Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Rest

I have no other words to describe our house right now but Alaska. It's cold, and even in the morning when the sun is up and scorching, the coldness is still evident.

They're still disappointed even though I already agreed to their terms. Na pagkatapos ng sem ay lilipad ako papuntang ibang bansa. At natapos na ang sem pero hindi pa rin ako nakakaalis. Wala pa akong nasasabing petsa sa kanila. They probably think I'm backing out of our agreement.

"You sure you're really going to study abroad? Parang gusto ko rin tuloy sumunod."

Kasama ko si Ashanti sa dalampasigan. Nasa resthouse kami kasama sina Alanis at Kuya Azriel. Ang ibang mga pinsan namin ay narito rin.

I sighed then nodded. Pababa na ang araw at sumasabay sa paggalaw nito ang puso ko. It's sinking because of the realization that I really have to leave the love of my life.

I only wanted to buy some time; that's why I agreed to my father's terms. Gusto kong makita kung magbabago ba ang tingin ng mga tao sa amin. I also wanted to know if Rejo's situation would get back to normal.

But no.

Some days are worse, and no days are better for us. It's always rain after rain, and never rainbows after storms. It's always thunder, not the sound of chirping birds. It never got better.

Marinelle's family never stopped talking about the issue. They don't want it to subside, so it's still always the talk of the town. And honestly... I'm getting sick of it. It's tiring and draining.

I realized... some people would never allow you to be happy and better, especially if they can't. Gusto nila na kung nasa baba sila at nalulugmok, dapat gano'n ka rin.

"Alanis is so clueless. She's probably carrying a lot of things right now..." Si Ashanti pa rin. "It's a good thing she doesn't know about the things we're going through. Para hindi na dumagdag..."

I sighed but still agreed with my cousin. She's been through so much worse than our challenges. Okay lang na sa buhay n'ya na muna siya mag-focus. Buti na lang din wala siyang gaanong pakialam sa paligid n'ya. It's a miracle news is not escalating around her.

I sighed and looked at the lovebirds. Nasa iisang jetski lang si Alanis at Azriel. They looked so tranquil and in love. How lucky they are because they're accepted by their families. Pinagkasundo pa nga sila.

"Anyway, final na ba talaga? Kailan ka aalis?"

"This week."

"Seriously?!" Tumaas ang boses n'ya. "Hiraya, are you fucking serious? Bakit biglaan?!"

Nilaro ko ang mga sand sa paa ko. "Biglaan? Overdue na nga. I was supposed to leave last month." Hindi ko lang magawa dahil ang hirap bitiwan ni Rejo.

"You'll really leave him alone?" Hindi makapaniwala ang pinsan ko sa pinal na desisyon ko.

Tumango ako.

Kailangan. I realized that my family's judgment really makes sense. They are right all along.

"Sa tingin mo papayag 'yon? Baka sumunod lang 'yon sa'yo. Rejo is so damn in love with you! He even surrendered everything he has just to fight for you and prove a point..." The way Ashanti said those things broke my heart. Parang tinutusok ang puso ko ng isang daang karayom. "Girl, he would never let you leave him. I swear!"

"I'm confident he would," sabi ko galing sa malalim na paghinga.

Umiling siya at umirap. "He loves you fucking much he's willing to face hell to save what you two have! Hindi 'yon papayag!"