“I was so worried hija. Your brother called me last night and masama raw ang pakiramdam mo. How are you?” Bungad sa akin ni tita Lisa nang makapasok ako sa loob ng bahay.
“I’m alright, tita. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to dinner.” I kissed her. She clung to my arm as we went inside their garden.
“Don’t worry about it. Mabuting nakakapag pahinga ka. How many times do I have to tell you na dito nalang kayo tumira ng kuya mo? Our house is big, palaging wala dito ang tito mo at mga katulong lang ang kasama ko.” I grab a chair and sit. Ganon din ang ginawa niya.
Aunt Lisa’s garden is my favorite spot in their mansion. The sweet smell of fresh air pulsed through me, bringing me back to my childhood. Somehow, even things in nature seemed to be bred with extravagant here.
“Dadalawin naman kita rito palagi, tita. Besides, you and tito did a lot of things for me and my brother. I don’t want to burden you more.” She dismissed me by waving her hand.
“You were never a burden, hija. You and your brother.” She motioned for one of the maids to bring us food.
“I will visit you more often, tita. Or we could go on a vacation. What do you think? It’s been a long time since our last vacation.” Ngumiti ako ng lumiwanag ang mukha niya.
“Oh! That’s good to hear, hija. Very good.” Ngumiti siya sa akin at nag iwas ng tingin. There’s something she wants to tell me. I grin widely.
“What is it, tita?” she looked at me and smiled awkwardly. Napatawa ako sa reaction niya. She looks like a child.
“Hija, remember your tita Betty? My friend? She called me last time and she asked if I could bring you to dinner tonight. Her son Maxon, remember him? Kakauwi lang daw from France and… He wanted to see you.” Agad nag laho ang ngiti ko sa narinig.
Tita Betty is my aunt’s best friend. I’ve known her since I was a child. Her son Maxon is my childhood friend. If I remember correctly, aside from handling their business he became a psychologist.
I like Maxon. He’s gentleman and kind. Hindi rin maipag kakaila ang kakisigang taglay nito. But I like him platonically. Nothing more. Kaya naman nang nag tapat siya sa akin noong high school kami, her mom and my aunt are the happiest. I didn’t return the favor. Sinabi ko sa kanya na hanggang kaibigan lang ang turing ko sa kanya. He understands my decision but we never been the same. Hanggang sa umalis siya papunang ibang bansa ay hindi na kami nakapag usap.
“Why does he want to see me? I’m afraid I can’t com---” pinutol ni tita Lisa ang sasabihin ko.
“Oh please, hija! You know Betty is so fond of you. She misses you a lot. Besides, sinabi mo rin sa akin na sasamahan mo ako. Hindi mo ba ako mapag bibigyan?” She sounds so convincing. I know I cannot decline her now.
“Fine. But I can’t promise you anything, tita. You know what I meant.” Tiningnan ko siya nang matiim. She laughs at me.
“What are you talking about, hija?” napailing nalang ako.
After a moment one of the maids called us for lunch. Iginiya ako ni tita Lisa papunta sa dining hall.
“You know, Maxon is a very lovely guy, Isabella. His parents are so proud. Hindi nga namin alam ng tita Beth mo kung bakit wala pa ring girlfriend ngayon. Can you believe it?” patuloy niya sa litanya niya. Here we go again.
“Beth told me na wala raw bukang bibig ang batang iyon kundi ikaw. I really don’t understand kung ano ang hindi mo nagugustuhan sa kanya Isabella, he’s handsome, rich, kind, and smart. Your parents would be so happy to have you settle down with him.”
“Tita, I told you about this a long time ago. Maxon is good but I don’t feel the same way. Makakahanap din siya ng para sa kanya. I cannot return his affection.” Uminom ako ng juice at pinunasan ang bibig ng table napkin. Ibinaba ko ang kubyertos at tiningnan siya ng mabuti.
“I know that, hija. I’m sorry if you feel like I’m pressuring you. I’m just worried na baka dahil parin sa nangyari noon kaya hin---”
“That will never happen again, tita. It’s already done. Whatever happened in the past is already done. He cannot control me now. This is my own decision. I won’t let that bastard manipulate everything again.” mahabang litanya ko.
She looks at me worriedly.
“I hope so, hija. I hope so.”
I closed my eyes hard. It’s already done. I already escaped that dark chapter of my life. I already escaped him.
BINABASA MO ANG
Her Obsessed Suitor
General FictionIsabella Mendez is the epitome of perfection. She has beauty and a body to die for. Envied by women, and desired by men, but despite these, no man ever tries to take a claim on her. Later did she know, someone is secretly manipulating her life...