Every New Beginning Counts

Chapter 19

Ara waited for a reply from Kanoa, but she got nothing. The entire night, she was waiting for it hoping he had a good reason why he didn't attend their daughter's birthday. Kung mayroon man, iintindihin naman niya ngunit itong wala siyang alam, naka-read receipt ang messages niya, hindi niya alam kung ano na ang nangyayari.

It was past midnight when Ara stood up and bit her lower lip. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to know what was happening. She wanted to talk to Kanoa.

. . . but he wasn't answering any of her messages, even her calls!

Maingat na lumabas ng kwarto si Ara para uminom ng tubig nang maabutan si Sayaka at Sam kusina. Parehong tumigil ang dalawa sa pag-uusap at tumingin sa kaniya.

"You're still awake!" Sayaka smiled.

"I can't sleep," Ara responded in a low voice and walked towards the fridge to get some liquids. While drinking, she leaned by the door and stared at nowhere.

Sam noticed. "What's happening, Barbara? Everything okay?"

Ara bit her lower lip and looked down, shaking her head. "No. Something's wrong with Kanoa and I don't know what's happening 'cos he's keeping me in the dark and . . . and . . ."

Sam and Sayaka gazed at each other. Ara sounded lost and couldn't find the right words to say. Her brows furrowed while scraping her lips using her own teeth. Kita niya ang higpit ng hawak ni Ara sa baso at alam ni Sam na hindi niya puwedeng pigilan ang kapatid sa gusto nitong gawin.

"Kung gusto mo siyang puntahan to know, for your peace of mind, go. I'll be with Antoinette." Ibinaba ni Sam ang coffee cup para kay Sayaka. "Belle's here, Sayaka's here, we'll look after her. Go and find out what's happening."

Nagulat si Sayaka sa sinabi ni Sam kaya napatitig siya rito. Tahimik niyang pinagmasdan ang magkapatid na pinag-uusapan ang posibleng pag-alis ni Ara kahit na disoras ng gabi. Knowing Sam, nagulat talaga si Sayaka. He even offered to bring her to Kanoa, but Ara declined.

Ara kissed Antoinette's cheeks before leaving. Kung tutuusin, nag-iisip pa lang siya ng sasabihin sa kuya niya nang magsabi itong puwede siyang umalis kung kailangan at kung gusto niya. It was even more shocking when his brother offered to drive for her.

"Are you gonna be okay? Sure kang kaya mo mag-drive?" tanong ni Sam habang nakasandal sa may pinto ng kwarto niya.

"I am," Ara smiled and walked towards Sam. "Thank you for allowing me."

Mahina itong natawa. "Hindi na kita mapipigilan, alam ko. Ayusin mo na lang 'yan. Just call if you need anything and please, drive safely. Message mo ako 'pag nakarating ka na. Proof of life. Pangit ka pa namang mag-drive."

Sayaka laughed silently. She knew that Sam was just messing up, trying to lighten up the mood.

Habang binabaybay ni Ara ang daan, pinagmamasdan niya ang lugar dahil buhay na buhay pa rin kahit madaling araw na. Puno pa rin ang kalsada ng mga sasakyan, marami pa ring tao ang naglalakad sa sidewalk, bukas pa rin ang ibang establishments tulad ng mga kainan at bars. Nakita rin niya ang mga magkasintahang naglalakad habang magkahawak ang kamay.

And she missed those dates they had in the past.

Natatakot siya sa kung anong puwedeng madatnan, pero bahala na. Simula naman nang makilala niya si Kanoa, palagi na siyang takot. Minsan siyang natakot na mahulog dito, pero hindi niya pinigilan ang sarili niya. Natakot siyang mahalin ito, pero mismong sarili niya, trinaydor niya. Natakot siyang mawala ito sa kaniya, pero pinakawalan niya.

Lahat ng takot, mas nadagdagan nang malaman niyang laro lang siya kay Kanoa. Sumunod pa ang video na kumalat . . . hanggang sa nalaman niyang ipinagbubuntis niya ang mga anak nila. Natakot siya dahil mag-isa siya . . . at isang tanong lang ang nasa isip niya noon . . .