman mula sa pagtanggi kay Lola. I was very close to my grandparents but now the last I saw them was two years ago. I realized that I've been so focused on my career that I've went far too much without ever looking back. Unfortunately, I have also unconsciously left my family behind. And now I'm homesick but I can't go home.

Tito Fred is in Canada to visit Kuya Eros. Russ must be probably busy right now. Kaya naman agad kong minaniubra ang sasakyan paliko para pumunta sa opisina ni Emy. When there's a minor inconvenience in my life, I go straight to her. And luckily, she was in her office and not in a site somewhere.