La Vie en Rose

Chapter 109

GENERAL

December 31. The day was abuzz with activity as everyone immersed themselves in their tasks. The housemaids, endearingly called "angels," moved with purpose, each assigned a specific chore.

In one corner of the house, some were carefully selecting and purchasing ingredients needed for the much-anticipated New Year's feast. Masisipag talaga. Sino ba hindi gaganahan mag linis? Kung pag gising nila may ampao na nasa bawat higaan nila galing kay resia?

Others busily scrubbed and polished every nook and cranny, ensuring the house sparkled with cleanliness. Mukhang kahit yata ang langgam ay madudulas sa sobrang kintab ng tiles nito. A few were occupied organizing Ana's belongings, folding clothes and neatly arranging her things. Meanwhile, another group kept a watchful eye on little Ana, who was joyfully playing, her laughter echoing through the lively household.

Tatlong angels ang bantay ni ana, alam kasi ni alicia kung gaano na ang kakulitan ng kanilang anak. Marunong na rin itong lumakad na walang alalay, kaya lagi itong may knee pads upang hindi masugatan ang kaniyang tuhod.

Resia, however, was caught in a very different rhythm. She was only just heading home from the Senate, her face carrying the weariness of someone who hadn't stopped working. Her trip to the office wasn't leisurely—it involved delivering important documents that demanded her attention.

 As she made her way home, her thoughts lingered on how demanding her role as a senator truly was. The holiday spirit seemed distant, replaced by the relentless responsibilities of her position. For Resia, it felt as though the concept of holidays had long ceased to exist.

Rinig na sa daan ang masasayang tugtugin, maging ang bawat mga sasakyan na kaniyang nakakasalubong ay may mga tugtugin din.

Traffic pa. 

Magbabagong taon na, magbabagong taon na kasama niya si alicia.

Napangiti siya sa isipin na yun. Before, she spent her holidays with her ex fiancee Imarri. Napailing siya. Parang hindi niya matanggap sa sarili niya na that woman became a part of her life. Gusto niyang maduwal sa pandidiri.

"Shocks, iniyakan ko sya?" Natatawa niyang saad sa sarili habang napapailing siya. Masyado yata siyang patay na patay noon kay imarri.

Sabi nga ni alicia sa kaniya, baka hindi naman talaga sya bulag sa pag ibig, baka talagang ginayuma lang siya nito.

That is why when Alicia came into her life, she brought a different kind of happiness to her. Alicia made her realize that she should not be ignored or endure the pain that Imarri had caused her. She showed her that she should not be the only one giving and valuing the relationship they had.

Everything felt new to her. She experienced being valued, being cared for, and being loved genuinely and deeply.

It turns out, she could only experience all of that with Alicia. She made her complete. 

Kaya nga she was devastated nang umalis si alicia at ilang buwan niya itong hindi nakita at hindi niya naramdaman ang presensya nito. Sounds cliche, pero parang hindi niya na kayang magsimula pa ulit noong mawala ito. 

Araw-araw niya itong iniisip at hinahanap.

Wala naman siyang ibang sisisihin dahil siya mismo ang nanakit dito. 

Kaya she took the risk pagkabalik ni alicia. 

Okay lang maging mabagal at matagal, willing siyang maghintay.

Basta umuusad.

Hanggang sa nagkabalikan na ulit sila.

Maya-maya lang ay may kumakatok sa kaniyang window. Nakita niya ang isang bata na madungis, bahagyang magulo ang mahaba nitong buhok at may hawak na sampaguita.