Of Love and Politics I: Juego Limpio - Completed

CHAPTER 54

Alana massaged her temple nang makita ang paperworks na nasa harap niya. Tumambak na ang mga aasikasuhin niya dahil sa pangangampanya niya noong nakaraang araw.

She took a paper from the pile. Binasa niya iyon. These are the letters of the local people to their offices and it was a mess. Madami pa ding mga corruption at mga patayan sa lugar nila. This letters are people's cry for help. May mga nanghihingi ng tulong para sa pag papagamot ng mga magulang, kamag-anak o mga anak nila. There are also reports of illegal logging. May mga humihiling pa na imbestigahan nila ang nangyayaring mga patayan. May mga iba naman na humihiling na lagyan ng barangay road ang kanilang mga daan.

This isn't part of her job as a city councilor but she wanted for people to reach them through this "Pagdadamayang Sulat" inbox that was sent to her regularly. Palagi niyang binabasa ang mga sulat ng mga tao para malaman niya kung ano ang mga kailangan niyang gawin para sa mga ito. Pero kung minsan ay sumasakit din talaga ang ulo niya.

She pushed the button of the intercom in her office. "Shiela. Do I need to sign some paper works?"

Tinulak niya ang papel sa gilid niya. She had gone over it a few times. Nag sulat na din siya ng mga batas at ordinansa na gusto niyang ipatupad tungkol sa mga sulat. She needs to do her other duties too.

She heard a knock on the door and Shiela peeked from the door before entering.

Nakangiting ibinaba nito ang dokumento sa harap niya. Alana groaned. She thought ay matatapos na siya sa mga papel but she took one look at the papers in front of her ay gusto niya na lang itulak iyon palayo. Halos 6 inches and tangkad nang mga papel na inilapag nito.

"Ito po ang for review niyo."

"God." Alana put a hand to her head and took a big gulp of air.

Tatawa tawang tumalikod sa kanya si Shiela at lumabas sa pintuan ng office niya.

Alana grumbled but she took one paper from the stack and started reading it. Wala naman kasing ibang gagawa noon kung hindi siya.

After she finished reading, reviewing and evaluating the papers Shiela brought her ay kinuha niya na ang bag niya sa gilid ng lamesa niya at tumayo. She needs to clear her mind and to also plan her strategy for running as a Mayor in San Aguinaldo.

Dumilim ang mukha niya nang maalala ang itsura ng Mayor ng San Aguinaldo ngayon. That man is worst than the previous Mayor. Everything had fallen apart sa ginawa niya. Now she wanted to make everything right. Maybe if she runs for the Mayor of San Aguinaldo. Saka niya lang maaayos ng tuluyan ang bayan na iyon ng Atega.

She sighed and look up at the black sky. Paulan na naman. A flash of memory entered her mind and she closed her eyes. Her in a pink pajama standing in front of someone she knew too well.

Mapait ang ngiting gumuhit sa bibig niya. It's been three years. Why is she still waiting for an opportunity na mapatawad siya nito? Why is she still waiting na baka may pag asa pa ulit siya? Kung mapapatawad pa siya nito, that's it.

"Ate Al."

"Vin?" Alana looked around and saw that the 19 years old girl in front of her is doesn't have anyone with her.

"Asan mga kapatid mo?"

Alana scratched the back of her head. Vin reminds her so much of Helen but Vin is much more serious than her sister. Those eyes are not flinching kahit sino ang titigan nito. Helen's eyes are more cheerful than Vin is.

"Nauna na sila, Ate."

"Then why are you here?"

Hindi ito agad nakasagot sa sinabi niya. Vin looked at her and looked away. Nakita niya din ang pag higpit ng hawak nito sa bag pack nito.

She closed her eyes for a moment. Bago niya ito titigan. "Let's go. Sumabay ka na sakin. Ihahatid kita."

Vin didn't say a thing. Sumunod lang ito sa kanya nang pumunta siya sa sasakyan niya. Hindi din ito nag salita kahit nakapasok na sa sasakyan niya. She then maneuvered the car out of the municipal building.

Hindi siya kumikibo habang tinatahak nila ang daan patungo sa Brgy. Aguilar ng San Aguinaldo. She knew from the start what Vin wants pero hindi niya ito mabibigyan ng pansin. Ang bata pa nito para sa kanya. Vin may not talk like her sister Helen and she may have Helen's face but Alana knew that she no longer have feelings for Helen. Matagal nang patay si Helen and she owe it to her first love na hindi saktan ang damdamin ng kapatid nito. So she didn't say anything. Aantayin niya na lang na mag sabi sa kanya si Vin.

She entered a familiar subdivision inside San Aguinaldo and Vin perked up from her seat. Sa totoo lang ay halos magkapitbahay lang sila ng mga ito. She wants to stay in San Aguinaldo dahil hindi na siya makabalik sa San Victores. Her father made sure that she couldn't come back. Pero sa totoo lang ay mas gusto niya ngang malayo sa mga ito. No one will tell her what to do. She's free to do what ever she wants. Kahit pa na m miss niya na ang kuya Darius niya.

Speaking of her brothers. Her kuya Nathan is still serving his sentence. At hindi naman nagalit sa kanya ang Kuya Darius niya sa nangyari. He understands that their brother did something wrong and is reaping what he sowed.

"Vin." Alana looked back and Vin was looking at her intensely.

She wetted her lips. Shit. She doesn't want to deal with Vin like this. Mabilis niyang ibinalik ang tingin sa unahan at binuksan na lang ang lock ng sasakyan niya.

"Ate...."

"Yes?"

"W-Wala naman. Thank you sa paghatid."

After saying that, she heard the door opened and Vin got out.

Alana heaved up a breath. She doesn't want to hurt anyone anymore. Kaya nga hindi siya nakikipag relasyon for the past 3 years. Besides, she still loves someone else.

Vin looked at her car one last time bago ito tumalikod. Mrs. Alegre looked at Vin.

"Bakit di mo pinapasok ang Ate Alana mo?"

She didn't hear what Vin said dahil mahina lang iyon. But it seems that what Vin sain pacified her mother. Kumaway na lang sa kanya si Mrs. Alegre. Alana nodded her head with a smile on her face. Parang kapatid lang ang turing niya kay Vin. Sana ay hindi na siya ang gustuhin nito.

Mrs. Alegre waved her hands back and Alana maneuvered the car out of the Alegre household. Tinahak niya ang daan patungo naman sa sarili niyang bahay. She needs to sleep for now. Sumasakit ang ulo niya sa mga problema.

She parked her car on the driveway but then it started raining kaya bigla tuloy siyang napatakbo papasok sa bahay niya. But not before noticing that the lights on the house next to hers is lit up. Kumunot ang noo niya. May bago siyang kapitbahay?