Monster's Pet (Phoenix #2)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - Good Girl 2.0

Matapos kong ikuwento ang talambuhay ko kay Sumner, kinabukasan din ay nagpasama ako sa kanya na bisitahin si mama. Ang tagal ko na pala siyang hindi napupuntahan. She might think I've forgotten her...

"Never kitang kinalimutan, Ma." I say to her tombstone, imagining she was still with me. Wherever she is I know she's listening. "Never... I just don't want to think about you too much dahil tuwing naiisip kita, nalulungkot ako... at lalo kitang name-miss... Pero hindi kita kinalimutan Ma, ha? Huwag ka sanang magtampo... I hope you're happy Ma... I love you... and I miss you so much."

Tumingala ako para pigilan ang pagtulo ng luha. I'm being a crybaby again. Nakakailang iyak na ba 'ko ngayon linggo pa lang?

"I'm sure your mom wants you to be happy too, Charlotte." Sumner lightly claps a hand on my shoulder. "Are you happy?"

Hindi ako sumagot. Tumunog naman ang phone ko. Tumatawag si Papa. I reject the call bago muling ibinulsa ang gadget.

"They love you, you know. And they truly care for you."

I know, but I don't say it out loud. Yumuko lang ako.

I'm out of words. Tagos sa isip at puso ko ang sinabi niya. Bwisit na halimaw 'to, kapag siya ang nagsasabi sakin ng mga bagay-bagay parang ang daling tanggapin ng lahat.

I think about my mom.

Will she be happy if she sees me like this?

Kahit noong buhay pa si Mama, hindi ko naman siya kinakitaan ng galit kay Papa o kahit pa kay Evil Step Mom. She was sad yes, but she was never angry. Masyado kasing mabait ang mama ko... masyadong sobra kung magmahal.

Sumner softly ruffles my hair, "Don't be too hard on them, Charlotte. And most importantly, don't be too hard on yourself."

After I say goodbye to mom, we drive for another hour. Sunod naming pinuntahan si Autumn.

Mataman kong tinitigan ang halimaw.

His eyes are still longing, but they aren't as sad as when we first came here. When he smiles, it's genuine.

Sumner is happy.

I look up at the sky, close my eyes and smile as well.

Mission accomplished, Autumn.

"Thank you!" she smiles widely.

Hindi na ko nagulat nang makita ko siya. She's sitting on top of her headstone, at gaya ng dati, her voice sounds like an echo. She's still hazy and transparent gaya ng mga multo sa TV, pero hindi na ko nakaramdam ng takot ngayon. I'd probably be scared if she isn't though.

"I knew I've come to the right person, it's you who can make him smile like that again! Thank you Charlie... and oh! You don't have to worry about your mom. She's happy... and she told me to tell you this: Suklian mo ang pagmamahal na binibigay sa'yo ng mga taong nagmamahal sayo. She didn't mean to leave you alone, but she loves you very much, Charlotte and she's very proud of you."

Autumn pulls herself up from the headstone and leans down to place a kiss on my forehead.

"Please take care of my brother... and tell him I forgive him."