Every New Beginning Counts

Chapter 7

Sam opened the door and let Belle come in who encircled her arms around his neck. No words, both hugged each other until he pulled away to kiss his sister's cheek.

"How's your driving?" nakangiting tanong ni Sam.

"It was okay," Belle chuckled. "It's been a week."

Sumandal si Belle sa likuran ng pinto at huminga nang malalim. Namayani ang katahimikan sa kanila ni Sam na dumeretso sa kusina. Iniabot nito sa kaniya ang coffee cup at platito na mayroong croissant.

"Eat first," ani Sam na naupo sa dining table.

"Kuya," Belle held Sam's hand. "How was Barbara?"

Sam shook his head. "It's been a week, pero tahimik pa rin siya. She's not talking about what happened that day and everytime there's a chance na makakapagtanong ako, parang nararamdaman na niya. Naka-focus lang siya kay Andra now."

"Where is she?"

"I think she's sleeping. After dinner, pumasok na siya, eh," Sam stared at Belle. "Can you help me with her? I seriously can't ask her about what's going on. Alam naman nating she'll just shut us out, but can you try? I wanna know what triggered."

Belle nodded and smiled warmly. "I'll do my best, Kuya. May gagawin ka ba sa café today until tomorrow? Hindi na rin muna ako papasok sa school hanggang bukas so we can focus on Barbara. I'll take her out . . . without Andra muna. Just me and Barbara?"

"Sige lang. I'll stay here with Andra. Ikaw na muna ang bahala kay Barbara," sagot ni Sam. "Thank you for being here. I know you're busy, too, but really . . . Thank you."

"It's nothing. Anything for Ara," Belle smiled.

Nagpaalam si Belle na papasok muna siya sa kwarto ni Barbara at naabutan ang kakambal niyang kalong si Andra. Nakaupo ito at nakasandal sa headboard ng kama habang nakaharap sa TV na nakabukas, pero walan sounds.

"Hi." Kumaway si Belle. "She's sleeping na?"

Ara nodded. "Ibaba ko lang siya sa bed," she mouthed.

Belle nodded and fixed Andra's pillows. Gandang-ganda siya sa pamangkin nila dahil kamukha naman talaga ito ni Ara. Oo, magkamukha rin sila, pero mas soft ang features ng kakambal niya. Mas mabait ang aura ng mga mata, mas soft-spoken, at mas madalas itong nangakati.

. . . noon.

Ara changed drastically two years ago. Mas madalas na itong nasa kwarto, nagbabasa na lang ng libro o nanonood ng TV series mag-isa, madalas na bumibili ng take-outs at hindi na kumakain sa labas, bihira na ring hawakan ang phone, hindi na nagsusulat sa blog, at marami pang iba.

Ikinalungkot iyon ni Belle, Sam, at Sayaka, pero wala silang magawa.

Her twin didn't want to go to counseling, too, and it was the biggest issue. Ayaw ni Ara at hindi nila ito puwedeng pilitin.

"Kanina pa ikaw here?" tanong ni Ara kay Belle. "I didn't know you'll come!"

"I just got here," Belle whispered. "Wala kasi akong class tomorrow so I dropped by. Miss ko na 'tong baby Antoinette na 'to, eh."

Ara stared at Belle who was fixing Andra's comforter. She knew that her twin was lying. She knew that Belle was there for her, not Andra, and she wasn't complaining. She missed her twin sister, too.

"Gusto mo mag-eat sa labas? I'm craving for fluffy pancakes. The café I love offers it," mahina ang pagkakasabi niya para hindi magising si Andra. "We can ask Kuya Sam to look after Antoinette muna."

Tumango si Belle at excited pa nga ito. Nagmadali pa itong lumabas ng kwarto nang sabihin niyang magpapalit na muna siya ng damit. Inayos na rin muna niya ang mga milk ni Andra para kapag iniwan nila ito kay Sam, hindi na magiging problema.