Bed Of Roses°

CHAPTER 27

(Hi. This is the last chapter. Thank you for reading all the way here. Yes po. I pressured myself to end this immediately (after 2-year-hiatus). Akala ko kasi walang magbabasa nito but I met unexpected readers. I read and replied all your messages and comments. Thank you very much! You deserve a tragic ending - charot. Hahaha. Epilogue next.)

Chapter 27

"I'm sorry po for prying..."

Umiling si Tita Via. She grabbed a tissue paper on the table and wiped her tears. She looked at me.

"No. I don't know. It's such a relief telling you my story. Thank you, Hija. I have never expected this conversation with you. Thank you. Hindi ko alam pero sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam na nasabi ko sa iyo ito. Kahit... kahit masama-"

"H-Hindi po masama ang nakaraan niyo, Tita. Si Rafael Vanuato po ang masama!" agap ko.

And that's when I realized what I said. Her eyes immediately widened in disbelief and pure shock. Nakagat ko ang labi sa hindi magandang nasabi.

"H-How did you..."

"I'm sorry po..." my tears immediately fell.

Tumayo ako at marahang humakbang sa harapan ni Tita Via. She was looking at me intently, confused of my actions. Nang marating ko ang kanyang harapan, dahan-dahan akong lumuhod habang nakayuko. My tears were rolling continuously.

"A-Aya, get up. You don't have to-" she tapped my shoulders, shocked from my sudden movement.

Nanatili ang tuloy-tuloy na pagpatak ng luha sa aking mga mata. Slowly, I rose up my head and faced the beautiful woman in front of me. She looked shocked from seeing me crying. Agad siyang nangapa ng sasabihin, hindi alam kung ano'ng gagawin.

"I'm sorry." pasimula ko. "Pasensya na po kung ako ang dahilan kung bakit... kung bakit nawarakan ang iyong nakaraan. Hindi ko po iyon sinasadya."

"A-Aya... Ano..." Tita Via's lips parted.

"Pasensya na po kung dahil sa akin, nasasaktan kayo hanggang ngayon,"

"Aya, I don't understand. Tumayo ka. Please..."

She held my shoulders. I felt comforted and at the same time guilty.

"Pasensya na po. Hindi ko po sinasadya. Wala po akong alam sa nangyayari. Pasensya na po. Pasensya na po..."

Yumuko ako at mas lalong dumaloy nang tuloy-tuloy ang luha sa aking mga mata.

"Aya... Hindi ko maintindihan... Bakit?"

"I am your lost daughter." I looked up to see her reaction. "Sinabi po ni Tiya Paola sa akin ang lahat. Ako po ang nawawalang anak ninyo. Ako po ang dahilan ng lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman ninyo ngayon. Pasensya na po. Hindi ko naman po alam na..."

She looked shocked and surprised. Natulala siya nang ilang minuto habang titig na titig sa akin. She stared at me as if memorizing every bit of my face. I felt conscious and awkward.

I was about to speak an apology again when she moved closer and hugged me so tightly. Her shoulders moved upside-down, indicating her crying. I was shocked and surprised as well from the way she reacted.

"Aya..." she sobbed. "My girl... My daughter... Anak ko,"

Sobrang higpit ng yakap niya sa akin. I didn't move. She was crying and moved. My heart was aching. She totally acknowledged me as her daughter without second thought. She remained hugging me for ten minutes.

She loosened up the hug and caressed my face. She stared at me once again as if I would be gone if she didn't.

"We could have a DNA testing po if-"