Safe Havens

17

A month later, Irene is already discharged from the Hospital. The Arañeta were trying to rebuild the life of Atara while leaving the one behind.

It is a very good morning for the Arañeta household and it has always been good since Atara accepted the offer - to be her Mom's personal care and decided to stay in their house.

"Mama gamot mo po, tsaka yung errands mo po sa araw na to is may doctor's appointment then nagpa book po si papa ng dinner saating apat"

Atara is trying to learn the way of her biological family. It may take time but she's trying to cope up with her new environment.

"Thank you ate. Also, do you want to shop ba? Perhaps  you could come with me. May bibilhin lang ako" Irene is learning to love Atara as she cope up with her heart failure. She after all is not hard to be loved.

"Pero mom diba you told me na it was supposed to be our shopping date ngayon as your pambawi for not coming sa recital ko?" Sheehan asked from upstairs, she heard what her mother offered to her ate.

Sheehan may be kind but she is territorial when it comes to her parents. She loved them too much and isnt used to of having someone to share.

"But my love ngayon lang natin makakasama ang ate mo, let her experience of being shopped by me naman, anak. We will still be going pero kasama na ang ate mo"

Irene tried to understand Sheehan. Ever since she knew that Atara is her sibling and will be living in the house, she changed. She've been quiet and authoritative.

"Ay ayoko na lang mag mall, mommy. May sampid din palang sasama" pagdadabog nito habang paakyat sa hagdanan. Napasapo na lang si Irene sa asta ng anak nya. Hindi sya pwedeng magalit kasi bawal sakanya.

"Ma, ako na po. Magbihis kana sa taas. Aalis po kayo ni sheehan tapos sa clinic ni doc na lang po tayo magkita"

Atara, her selfless attitude will always prevail. Martyr kung martyr pero ayaw nyang makita na nasasaktan ang Ina.

"She, alam kong nakikinig ka. Sabi ng mommy mo aalis daw kayong dalawa sa mall, naghihintay lang sa sa baba ha para makakaalis na kayo"  atara said while leaning her head in sheehan's door. Shehan didnt answered so she just left and went back to her room.

Minutes later, she heard a car honks. It was her mom's car, aalis na sila.

Atara is left alone again, she's in her room - the guest room. Her eyes were strolling at the blank walls and empty corners of the room. It reflected as if it was her, alone and always been lonely.

Tara made herself busy cleaning the room and preparing herself to go to the clinic for her Mother's check-up. For weeks she had been staying in their house, she never felt like it was her house.

She felt empty.

Her phone rang and it was ciarra so she excitedly answered it.

"Baklaa diba naghahap ka ng bagong mauupahan na malapit sa bahay nila ms irene? Oh so ito na nga may katrabaho kaming nagbedspace malapit lang jan, pwedeng lakarin. Baka gusto mo"

"Ayan gusto ko sayo talaga, mabilis makahanap ng paraan, magkano daw?

"Ayon na nga 2,500 pero keri na yun diba kesa sa makakasama mo si hello kitty araw araw tsaka hindi ka pwedeng mag hindi confirm na yun para sayo, pwede kana matulog dun ngayon sige babush!"

Baklang to talaga, pero papaano ko sasabihin kina mama na may nakita akong bagong bahay pero bahala na ililipat ko na lang muna ang gamit ko sa sinasabi ni cianne

"Manang aalis ho muna ako ha" pagpapaalam ko sa mayordoma nila mama. Dala dala ko ang buong gamit ko papuntang bahay na uupahan ko.

"Sige po." Pagtatakang sagot ng mayor doma. Sino ba naman ang hindi magtataka kung ang laki ng bag na dinala ko.

Atara just left her bag at her bedspace and left immediately to went to the clinic. When she arrived there, she saw Irene, alone, sitting at the couch.

"Ma, ikaw lang po?" She approached her mom playing something in her phone.

"Ah yes ate, sheehan decided na magpaiwan sa mall"

I just nodded from what she said. Wala din naman kasi akong gustong sabihin sakanya.

The check up went well and we are on our way to the restaurant for a dinner.

"Ate, shrimp pa rin yung sayo?" Greggy asked her daughter looking at the menu.

Atara just smiled lightly to signal her yes.

When the foods are served, the Arañetas were having random talks except Atara. She didn't know them, they know nothing about the family other than they was her boss.

"Ay ma, pa. Mauna na po pala ako. May kaibigan kasi akong nagpa house blessing tapos gusto nya na matulog ang buong barkada sa bahay nila" Atara excused herself, lying. She just wants to get out from the picture.

Greggy looked at her, confusedly, " you are going to sleep at your friend's house tonight?"

"Is it safe for her ba love? Let her bring our guard kaya" Irene told greggy, she wanted her to be protected.

"Ay oo po sana pero po kaya ko naman mag-isa tsaka safe po sakanila tapos malapit lang naman po, sa qiapo lang."  I smiled but mama insisted on bringing me one of her guards which i declined once again.

"Hmpf, paimportante talaga" Sheehan lowly said but strong to be heard by me and papa.

"She your words!" He reprimanded her but di nya ito pinapansin.

Finally, nakaalis ako ng mapayapa na walang guardya o driver na nakabuntot saakin. Di naman talaga ako matutulog sa bahay nila kung hindi uuwi ako sa bago kong bedspace. Nagsisinungaling lang ako kasi hindi ko alam pano sasabihin.

When the couple arrived home, nadatnan nila ang maid na naglilinis ng guest room kaya sisililin sana ni Irene para magplano sana kung papaano ito gawin kuwarto ng anak nya.

"Oh manaang gising kapa? Bukas na ho yan hindi ho uuwi si Tara" Irene told the maid.

"San na ho titira Tara maam?"

"Dito parin po icoconvert lang ho to para magin kuwarto nya"

"Ay talaga po? Akala po namin kasi aalis na yung dalaga kasi dala nya kanina ang buong gamit nya nung umalis ng bahay. Sige ho, bukas ko na ho to gagawin. Gudnayt maam"

Irene panicked from what she heard. What if her daughter did not really went to her friend's house but left alrrady. She tried to call Atara's phone but it's unattended that made her overthink.

Greggy found her wife sobbing, trying to call someone from the phone again and again. "Love what's the matter? Bakit ka umiiyak?"

"Greggy yung anak mo naglayas! Hindi na sinasagot ang tawag ko" Irene cried uncontrollably. Hindi sya mapakali.

Sheehan on the other hand heard what her mom said. She messaged Atara to tell her that mom prefer want Atara to be out in the house if only it is Irene's way.

. . . . . . . . . . .
Shot puno sayo, Sheehan
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