Please Me (Ranillo series #2)

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

"Stop talking, Kim." suway ni Marlon sa kapatid. "You're making her feel awkward."

"Why?" tumingin sa akin si Kim. "Hindi ka dapat mahiya, Ai. Magiging family na tayo soon. Kailan ka ba magpropose, Kuya?"

Napakurap-kurap ako. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking dress. I felt Marlon's hand holding mine. Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Don't listen to her. I'm not pressuring you." bulong niya.

Does that mean... may plano nga siya na ganoon?!

"Kim, stop it. Don't meddle with your brother's relationship. Huwag mo silang pangunahan." saway ni Tita Laarni.

"Bakit hindi mo isipin kung kailan kayo magpapakasal? Ang hilig mong mangialam sa iba." singit ni Tyler.

Umismid si Kim. "Matagal pa kami. Marami pang nakapila tapos dadagdag pa si Kuya."

Bumaling si Lola Angelina sa akin. "Huwag mong pansinin si Kim, hija. Kumusta sina Rafael?"

"Maayos naman po." tipid kong sagot.

"Well he must be happy..." ngumiti si Lola Angelina. "Despite everything that your family went through..."

I nodded and smiled. Inalala ko ang mga nangyari sa pamilya. Madaming nangyari na muntik nang sumira sa amin. I thought it would happen. Thankfully, we remained strong and held on each other.

"There are so many issues in the past. They affected all of you. One of them was about Marlon,"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. I was about to speak when she continued.

"Nakakahiya na nakadagdag pa iyon sa mga iniisip ninyo. I know everything wasn't true and purely rumors but I still feel guilty when I think about it. You were the one who suffered, hija. That's why I want to apologize."

Umawang ang bibig ko. Natahimik ang lahat at tumigil sa pagkain.

"Privacy is our top priority, even though we are all public figures and people always watch us. I know you value your family's privacy. Hindi rin namin gusto ang pag-usapan. Naiintindihan kita kung bakit nagdesisyon kang umalis noon."

Tumikhim si Marlon at naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng hawak niya sa kamay ko. Naalala ko ang mga nangyari noon. How I was bullied, humiliated, and hurt... everyone believed I was his mistress.

"It was hard for you. I am sorry we couldn't do anything that time. We've worked so hard to deny it but you know," Lola Angelina chuckled. "We always believe what we want to believe."

I wanted to speak. I want to say that nothing's their fault. Wala silang kasalanan. Why is she saying sorry?

"I didn't know back then that my grandson likes you. If I knew, I would've stopped him from coming close to you-"

"Lola, I would still-" putol ni Marlon pero pinutol siya ng tawa ng kanyang lola.

"I know, hijo. Matitigas ang ulo ninyong lahat. Manang-mana kayo sa mga magulang ninyo. What I was saying is that, if I knew back then, I would've made a way. Hindi sana nasaktan si Aianne sa mga usapan at sa mga nangyari."

"Wala po kayong kasalanan." giit ko.

Umiling si Lola Angelina. "My grandson was involved. You are both the subjects of the issues. You left because it hurt you so much. You were away from your family for years. Kung walang isyu, hindi mangyayari iyon."

Umiling din ako. "Wala po kayong kasalanan. I chose to leave. Desisyon ko po ang umalis, wala po kayong kasalanan."

"I still want to apologize, hija... You were hurt because of my grandson. Nasaktan ang pamilya mo dahil sa amin."