Chapter 26
Stare
I understand his anger.
I understand where he is coming from. He knew nothing, I should tell him the truth but I don't have the courage yet. I'm scared that he might find a reason to hate me, too. And even though I don't like him anymore I don't want him to hate me.
He's the only person who likes me during those times.
"Ikaw?" He scoffed.
I shouldn't be mad at him, right?
His feelings are valid. If he is mad at me, It's okay. He doesn't know the truth.
It's been years since he shouldn't have been chained in the past. Years have passed and he should've moved on, like me.
“Aruna,” Tawag niya. I should face him and tell him the truth. There's no way both will be civil to each other, lalo na’t wala siyang ka-alam-alam sa nangyari sa akin dati. He will continue to resent me! And I don't like that.
“Ano?” Sinubukan kong kumalma.
Tumigil ako at lumingon sa kanya. Malalaki ang hakbang niya at hindi nag tagal nasa harap ko na siya.
“Why are you more broken than me?” The anger was visible in his eyes.
“Don't you see?” Tanong ko. His eyes don't feel safe right now. “You've reached your dreams” Turo ko sa kanya.
Kumunot ang noo niya. “And so? That doesn't make you look more broken, Aruna”
“But I am! Wala kang alam, Aello”
“Then tell me! Hindi mo alam kung ilang araw kitang hinintay, I refuse to believe what they said! Hindi ako naniniwala sa kanila. You don't have other men, you're better than that, hindi mo ako lolokohin, but why did you leave? why didn't you stop by my house?” Masakit ang tingin na ginawad niya sa akin. Lumunok ako.
“I don't have much time to bid my goodbye to you, Aello” Bulong ko.
“Much time?” Umiling-iling siya. “I waited like a fucking dog for a month! No! Years! Aruna” He growled.
“Aello, please, let's calm down…”
“Aello… Aruna” Malakas na paghinga ang pinakawalan ko. “Inulan kayo?” Nanay Nelma’s voice was laced with concern. “Pumasok na kayo ano pa ang ginagawa niyo riyan?”
Aello stared at me for a few seconds before walking passed me.
The rain poured much harder. I feel like I don't have strength left in my body. Kung hindi umuulan baka nakatayo lang ako ngayon at hindi makagalaw.
I dragged myself to enter the open double door of the orphanage.
“Kumusta ang hunting?” Joseph asked when he entered the living area.
“Okay, lang…”
“Inabot ka ng ulan?” Basa ang sleeves ko, oh.
Tumango ako at hindi sumagot.
“Okay, lang?” Lumapit siya sa akin. Ang kulang kayumanggi niyang kamay ay lumapit sa noo ko.
Slowly, I felt his palm touch my forehead. Sakto namang lumabas si Aello galing sa office ni Nanay Nelma. My breathing hitched when our eyes met. Lumipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin ni Joseph.
“Medyo mainit ka” Joseph announced. “Mag pahinga ka na muna, ako na bahala sa mga bata”
Umiling ako. “Okay lang ako”
BINABASA MO ANG
SUN SHOWER (Butterfly Sanctuary series 1)
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