Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 37 - The Aftermath

Days had passed since her last encounter with Gareth. But still, the pain in her heart was unbearable. She was mad at Gareth for thinking the worst of her. She was mad at him because he didn’t believe her. But most of all, she was mad at herself for letting him do that to her for the second time.

They said that one is enough and two is too much. But it seemed that she didn’t know when to just give up. Inakala talaga niyang may pag-asa pa pagitan nilang dalawa. But she was wrong.

Isa siyang malaking tanga. She thought that she toughened herself up already, that she had changed for the better, na makakaya na niya itong tuluyang kalimutan. But sje was still the same girl from five years ago, because with just a flick of a finger, she had completely fallen for that same wretched man who hurt her.

She curled herself in a ball. Ilang araw na na ring walang patid ang pagdaloy ng kanyang mga luha. Her heart bled in agony as her mind replayed his hurtful words towards her. And what about her locket? Iyon lamang ang natitirang ala-ala ng ina. At ngayon ay wala na rin ito.

Gareth was like a poison to her. Alam na niya iyon. But she still couldn’t help herself but to taste that poison once more.

She was a colossal fool. A stupid woman in the highest degree. Hindi na siya nagtanda.

Iyon ang naabutang tagpo ng kanyang anak nang bigla itong pumasok sa kanyang silid.

“Mom, are you okay?” she said her. Masuyo nitong pinunasan ang rumaragasang luha niya gamit ang maliliit na kamay nito.

“Why are you crying?” she wonderingly said.

She sobbed. Mariin niyang tinitigan ang anak. Kylie had been her treasure for the past five years. Ito ang naging dahilan para siya ay magsikap. She was her world. She loved her daughter very much that she was willing to sacrifice everything for her.

“Mom is just sad, Kylie.”

Tumango-tango ito. She then started to make funny faces in front of her.

“Why are you doing?” she cannot help herself but to ask.

“I am making you laugh mom,” she said while sticking her tongue out.

In all fairness to her daughter, she really did entertain her. Her funny face gave a simple but genuine smile on her lips.

“Halika ka nga dito.”

Agad niyang kinulong sa kanyang mga bisig ang anak.

“At sino naman ang nagturo niyan sa ‘yo?” she said as she inhale her sweet powdery sent.

“Tristan!” she gleefully said.

Si Tristan? Wala naman siyang naaalalang may ganitong pinag-usapan ang dalawa noong huli silang magkita. At isapa, Tristan only met her once.

“How did he said that to you?”

“Tristan calls me every day, mom.”

Another question mark popped in her mind.

“I am actually the one who called Tristan first. Binigay niya po ang number niya sa akin. I have Merryna dial it for me.”

Again. Why?

“Why’d you call him?”

“Well… during the last time, he said that you’re his best friend. And that should I ever miss you, I should just call him. He’ll give me updates on you, while you are working,” she genuinely said, her dimples now evident as she spoke with a very cute smile on her place.

“Why didn’t you just call me? You always know that I’ll find time for you.”

“I don’t want to disturb you mom. And besides, Tristan tells me about different stories.”