Versailles Series Book 7: The Ballerina [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 61

=== A L E X A N D R I A ===

Shock is an understatement. Welcome home?

After Janica, Juan Miguel's mom hugged me too. "It's so nice to see you again, hija. You're still as beautiful as I last saw you."

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay hinila na ako ni Janica. "Buti nadala ka pa ni Kuya rito. Alam ko naman na hindi pa kayo okay talaga base sa huling sinabi niya sa amin."

"We are working things out. But I'm not sure..."

She smiled at me. "Okay lang iyon, Ate. Pahirapan mo lang si Kuya. Marami siyang nagawa sa iyo. Kahit na anong nangyari noon, dapat hindi niya ginawa iyon sa iyo. Hay...deserve niya talaga iyung mga bugbog sa kanya."

"Bugbog?"

Tumango si Janica. "Yeah...he came home before with some bruises and black eyes. Sabi niya, tinuruan lang daw siya ng mga kaibigan mo ng leksyon. Didn't he tell you?"

"Oh that, yeah."

She waved her hand. "Anyways, sabi ni Kuya huwag ka namin guluhin pero na-excite lang kami. You know, like the old times? Kayo lang naman ang nagbreak ni Kuya. Pero kung hindi ka rin kumportable sa amin, okay lang naman."

"It's okay. I missed you guys too." Lumapit ako at bumulong rito. "So...do you know what your Kuya has planned?"

Umiling ito ng marahan. "Hindi ko rin alam, Ate. Pero sure ako, magugustuhan mo." Bumuntong-hininga ito. "Si Kuya, hindi talaga mahilig o magaling mag-plano ng dates. Pahirap na iyon sa kanya. Pero wala pa iyon sa mga kasalanan niya sa iyo."

I chuckled and tapped her shoulder. "I believe we're past that, Janica. We recognized where we went wrong and talked about it. We're moving forward now. But I can't help but still have reservations."

"I'm sure malapit mo na ma-figure out iyan, Ate."

The family arranged lunch for us before his mom and sisters dragged me to the living room to see Juan Miguel's baby pictures. They were so adorable. Napahaplos ako sa isa sa mga litrato. I wonder if his baby will look just like this...

"Alexandria?"

I looked at his mom when she called my name. "Tita?" Doon ko lang napansin na kaming dalawa na lang ang naiwan sa living room.

"I know that you being here means you're giving my son another chance. Not guaranteed but still, malaking bagay pa rin ito para sa kanya. I haven't talked to you in a while."

Nahihiya akong ngumiti rito. We were close before that's why I also missed her. She was my second mom.

"I always watched your shows in Paris. I knew you had it in you."

"I...bakit po hindi kayo nagpakita?"

She shrugged. "It was out of respect for you and my son's relationship or lack thereof if you know what I mean. I didn't know where to stand."

"I would have loved to see you then, Tita."

She shook her head. "It would have been for the better."