Catherine - her secret, her love

Chapter 2

***Oliver***

I learned my Mom's story when I turned 10. Nalaman ko lahat ng paghihirap niya sa pamilya ni Daddy, kaya pala bihira lang kami bumisita duon. At kung pupunta man kami, Mom and Dad make sure na hindi kami mag-iistay overnight.

We settled here, in Tagaytay, my Dad's still working on his family's company, while Mom's also busy with her properties. I am a witness to their unconditional love. I myself, am the fruit of that. Kaya gaano man kapait ang nakaraan ni Mommy, alam kong worth it lahat ng iyon.

I was also 10 years old when I last visited Tito Richard's house. Sobrang bait ng asawa niya, si Tita Bea. Pero ang hindi ko lang maintindihan, sometimes I just feel like hindi sila okay mag-asawa. Siguro masyado lang moody si Tito habang si Tita naman ay ginagawa ang lahat, 'wag lang silang mag-away.

I was also 10 years old when I met her. 'Yung moment na pakiramdam mo, nu'ng magkatinginan kayo, siya na... siya na ang babaeng gusto mong makasama. I know, napakabata ko pa nuon para maisip 'yun. I only had a crush on her then. Pero nu'ng sinabi nila Mommy na muli kaming bibisita sa bahay nila Tita Bea, bigla akong nakaramdam ng saya.

Makikita ko na ulit siya... si Catherine.

"Oli, baby?" Mom called habang inaayos ko pa ang mga gamit ko. 3 days and 2 nights daw kasi kami du'n.

"Mom, I'm almost 20, and you're still calling me baby." Natatawa kong sabi. Hindi na kasi ako nasundan, kaya only child lang.

Natawa na lang din si Mommy. "Whatever. Naka-ayos ka na ba? Aalis na tayo."

"Yep, I'm ready."

"Okay, let's go." She said, always in good mood. Kaya bilib ako sa Mommy ko e. She's always positive, and really kind. Kung meron man akong dapat i-look up o gawing role model sa buhay ko, siya na 'yun.

Mga dalawang oras lang ang byahe namin, bukod sa mabilis kasi magmaneho si Daddy ay wala naman mayadong traffic, thank God. I hate traffic.

"Oli malapit na tayo ha, don't sleep." 'Yung Nanay ko talaga, masyado akong ginagawang baby.

Hindi naman ako natulog thoughout the ride, kahit anong gawin ko kasi ay hindi siya mawala sa isip ko.

Pagdating namin ay agad kaming winelcome ni Tita Bea. I really admire her gentleness.

"Hello, Oliver. Kumusta ka?" Pagbati ni Tita pagkatapos kong mag-mano sa kanya.

"Okay naman po." I smiled.

I'm well-aware about Mom and Tita's past, actually almost everything about my family, but I bet they've all moved on now. Masaya silang nagkita ulit, it's just more like a family reunion again.

Umupo muna kami sa sofa habang hinahanda pa 'yung pagkain. Wala pa si Tito Richard, nasa offce pa rin daw.

"Catherine, andito na sila Tita Olivia mo!" Pagtawag ni Tita Bea, and then turned to me, "Nako Oliver, masyado kasing mahiyain 'yang pinsan mo e. Tignan mo kasasabi ko lang kanina bumaba agad, pero till now wala pa."

"Hayaan mo na, baka may ginagawa lang." Sagot naman ni Mommy.

Yeah, you read it right. Catherine is my cousin.

Ewan ko ba kung anong pumasok sa utak ko at bakit iniisip-isip ko siya. We were playmates before, but now, of course, we're old enough to play like kids again.

"Uh, Tita, can I visit her instead?" I asked out of nowhere.

"Oo naman, matutuwa 'yun, ang tagal niyo din hindi nagkita." Masayang sagot ni Tita.

If only she knew how her daughter really meant to me. If only she knew my true feelings, would she still allow me?

Umakyat na muna ako at hinayaan silang mag-usap sa baba. I'm still familiar with their house, so I know exactly where her room is.

I knocked, and then opened the door. Tulad ng dati, she's busy as ever. Nakaupo lang siya sa kanyang kama habang nagbabasa ng hard-bound historical book.

"Hello?" I said, and suddenly she smiled.

"Uy!" Masaya nitong bati at agad na tumayo. "Andito ka na pala."

"Uhm, yeah? Kanina ka pa tinatawag ng Mommy mo e." Sagot ko. Don't tell me hindi nanaman niya narinig? Kung sa bagay, may sarili naman talagang mundo 'tong babaeng 'to.

"Oh, sorry..." Sabi niya, kinuha ang kanyang libro, saka ito sinoli sa shelf. "So, tara, cous? Naamoy ko na 'yung pagkain e, ngugutom na 'ko."

I personally think though, na sa akin lang lumalabas ang pagiging blunt at makulit niya. Toward me, she's obviously not shy. Toward me, she's just a funny weird girl. But she's my cousin. She speaks to me as her cousin, while I, unfortunately, view her as a girl.

I, unfortunately, am in love with my closest relative. Paano nga ba turuan ang puso? How I wish, katulad na lang kami nila Mommy at Daddy na mahal na ang isa't-isa, and because of some arrangements they ended up being together.

If only we're not cousins, siguro we'll also have that perfect arrangement... that perfect, possible love.