It's Time, Cosa Nostra (STEREONA CLAN 1)

Chapter 25

The waiter served our food, ininom ko kaagad ang ice tea na kakalapag lang sa lamesa namin.

“Hey, chill.” Ani ni Philip.

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga gagawin at plano ng magkapatid na ‘yun, kung bakit bigla na lang silang nagpapakita kung saan-saan. I don’t know! Ewan ko kung bakit parang naiinis ako! Ewan ko rin kung bakit may part sa akin na nasasaktan ako. I did the exercise breathing.

Narinig kong natawa si Charmaine, “Ang hirap maging maganda, sis ‘no? Ang daming lalaking nag-aabang at naghahabol.”

I rolled my eyes, “As if namang naghahabol ‘yung dalawang ‘yun.”

“Malay mo naman.”

“Hay nako, tigil.”

Tumawa sina Philip at Charmaine. “How’s life in Italy?” Tanong ni Philip.

“Oo nga sis, kaya ba ayaw mo silang naghahabol kasi meron ka na roon sa ibang bansa? Gwapo ba? Pasok ba sa standard nating dalawa? Artistahin ba ang dating?” Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Charmaine.

“Charmaine.” Masama siyang tinignan ni Philip habang nagpeace sign naman ito at ngumiti lang.

“I’m living my life there and no boys, no suitors, no relationship, it’s just me, myself and I.” I answered.

“Hala ka, baka naman tumanda kang dalaga niyan. Nagmana ka talaga sa pagka-workaholic ni tita.”

“I don’t care, anyways, kailan ang kasal?” Tanong ko, dahil na sa akin ang usapan, let’s turn the table now.

“This month, you’re the maid of honor at magiging tita-ninang ng anak namin soon.” Charmaine answered.

I smiled, “Oh sure, no problem!”

Nagtuloy-tuloy ang usapan namin about sa kasal nila, kaya pala nakipagkita sila ngayong araw dahil baka raw maging busy sila sa pag-asikaso ng kasal nila in the next few days.

“Excuse me, lovers. I’ll just go to the restroom.” I said and they answer with a nod.

Pagkalabas ko sa mismong toilet room, nagulat ako ng makita ko ang  babaeng isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagkanda-gulo-gulo ang buhay ko. Nagkatinginan kami and I just smirk at her, I came near at the washing area kung saan naroon siya. I wash my hands, at nagretouch muna ako.

“Long time no see, my little sister.” Hailey said while smiling evilly.

I smiled at her, “Oh, I’m your little sister? I don’t think so, Hailey Alessandra.”

Biglang nag-iba ang timpla ng mukha niya, “Wow, naging ‘business woman’ ka lang, wala ka ng respeto?”

I smirk, “It’s not about that, woman. Don’t you remember what I said a years ago? The time will come that my respect for you will fade away and that time has come. You hurt me, what do you expect me to do? I’ll respect you? I’ll love you as my big sister? I’ll be good to you? I’m not stupid, to do and act like that.”

Tinalikuran ko na siya at umalis na ako sa harap niya. There, you made it, Ciana Aaliyah! I’m very proud of you, self, you aren’t afraid to say what you really wanted to say. Umupo na akong muli sa pwesto namin ni Charmaine at nakita ko si ate Hailey na kakalabas lang ng restroom at papalapit sa amin.

I chuckled, here comes the leech.

“WAAAHH!”

Napatingin ang lahat sa kaniya dahil nadulas siya sa sahig. I laughed at her and she stand up, kitang-kita mo ang irita at galit sa mga mata niya.

“How dare you to laugh at me?! You should at least help me or respect me, you’re still a Bonneville and you’re still part of Bonneville family so you should respect me!”

I smirk, “Oh, do I need to repeat what I’ve said earlier? I said I’m no longer your sister and you’re not my sister anymore. And excuse me? I’m already a Vicencia. I’m no longer part of Bonneville family, don’t expect me to be part of that family after all the messed and pain that I felt!”

“Because you deserve that, Ciana. Kung naging mabait na anak ka sana at hindi ka nang aagaw, edi hindi ka makakaramdam ng kaartehang ganoon.”

I made a fist, this woman says ‘kaartehan’ to all the pain and brokenness I felt. Kinakalma ko ang sarili ko dahil baka masaktan ko siya pero hindi ko na kaya pang magpigil pagkatapos ng mga sinabi niya. I slap her hard. I deserve those pain huh? Then you deserve that slap.

“You don’t have the rights to say that I deserve those pain and it’s just a ‘kaartehan.’ Remember this, woman. Alam mo kung paano ako nasaktan pero hindi mo alam kung gaano kahirap na bumangon at maging maayos pagkatapos ng lahat ng ‘yun. Huwag mong sabihing kaartehan lang ‘yun dahil hindi mo alam ang naramdaman ko at napagdaanan ko. I deserve those huh? You deserve being slapped and slipped in the floor also, uh, correction, all of that isn’t enough after being a leech and villain in my story. Yes, nasa iyo na ang lahat pero may kulang pa eh, character development. Don’t be a leech, be a woman!”

I walk away, nang makarating ako sa labas ng restaurant nila Charmaine, I’m trying to calm myself. Napatingin ako sa lalaking nasa harapan ko, he wrapped his arms around me at hinahagod niya ang likod ko gamit ang kamay niya.

“Inhale, exhale. C’mon, do it.”

I follow his order and finally nakalma ko na ang sarili ko. Every time I’m mad, every time I’m furious or every time I’m sobbing, I can’t control myself, I don’t know how to calm myself, ni-isa sa mga kakilala ko hindi ako kayang pakalmahin even kuya Asher. But this man right here, who’s standing in front of me knows how to make me calm.

“Here, drink this water.” Azriel said.

Ibinigay niya ang tubig sa akin, tinaggap ko naman ito at ininom na.

“Ciana!” Napatingin kaming dalawa kay Charmaine na halatang nag-aalala.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m sorry if I messed up there.” I answered.

“No, actually, all the customers who ate here clapped at you earlier. They were impressed. Ang ganda daw ng mga sinabi mo tagos hanggang puso.” Philip said.

“And your sister? Guess what?”

“She’s no longer my sister.”

“Oh, yes, I’m sorry. She’s fuming mad, ang sarap pagtawanan kasi halata sa mukha niyang natalo siya.” Charmaine said then she chuckled.

"Ciana, look at me." Azriel said,

I look and face him.

"You did well, you speak for yourself, you aren't afraid to say what you wanted say, I'm proud of you, I'm very proud of you."

Because of those words that he said it made my heart flutter. After all those hardships, sacrifices, breakdowns I experienced, I finally heard those words that I wanted to hear. And unexpectedly, those words I heard comes from the man that I loved.