Attention

DEVASTATING PAST

__

Morning came, and it was still too early for Irene to get out of bed. Despite the early hour, she didn't mind, knowing that she had to make breakfast for Fiona. Determined to make things right, Irene focused on doing everything perfectly.

Liza, surprised, asked, "Irene, why are you up so early? Are you going home?"

Irene smiled and replied, "Not yet, Liz. I'm preparing breakfast for Fiona before we head back to Forbes," as she continued her work.

"Huh? Fiona just left with Callista, Rody, and Manang. She said Rodrigo was called to Malacañang earlier than expected," Liza informed her. Irene paused in her actions.

Irene wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face Liza.

"Ganun ba? I wanted to surprise her, but it looks like I'll have to throw this away," Irene said, washing her hands in the sink.

Liza noticed the food in the sink and asked, "Is it that easy for you to just throw it away? It's as if you did the same with Fiona."

Irene stopped washing the utensil she was using and stood with her back to Liza.

"No one will eat it anyway, so it's better to throw it away. Mapapanis lang 'yan," Irene said coldly. Liza chuckled softly.

"Hindi naman yan papanis if you send it to Malacañang or if you personally deliver it there. Sometimes, you just need to put in a little effort to make her happy," Liza said, leaning against the counter.

"Liza, pasensya na sa sasabihin ko. Hindi ko naman pinapakialaman ang parenting style mo kila Zia at Sandro, sana naman respetuhin mo ako bilang kapatid ng asawa mo. Kung sinusumbatan mo ang pagiging ina ko, just stop. Alam ko ang ginagawa ko, Liza." Irene informed her. Liza chuckled and nodded.

"Irene naman. Why are you so defensive? Hindi naman kita sinusumbatan. I'm just informing you kasi baka mamaya or bukas mag-iba na naman ang timpla mo at babalik ka na naman sa dati. I just wanna say that Fiona needs some attention from you and Greggy. She needs both of you." Liza said before excusing herself and leaving the kitchen.

Irene sighed, took off her apron, and went straight to her room.

There, she locked the door and walked to the large open window, feeling the fresh air on her face.

["It's so easy for you to throw that away, just like you did with Fiona."]

"I'm sorry.." Irene whispered and bowed her head.

["The problem is that you don't take full responsibility for anything. Do you think you can just do whatever you want to whoever you want, and everything will be fine? Fiona has such a soft heart, she can feel all the pain you've caused her for the past twelve years. Biro mo labing dalawang taon niyang kinimkim 'yong sakit na binigay niyo simula nung namatay ang kapatid niya."]

"Ang hirap pa din kasi isink-in 'yong mga nangyari. I'm trying, I really am." Irene whispered and clutched her chest.

["Wala akong problema, kayo ang may problema. Your problem isn't always about everyone else around you, but what exists within you. Just leave me alone. As I said, I. DON'T. NEED. YOU. AND. MOMMY."]

["From now on, wala ng Fionabella sa buhay ninyo....I-i don't need you and mommy anymore."]

["You're not doing the right thing. You're doing the worst thing. I did all my best I could to you, to Clarabella, and dad but it still wasn't good enough."]