Unheeded Veracity of Sentiments

068 | Narration

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CAZ.

Through Enzel, I discovered who owned that bookshop. I read the documents from Arnold and discovered a few things about them. It was Enya's aunt-who apparently, just fled the country. It's her and her cousin, Meagan, who worked there to help.

Enya had a normal and decent life. An only child raised by both her parents. Her father worked in a hotel as an HR Manager and her mother was a housewife, repairing clothes as a part-time. What they earned was enough to raise her. Everything was well, until she lost them in a car accident after a mall collapsed. It was the exact moment they drove past that mall. Due to this, she lost her hearing permanently.

Enya was only 8 when she lost everything.

It was reasonable that she had no choice but to be in the custody of the only sibling of her mother. Her father was an only child. Both her grandparents were too weak to take care of her.

Her aunt, on the other hand, had a rough history. The document listed several charges of drug related cases and theft taken in action years ago. Despite not being married, she had a daughter. That was Meagan.

And right after taking custody of Enya, she established the bookshop. As if money appeared in front of her. Absolutely possible. It can be also true that she took all the money that should be inherited by Enya.

"Why did you buy that shop?"

That was out of rage and impulse. I managed to ask Rani personally about her decision.

She placed her cup of tea back on the table. "It had something special." With her composed composure, I am sure she's proud of herself. Her confidence was radiating.

I gritted my teeth, but I masked it with a begrudging smirk. "To believe is to see."

"No. To see is to believe." she replied. "I saw something different within that shop. The books, the ambience-"

"Because what? You want to make your father proud?" I scoffed. "Don't be pathetic, Rani." That was quite harsh of me. However, it was too late to take back. It made me sink in regret.

Her face clenched as her expression gone bitter. I didn't mean to, but I knew I hit a nerve. "You have no idea of what you're saying."

"That shop belongs to someone else. H'wag mo nang ituloy 'yong project." I stated with conviction, getting a little more calmer.

"Well, apparently, it belongs to me now. Why are you so mad about this?" she looked at me with disbelief. "You know, I have lots of plans-and this is the first time I'll be doing something for myself and my family. I thought you'd be happy for this." Rani sounded upset with her disheartened eyes starting at me.

"I don't know why you're against this. . . but to make it clear for my defense; it wasn't easy reaching this point. I've gone through many trials, and I'm finally here. Making my parents happy." she heaved a deep sigh. "You won't understand because you're a man."

I looked at her, feeling much more collected. "This isn't about me, Rani."

She chuckled and wiped her eyes with a finger. "I know. I'm sorry, that's not how it's suppose to be. I'm just. . . let's say, disgruntled. It's so hard pleasing my parents. They think I can't do anything because I'm a woman, which is just so shitty. Even when I couldn't marry you because you don't like me, they were disappointed. But. . . what could I do? I don't want to be the person who forces myself to someone. That is, definitely, pathetic."

Tinignan ko lamang siya. It must've been hard. And it's ironic how Enzel is envious of her and what's she's achieved-turns out, it was nothing. It was nothing to the discrimination and degradation she experienced.

"However, that's alright. I already have this thing. This project. I can finally prove something to them." Rani smiled.

"I'm sorry." ani ko.

"Are you saying sorry?"

"I'm taking back what I said."

"You can't." she looked a bit amused. But I know she's only surprised. I was a jerk. I can't criticise her for having that judgement over me.

"You're really certain about this, so I can't do anything." I sighed. "But know that they were people who got affected."

"Affected? Me and the owner had a proper process through the contract, Caz. Everyone agreed. It was perfect." aniya. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ulit ako. Her aunt is a greedy one. Absolutely.

"Right," I nodded slowly. "Goodluck, Rani."

That's when I knew. I can't do anything about it.

But there's something else I can do for Enya.

"Enzel?" I immediately called him after bidding goodbye to her.

"Yeah? You called."

"I need another favor." giit ko.

"Aight, ano 'yon?"

"Can you ask Arnold to dig about the mall incident that happened 13 years ago?"

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