"Tita Esme?" naguguluhang tanong ni Scarlett. "W-wha..." Her chest is moving rapildy up and down, para siyang hinihingal at hindi makahinga. Her eyes squinted, shifting from her mom to my mom, as if searching for answers in their expressions.
"Hija," garalgal na tawag ni Mama sa kaniya, a mix of care and worry evident in her tone.
Miss Aurelia took a step toward Scarlett, but she instinctively stepped back, holding up her hands as if to keep her mom at bay. "No, Mom, don't," Scarlett's voice quivered, her hands forming a barrier as if to block the impending revelation.
"Storm," her mom's voice called out, a plea for understanding, but Scarlett was resolute. She turned and left quickly, her exit heavy with unspoken emotions.
I let out a sigh, my eyes moving between the two women left in the room. Pumasok ako sa loob at nilagpasan si Miss Aurelia to get Scarlett's phone on the table. I clenched my jaw, a mixture of frustration and sympathy coursing through me, as I stopped in front of my mom.
"Sienna," tawag niya sa akin.
"Ma, wala kang dapat sabihin sa akin. I understand," I said, offering her a gentle smile. "Mauna na po ako." With that, I turned to exit the room, but I was halted by Scarlett's mom. Nilingon ko siya.
She locked eyes with me, her question carrying layers of meaning. "You knew?"
I let out a slow exhale, admitting the truth. "Yeah, I knew. My mom told me everything. She's always been that kind of brave," matapang kong sagot.
"And you're going to tell Scarlett?" takot na tanong niya.
Umiling ako dahilan para makahinga siya ng maluwag. "No, I won't be the one to break it to her. That's your job. But if you don't, then I will," tinitigan ko siya sa mata na hindi ko kayang gawin noon.
"Sienna," she called.
Umiling ako bago tuluyang lumabas at habulin si Scarlett.
Naabutan ko siya sa loob ng sasakyan niya sa parking lot. When I got in, nakatulala lang siya sa harap with a creased between her brows. Halata ang pagkagulat at pagkalito sa itsura niya. At naiintindihan ko 'yon. When Mama told me about it, ganito na ganito rin ang itsura ko.
"Scarlett," my voice was soft, an attempt to bridge the gap between us.
Dahan-dahan siyang umiling, ang mga mata ay nasa harap pa rin. "Please tell me that what I'm thinking is not true," her voice is pleading.
I sighed softly. Hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ko ba o hindi dahil hindi ko naman kwento 'yon. All those years, I kept it as a secret. We, my siblings, kept it as a secret. Kaunti lang ang nakakaalam ng bagay na 'yon. Mama bravely tell her story with my siblings after she told me, at hindi maganda ang kinalabasan. Nagtampo sila kay Mama ng ilang linggo, lalo na si Sergio. Sinisi niya si Mama kung bakit hindi umuwi si Papa ng matagal dahil sa nagawa niya.
"Did you know?" Mas lalong lumalim ang pagkakakunot ng noo niya.
Napalunok ako. "Oo."
"Kailan pa? Ginagago niyo ba ako?" Her tone was sharp, a reflection of the pain that cut through her words.
"Scarlett, I found out after we broke up," I admitted honestly.
"And you couldn't even tell me?" Her frustration was evident.
"I hurt you, and you went to France. How could I have said anything?" My tone remained even. "Besides, it's not my place to share."
She scoffed. "You're not going to tell me?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
BINABASA MO ANG
Break Fresh Ground
RomanceScarlett and Artemis are two women from vastly different worlds. Scarlett, born into wealth and privilege, has always had everything she's ever wanted handed to her on a silver platter. She lives in the fast-paced city, surrounded by skyscrapers and...
