Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 35

Chapter 35

I was not supposed to keep Celesta with the Ronouas. The police will eventually follow the leads and in no time, they can arrest my sister. Sadyang nauna lang mag-imbestiga ang team nila Castiel.

No matter how painful and offended her words were when we talked, she's still my older sister and I have to plan on detaining her. I was about to talk to the team when they received a call from my Dad.

Dad promised that he will take care of everything. The Ronouas were waiting for my decision. At katulad ng gusto ni Daddy, mas gusto ko rin na maayos namin ito bago pa umabot sa pulis. Dahil kung ako lang rin ang papililiin, ayokong makulong siya. Dad's punishment might be enough for her tail to be tamed.

Pero hindi lang sa akin ang desisyon. There were people affected by her schemes and if they seek justice, I am sure Rohen will do everything to prevail it. Kahit kapatid ko pa iyon. O kahit makiusap ako sa kanya. Hindi magiging madali.

But that's what I expected. Especially from him. He loves the people of Astalier so much. He went through holes and dug so deep for this investigation to end. When he said he'll haunt the mastermind down, I know... he will not stop until there's justice.

Kaya nang marinig ko ang sagot galing sa kanya, bago pakawalan ang kapatid ko ay tuluyang nagpawindang sa akin ng gabing iyon.

"Let Cali decide. Her decision is also mine's." iyon ang sinagot niya.

I couldn't believe him. Bakit dinepende niya sa akin lahat ng desisyon? Siya nga itong naghirap para sa imbestigasyon na ito. Even though he said that one of his reason is to protect me... what about the innocent people who were affected and accused?

I massaged my temple because I cannot believe where I am right now. Yesterday I almost faced one of the destructive part of my life. My family and my relationship. Pakiramdam ko huminto na ang mundo ko. Na tumigil na lahat at hindi ko alam kung paano aayusin ang gusot na ginawa ng kapatid ko. Ni hindi ko alam paano ako haharap kay Rohen. Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ang lahat hanggang ngayon.

What happened was too much for me to process and now... I shook my head in disbelief. I can't understand Dad at all.

"I was so thrilled when I heard that you stayed in Manila for days. Naghihintay talaga ako ng ganitong pagkakataon para makasama kayo." magaan na sambit ni Daddy sa harap ng mag-asawang Astalier.

Tito Alexandro put his glass down and nodded. "Pleasure to meet you too, Atty. Monteves. You're right, that we already should see each other more often. Especially with our kids..." bumaling ito ng sulyap sa amin ni Rohen. "Are in a good relationship." patuloy nito.

Napatuwid ako ng upo sa narinig.

I silently darted my eyes on Rohen who's sitting in front of me. Beside his mother. He's eating his steak peacefully like nothing happened yesterday, and he was not shocked with what's happening right now.

Dad called me earlier when I woke up. Akala ko tungkol kay Ate Celesta ang pag-uusapan kaya pumayag akong makipagkita. But turns out we'll be having a lunch with the Rohen's parents.

Hindi ko alam paano nangyari ito lahat. I was so preoccupied with the little misunderstanding between me and Rohen. My work. And the Ate Celesta being the mastermind. I had no time to figure out that Dad has this kind of plan. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang pinaplano niya ngayon.

Nitong mga nakaraang buwan lang, ni hindi niya matago na ayaw niya kay Rohen. Pero ngayon, nagawa niya pang kitain ang mga magulang nito.

Ngayon palang... parang hindi ko na magugustuhan ang mangyayari.