[DIALOGUE]
< EVIE'S RESIDENCE. EVENING. >
It's been almost a month since they last spoke to each other.
Jachin hoped to see Evie today. Dala niya ulit ang isang bouquet ng bulaklak.
But he was met with resistance from her stepmother.
Stepmom
Wala siya. At kahit nandito, hindi ka na pwedeng pumasok sa pamamahay ko.
He gritted his teeth. But he kept his composure and tried not to be impolite.
Jachin
Bakit ho?
Stepmom
Pumasok ka nung nakaraan na hindi pinaaalam sa akin. Kung ano ano pang ginawa n'yo ni Evangeline.
Evangeline. Tangina, miss na miss na niya.
Jachin
Sorry po. Pero wala po kaming ginawang masama sa loob. Nagluto lang at kumain.
Jachin
Pati ho ba 'yon bawal din gawin ni Evie?
Stepmom
Lakas din ng loob mong magpakita. Iniwan mo rin naman si Evangline.
Stepmom
Kung sabagay, hindi na ako nagulat. Mana 'yon sa nanay niya.
Jachin couldn't help but scoff.
Jachin
They're still way better than you.
Umamba itong hahampasin si Jachin nang dalang pamaypay but he stood his ground.
Jachin
You're an abuser.
He rarely lost his temper, but this woman had been abusing Evie all her life. Whether it was verbal or physical, he didn't really care.
Jachin
Kung pwede ko lang ho kuhanin si Evie dito, ginawa ko na.
Stepmom
Sige, para magsama kayo.
Stepmom
Tutal, pareho kayong magulo. Kaya sige, kuhanin mo na siya. Tignan natin kung sasama.
Jachin
You want to test that theory? Or baka takot din kayong umalis siya kasi alam n'yo na siya na lang dahilan bakit binibigyan pa kayo ng pera ng tatay niya?
The shock was evident with the way her eyes widened at the accusation.
Jachin gave her a once over. A cigarette on her hand. Disheveled hair. Ragged clothes. Coming home late at night.
It doesn't take a genius to figure it she had multiple vices.
Jachin
If Evie leaves, wala ka nang pang bisyo mo.
He pointed at the cigarette on her hand.
Agad nitong inalis ang kamay at itinago sa likod.
Stepmom
Umalis ka na. Bago ko tawagin ang barangay.
Jachin once again held on to the flowers. He really wanted to give her this.
Jachin
Pwede ho bang ibigay n'yo sa kanya 'to?
Her stepmother didn't speak and her eyes went down to the bouquet he was holding.
Jachin
Just this once.
She scoffed before grabbing the flowers from his hand and closing the door in his face.
He hopes that she would really give it.
Because he missed her too much that he wanted to talk to her. If not to get back together, then to just say sorry.
* * *
#ATSWHIwp
BINABASA MO ANG
as the stars would have it
عاطفيّةAFTER HEARTACHES SERIES #1 Evie Santandes was always the odd girl, and she was fine with it. Between caring for her three cats, all with different personalities, volunteering at a local veterinary clinic, and studying, she doesn't have much time on...
