The Divorce

Chapter 85: The Locket Necklace

Nang makarating sa malaking gate ng Maria Manor sina Samuella, Adrienne, Alfonse at Arya ay kaagad silang hinarang ng isa sa mga guard na naka-duty doon. Magalang itong nagtanong kung may invitation card ba silang dala. Ibinigay naman ni Arya dito ang invitation card na ibinigay mismo sa kanya ng hilaw niyang pinsan. Nakalagay iyon sa puting sobre na halatang gawa sa mababang kalidad.

Kaagad na ibinigay din ni Alfonse ang invitation card niya sa guard. Magkatulad sila ng card ni Arya kaya hindi na nila pinansin ang kulay gintong card na dala-dala ng guard na lumapit sa kanila.

"Dito po kayo Ma'am," magalang na iginiya ng guard ang apat sa isang makipot na pathway.

Napakunot-noo si Adrienne. Hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili na tingnan ang mga dumadaan sa front gate at hayagang pumapasok sa mansyon habang sila ay parang itinatago sa madla.

"What's the meaning of this? Bakit diyan niyo kami pinapadaan?" Samuella asked coldly.

The pathway, typically reserved for the maids' quiet movements during the bustling banquet, felt inappropriate for their entrance. Why would those people want them to use such a lowly route? In her twenty-five years of life, Samuella had never experienced such a blatant disregard for her status. Normally, at every grand occasion in the city, she would be treated as the esteemed guest, the centre of attention amidst the laughter and clinking of glasses. This time, however, it felt as if the very ground beneath her was signalling their insignificance.

Samuella clenched her fist.

"Ma'am, kabilin-bilinan po kase ni Miss Chelsy na ang lahat po ng may invitation na galing sa puting sobre ay diyan dadaan, ang lahat naman ng may mga gold invitation ay sa front gate dadaan,"

"Tsk,"

Adrienne clicked her tongue. Hindi niya pa nakikita ang babaeng may pangalang Chelsy pero gusto na niya itong kalbuhin.

"Ate, ate..." Marahang inalog ni Arya ang kamay ng kanyang ate Samantha. "Hayaan na po natin, may kukunin lang ako sa babaeng 'yun at pagkatapos ay aalis na po tayo. Ang importante naibigay pabalik sa kanila ang invitation card,"

Napakunot-noo si Samuella. Hindi niya gustong tratuhin na parang basahan ang in laws ni Samantha.

"Ate..."

As Samuella looked into Arya's eyes, she saw the guilt there. This made the tension in her body start to fade. The stiff lines of her posture relaxed a little, showing a hint of understanding.

"Okay. We'll do as you say. But after this, whenever someone invited you to their party, huwag na huwag kang tutuloy kung hindi ka rin naman iimbitahang dumaan sa mismong harapan ng bahay nila. Pambabastos ang ginagawa sa'yo ng pinsan mong 'yun," Samuella spoke with a hoarse voice, each word laced with barely contained anger. Her eyes, however, betrayed a deeper emotion-an intense, undisguised resentment that seemed to simmer beneath the surface. She simply couldn't fathom how such unreasonable individuals existed in this City. This incident would be etched in her memory. If Mr. Consunji turned a blind eye to this kind of behavior, she resolved to inform her grandfather, making it clear that a person like him was not worthy of their friendship.

"Heh. Hindi ko lubos akalain na maiimbitahan sa ako isang pagdiriwang sa ganito kababang paraan," sarkastikong wika ni Adrienne.

"Sorry ate Addy," hinging paumanhin ni Arya dito.

"Silly. It's not your fault. I'm sure, pinagti-trip-an niya rin si Alfonse," ani Adrienne sabay kibit ng kanyang magandang balikat.

"How did you know?" Manghang tanong ni Alfonse sa tiyahin.

"Kaseng bagal ba ng pagong ang pag-andar ng utak mo?" Nakataas ang kilay na pinitik ni Adrienne sa noo ang panganay na pamangkin. "Kung hindi ka niya pinagti-trip-an, bakit dito ka din pinadaan? Ibig sabihin lang, she's picking with you both!"