Play of Fate [COMPLETED]

Chapter 12

"Hey." Jerald said.

Maine stared at her reflection in the water as she swings her legs back and forth, making swirls. She went straight to their pool area and sat at the pool side when they arrived. She hasn't said a single word, have not looked at her brother who just followed her when she ran to the garage, who drove in silence and who've sat with her for maybe 2 hours already, letting her be in silence.

"Meng." He again said, turning to her direction.

"People tell me I'm smart. That they admire me for being an achiever both in my academics and extra-curricular. They tell me, they envy me because I know how to choose and balance my choices. There are days when I feel overwhelmed and thank them for saying such nice words, but there are days when I just want to laugh out loud and ask them what the hell are they talking about. But then, naiisip ko, they don't know what's really happening. What they know about me is based on what I let them see - what I let you see. When my Dad died, I felt like my heart died too. I was just waiting for it to stop beating, I was anticipating my last breath. I was ready to go because I had no idea how I can survive so much pain. I was so young then, I was just 5, but I already see my life ending. I didn't have anybody because Mom was suffering too. I couldn't sleep well because I was always having nightmares about my Dad. I needed Mom to be there for me, I needed her hug, I needed her comfort, I needed her to tell me that everything's going to be okay, but that never happened. At a young age, I learned how to be independent, I learned how to cope up with my emotions, I learned to isolate myself from everybody else. I thought I was fine, that I was back to being the jolly, energetic young girl that I am before Dad died. Akala ko okay na ako. But I realized I wasn't at all when Mom introduced you to me."

"Alam mo ba, Je, I didn't like you and Papa the first time I met you. I was happy Mom was happy because of you two, but that didn't make me want to welcome you in our lives. Kasi, you see, when it was just the two of us, I could barely feel na she was there, na I still have a mom kasi nga she was broken, she couldn't even take care of herself, more so take care of her daughter. I was jealous because it took a man whom she met months ago to make her smile, to make her be alive again, samantalang ako na kahit 8 years old pa lang, inaalagan na siya, hindi niya makuhang tignan sa mata. Ang unfair 'di ba. I wanted to lash out at you for being so nice to me, I wanted to hate Papa for trying to fill in Dad's shoes, I wanted you both out of our lives the moment I laid my eyes on you but I didn't want to be selfish. I've longed to see Mom smile again, kaya kahit napabayaan niya ako and never niya nabigay sa'kin 'yung atensiyon na pinapakita niya sa'yo, I didn't voice out my protest. Pinabayaan ko lang, because as long as she's happy, I'll be fine."

"I never thought I'd see you as my brother. I never even thought I would ever like you. But you grew on me eventually. You being so nice, caring, and protective got me. Galing mo manligaw e. Even when you were shamelessly bullying me kahit hindi tayo close, it worked on me. And you know what, as gross and as dramatic this may sound, you and Papa helped heal my heart. I don't know what good deed I did in my past life but I was lucky enough to have a father again. 3 years of missing my Dad made me forget what it feels like to have one. Papa loved me as if I was his own. And you, you made me smile again. You gave me the attention I wanted from Mom. You became the strong wall that I always dreamed of having. I moved from the black hole I kept myself in because of you."

"But, you know what, despite the change you and Papa brought to our lives, my heart didn't heal fully. The other half remained dead, and I honestly thought it will stay like that until I die. And then RJ happened. Your bestfriend happened."