Every New Beginning Counts

Chapter 10

The moment Ara saw Antoinette's cute little face, her heart calmed. She felt exhausted and the only one who could make her feel okay was sleeping soundly inside their room. As much as she wanted to kiss her daughter, she didn't.

"So, how was your girl date?" Samuel asked.

Belle gazed at Ara. "It was okay."

"Bakit parang hindi ka sigurado?" Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Sam habang nakatingin kay Belle. May mali sa tono ng boses ng kapatid niya lalo na at nakatingin ito kay Ara. "Ara, are you okay?"

"I am. How's Antoinette, Kuya Sam? Nagkulit ba ulit siya?" Sinubukan ni Ara na ibahin ang usapan dahil alam niyang mahahalata siya ng kuya niya. Nilingon niya si Belle na nakatingin sa kaniya. "Anyway, I have to tell you something, Kuya."

Tumango si Sam. Ibinaba nito ang basong hawak sa bar counter at seryosong nakatingin kay Ara. "Ano 'yon?"

Sumandal si Belle sa pader at pinagkrus niya ang braso habang nakatingin sa kakambal niya. Hindi siya sigurado kung sasabihin ba talaga nito sa kuya niya dahil hindi naman siya nagtanong. Hindi niya itinanong kay Ara dahil ayaw niyang maging uncomfortable ito sa kaniya.

"Ara, ano'ng nangyari? Is there a problem?" Lumapit si Sam at hinaplos ang pisngi ni Ara bago tumingin kay Belle. "Belle?"

"Kuya. . ." Nakagat ni Ara ang ibabang labi dahil kinakabahan siya sa posibleng maging reaksyon ng kuya niya. "I. . . I met Antoinette's father," aniya habang nakayuko.

Hindi sumagot ang kuya niya kaya nag-angat siya ng tingin. Sumandal ito sa bar counter, nakapamulsa ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang bulsa ng pantalon, at nakatingin sa kaniya. Mukhang naghihintay ng susunod pa niyang sasabihin. Nilingon niya si Belle na binigyan siya ng isang tango.

"We've met and I decided to let him into Antoinette's life," Ara said without buckling. "I wan—"

"Are you ready for this? I am not," pag-aamin ni Sam. "I get that you want him involved, but where was he during your pregnancy, birth, and while Antoinette's growing up? We don't even have the slightest idea who he was."

Ara was staring at Sam, observing him. Nakakunot ang noo nito habang nakatingin sa kaniya, halatang hindi nagustuhan ang sinabi niya. Nanatili itong nakasandal sa bar counter habang naghihintay ng sagot. Wala rin siyang masabi dahil parang may nakabara sa lalamunan niya at hindi na alam kung ano pa ang tamang salita.

Iyon ang iniisip niya habang nasa sasakyan sila pauwi ng condo, kung paano sasabihin sa kuya niya ang tungkol kay Kanoa.

"We never asked you about him. Ako ang kasama mo rito sa condo, pero wala akong idea. This is one thing I'd been dying to ask, but didn't to protect your peace," Sam paused and shook his head. "And now . . . you're telling me that you met him and that you're letting him touch Antoinette?"

"Kuya," Belle interrupted.

"No, Belle. I deserve to know. Una sa lahat, gusto kong malaman kung bakit sa umpisa pa lang, hindi mo na pinakilala sa 'min ang father ni Andra. What was wrong with him? What happened to you both? I wanna know before I'll agree with him entering my niece's life."

Belle noticed that Ara hid her hands behind her and started scratching the back of her hand using her fingernails. Ara was breathing heavier, too, and she knew she had to step in. Gets niya ang mga tanong ng kuya niya, pero hindi niya kayang makitang ganito ang sitwasyon ng kakambal niya.

Lumapit siya kay Ara at hinaplos ang magkabilang pisngi ng kakambal niya. "Go inside and rest. We had a rough day today. Just make sure to take bath before kissing Andra."

"Belle, I'm not yet done," Sam said in a low voice.

Patagilid na tiningnan ni Bell ang Kuya niya habang hawak pa rin ang magkabilang pisngi ni Ara. "I know, but we can talk about this later. Ara's unwell. She needs to rest and I'm craving some fried oreos, Kuya Sam. Do you have a vanilla ice cream?"