You Are The Reason (Ongoing)

CHAPTER 25

Pumapalakpak si Senyora Elizabeth pagkabalik ni Andrea at Shan sa loob ng mansyon. Nakatanaw pala ito sa kanila kanina, pinapanood siya nito habang binabawi niya si Shan kay Aliyah. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit niya ginawa ang gusto nito, o siguro mas tamang sabihing gusto rin ng puso niya? Nagugustuhan na niya si Shan.
Si Shan naman ay halatang nagtataka dahil sa nakitang reaksyon ng ina nito.

"Mom what's going on? Why are you clapping?" kunot-noong tanong nito.

"Good job Andrea!" imbes na sumagot kay Shan ay sa kanya ito bumaling ng tingin. Para bang proud na proud ito sa kanya. Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi at nakaramdam ng hiya.

"S-senyora—"

"Andrea, I truly admire you, and I would much prefer for you to be the one my son chooses rather than going back to that woman who has only caused him heartache." Bumaling ito ng tingin kay Shan. "Shan, anak sana nagising ka na sa katotohanan. Ayokong masaktan ka ulit. Ang tagal mong nagdusa sa nangyari sayo dahil sa kaniya," malungkot na sabi ng ina nito.

Ngumiti si Shan at kapagkuwan ay umakbay ito sa kaniya.

"Kung bibigyan ako ni Andrea ng pagkataon, hindi ko sasayangin iyon," sabi ni Shan. Tila hinihintay nito ang magiging reaksyon niya. Dapat ba niyang aminin na may pagtingin na rin siya dito? Isinuko niya nga ang sarili kay Shan, hindi pa ba pagmamahal iyon? Pero paano kung masaktan na naman siya? Natatakot na ang puso niya. Kaya nga siya tumakas sa kanila dahil sa sakit, paano kung pati dito ay iyon din ang mangyari?  Natahimik siya at hindi makapagsalita.

"Andrea, are you okay?" tanong ni Shan. Pinilit niyang ngumiti at tumingin din kay Senyora Elizabeth.

"Okay lang ako, Shan. Salamat po Senyora Elizabeth," sabi niya. Ngumiti ito at inanyayahan silang pumasok sa loob. Sabay silang nagtungo ni Shan doon habang tulak-tulak niya ito sa wheelchair.

Pagkapasok nila sa loob ay binuksan ni Shan ang malaking flat screen TV sa grand living room. Gusto raw nitong magpahinga dahil tila napagod daw ito kanina sa mga naganap. Siguro ay naubos ang energy nito sa pagharap kay Aliyah. Kahit siya man ay parang kakapusin ng hangin habang nilalabanan ang tensyon sa pagitan nilang dalawa ng babaeng iyon, pero masaya siya dahil siya ang pinili ni Shan at hindi ito bumalik kay Aliyah.
Hindi niya inaasahan lahat ng nangyayari, lalo pa na mas gusto raw siya ni Senyora Elizabeth para sa anak nito. Ang buong akala niya kasi ay matapobre ito dahil mayaman ito, nagkamali siya. Hindi pala lahat ay ganoon.

Andrea sat between Senyora Elizabeth and Shan, feeling the soft cushions of the grand living room couch sink beneath her. As Shan casually turned on the TV, flipping through channels, she leaned back, expecting nothing more than the usual afternoon chatter.

But the moment the screen came to life, Andrea’s blood ran cold. There, on the screen, was her mother—Alma Guanzon, the legendary actress whose face was known in every household across the country. Dressed in a glamorous outfit, her mother smiled brightly, waving to the audience as the crowd roared in excitement.

“And there she is! The one and only Alma Guanzon!” the host announced, his voice booming through the speakers. “It’s an honor to have you here. Everyone’s been dying to know more about your life outside the spotlight.”

Senyora Elizabeth’s eyes lit up, and she leaned forward. “Oh my, it’s Alma Guanzon! She’s still as beautiful as ever. I’ve watched her since I was young.”

Andrea’s throat tightened as Shan glanced at her, noticing her tense expression. “Hey, Andrea, are you okay?”

She forced a smile, her heart pounding. “O-oo naman, Shan. Ayos lang ako.”

Shan shrugged, turning his attention back to the screen. “She’s a legend, isn’t she? It’s amazing how she still captivates people.”

Andrea’s mother, radiant and confident as ever, responded to the host’s questions. “I’ve been blessed with a long career, but my greatest blessing is my family. I’m so proud of my daughter.”

Andrea clenched her fists, trying to remain composed. Senyora Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with interest. “She has a daughter? I didn’t know that.”

“Neither did I,” Shan added, his tone curious. “Andrea, did you know she had a child?”

Andrea swallowed hard, keeping her expression neutral. “Ah— ahm hindi eh. Hindi ako masyadong fan ng mga artista,” sagot niya.

Senyora Elizabeth nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes. “Hmm, I wonder what her daughter is like. Imagine being the child of someone so famous.”

Andrea bit her lip. She had always kept that part of her life hidden, not wanting to live under the shadow of her mother’s fame. And now, here she was, sitting with people who had no idea she was the daughter Alma was referring to.

Habang nanonood sila ay proud na ipinakilala ng ina niya ang anak na sinasabi nito, nag-expect siya na siya iyon pero nagkamali siya, si Antonette ang lumabas sa TV kasama nito, wala naman kasi siya sa kanila, pero inaasahan na niya na kahit nandoon siya ay hindi pa rin siya ang ipapakilala ng kanilang ina. Hindi naman siya nito paborito at kailan pa ba ito naging proud sa kaniya?
Ngayon lang ginawa ng Mommy niya na ipakilala ang anak sa TV kaya siguradong magiging malaking usapin ito pagkatapos. Baka nga maging artista na rin ang kapatid niya.

"Napakaganda naman pala ng anak mo, Ms. Alma. Hindi nakapagtataka dahil manang-mana siya sayo," sabi ng host. Nakita niyang sagad ang ngiti ng ate niya. Tila proud na proud din ito sa sarili.

"Hija, kung magkakaroon ng pagkakataon nais mo rin bang maging artista katulad ng Mommy mo?" tanong dito ng host.

Antonette flashed a dazzling smile, her eyes twinkling as she tilted her head slightly. "Oh, of course! I mean, who wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of such an iconic and glamorous woman like my mom?" She let out a soft, almost musical laugh before continuing. "Growing up, I always dreamed of being in the spotlight—wearing fabulous gowns, walking red carpets, and hearing the crowd cheer my name. It’s such a magical world, isn’t it? But, you know, it takes more than just a pretty face—it’s about passion and dedication, which I’ve seen from my mom every single day.” She sighed dramatically, batting her lashes. “And if I ever get the chance, why not? I’d love to show the world that I’ve got what it takes too."

Napabuntong-hininga lang siya habang nananatiling nanonood sa ina at kapatid.

“We’ve heard some exciting news, Antoinette,” the host said with a grin. “Rumor has it, you’re engaged!”

Antoinette’s smile widened, and she nodded, her eyes twinkling. “Yes, it’s true! I’m engaged to Arvin De Lara. He proposed a few days ago, and we’re so thrilled about this new chapter in our lives.”

Andrea’s heart dropped. Arvin. The name echoed in her mind, each syllable feeling like a knife. Her vision blurred as she stared at her sister’s face, beaming with joy, unaware of the pain she had just caused.

Engaged na pala ang mga ito? Talaga bang pinatunayan na ng mga ito ang panloloko sa kaniya?
Naging mas masaya pa pala ang mga ito sa paglisan niya.

The man she once loved, who promised her forever, was now engaged to her sister. The betrayal she had long suspected but never confirmed was now laid bare for everyone to see, broadcasted on national TV.

Senyora Elizabeth and Shan exchanged glances, unaware of Andrea’s turmoil. “Wow, what a beautiful announcement,” Senyora Elizabeth said, smiling warmly. “A wedding in the Guanzon family! What a lucky man, this Arvin.”

Andrea struggled to keep her composure, every word from the screen feeling like a punch to the gut. She had left everything behind, thinking she could start anew, only to find that the betrayal ran deeper than she had imagined. The man she once loved had moved on with her own sister, and they hadn’t just moved on—they were about to marry.

With her chest tightening and tears threatening to spill, Andrea forced herself to stand up, clutching her trembling hands together. “Excuse me,” she managed to say, her voice barely holding steady. “M-may aayusin lang ako.”

Before anyone could respond, she rushed out of the room, her heart shattering with each step she took.