Chance Again (Again Series #3)

Kabanata 29

You will never know if you are already a burden or not—until your status shows it. Noong nasa puder ako ng pamilya ko, hindi ko naramdaman ni minsan pabigat ako sa buhay, sa inaalagaan lang siguro nilang negosyo dahil iba ang gusto kong kurso sa gusto nilang kunin ko para roon, and that was just because I have my dream.

Now I could say that it was hard to feel like a burden when it comes to money, when it comes to financial aspects.

It was hard to see Cleo working for a lot of jobs just so she could sustain me and my needs. Hindi naman ako pumasok sa buhay ni Cleo at tumira sa puder niya para pahirapan siya, gaya nang gustong iparating ni Olivia. I just really wanted to be with her.

The hardest part is that I can now see what Olivia is talking about. Realistically, she is right. Wala akong silbi, pahihirapan ko lang si Cleo. Ano bang magagawa ng pagmamahal ko para matulungan siya sa gastusin nang magsimula na kaming magsama?

Tinalikuran ko ang bintana.

I held my tears, as strongly as I could.

Masyado kaming masaya ni Cleo kagabi, ayaw kong makita niya akong ganito ngayon. I don't want to ruin what we had and the love that we shared last night.

I fixed myself and wiped my teary eyes.

Nagpasya na lang akong maligo, para sa oras na matapos ako, siguro ay wala na rin si Olivia.

After I took a bath, dumiretso agad ako sa refrigerator para tingnan kung may mailuluto ba ako roon. Naririnig ko kasing nasa baba pa rin si Olivia, pero iba na ang topic nila at hindi na ako. It was about Cleo, taking up a business course.

Wala na rin ang parents ni Cleo, pati sina Closs at Mamang nasa parlor. Kami lang tatlo ang narito sa bahay.

"Here!" Finally, may eggs at bacon akong nakita—na para sa akin ay madali lang siguro iluto. I also watched how Cleo cooked this.

Ako na ang magluluto para kapag tapos nang maglaba si Cleo, tutulungan ko na lang siyang magsampay dahil ayaw niya naman ako tumulong sa paglalaba, para sabay na rin kaming kumain at makapunta na sa mansiyon, to get my uniforms.

Sa isang araw kasi, balik-klase na namin.

I scrambled the eggs and prepared the pan. I put a little amount of cooking oil, gaya nang nakikita kong ginagawa ni Cleo, and right after that, isinalang ko na ang bacon.

"Are you sure, walang kapalit ang pagpapaaral sa 'yo ng Grandpa sa college, Aya?" It was Olivia's voice.

Bahagya tuloy akong nagkaroon ng interes doon.

"Ang mahalaga, makapag-aaral ako."

I bit my lip as I heard Cleo's response. Napaisip na rin ako sa sinabi ni Olivia. I don't know Chairman Lim that much, pero alam ko ang ugali ng mga mayayaman lalo na nf mga businessperson, gaya nina Daddy at Grandma.

Ang tingin nila sa mga anak nila at mga apo ay investments, o kaya ay tauhang hinuhubog para ipagpatuloy ang legacies nila.

"If you need help, don't forget that I am always here." It was gentle, Olivia's voice. Talagang naririnig ko ang sinseridad nito at concern para kay Cleo.

Is it bad to feel insecure? To envy her? Because she is capable of helping Cleo, pero ako simula nang magrebelde, hindi na.

"Ayos lang ako, Liv." And Cleo also has a nickname for her.

Why would I get jealous?

Fine, at least 'love' ang tawag ni Cleo sa akin.

At bakit ba ako lumalaban kay Olivia? Cleo already assured me that Olivia is just her best friend, just like Tim! Feminine nga lang at hindi gaya ni Tim na butch. Is she even straight? I mean, being straight isn't different from being not when love hits you. If you fall in love with the same gender, you will. That's how it works.