MARRY YOU, NOT

Chapter 37 - Moving Forward

Andrea’s P.O.V.

I walked out of the campus. Sumakay na lang ako ng tricycle at magpapahatid na lang ako sa bahay. Walang tigil sa pagtulo ang mga luha ko.

I can’t believe it! I really can’t believe it!

Ngayon malinaw na sa akin. Hindi niya ako mahal. Maybe, he is just obliged to love me back, dahil mahal na mahal ko siya. Dahil sobrang expressive ako sa pagmamahal ko sa kanya noon. I mean, hanggang ngayon.

“Anak, kamusta --” si Mama ang bumungad sa akin pagdating ko ng bahay. Katabi nito sila Edward at Mimi na nasa sala at nagmemeryenda.

“Mamaya na po tayo mag-usap, Ma. Masakit po ang ulo ko.” Tuloy-tuloy akong umakyat sa kuwarto ko. “Excuse me, guys. By the way, we will be heading back to Manila tomorrow.” Sabi ko naman sa dalawa.

“But, I thought we are here for a vacation? Sayang naman kung hindi natin susulitin.” Si Edward iyon.

“We will go back to Manila tomorrow. That’s my decision.” Madiin kong sagot.

“Oh, here you are again. We know for a fact that you are our superior, pero, can you also respect that we want to get a break, Stella?” Edward said with an emphasis.

I stared at him for awhile. “Okay, if that’s the case, enjoy your vacation yourselves, but I am heading back to Manila tomorrow.” Then I passed by them and walked upstairs.

Yeah, I am getting insensitive because of that jerk. Pati tuloy sila Mimi at Edward nadadamay. I laid lazily on my bed when I heared a soft knock. Si Mama iyon.

“Mama? Sorry po sobrang masakit lang po ang ulo ko.”

“Anak, pwede naman natin pag-usapan iyan. Pero, hindi ko maalalang itinuro namin sa iyo ng Papa mo na maging bastos ka sa mga bisita mo. Kahit pa sabihin mong mga tauhan mo pa sila.” Mama sounded harsh. Sabagay my point naman talaga siya.

“Sorry, Mama.”

“Andrea, ano ang nangyari sa lakad ninyo ni Chris?” Tanong niya.

Right on the cue, bigla na namang tumulo ang luha ko. Nagtataka naman si Mama.

“Bakit? Hindi pa ba kayo nagkalinawan?”

I looked at her annoyed. Seriously, ine-expect niya na magkakaayos kami after his confession to me? Duh! Anong pinakain ng manloloko na iyon sa ina ko?

“Mama, can’t you see? Niloko niya ako. Ipinagpalit niya ako for that stupid utang na loob? It is so insensible saying those to me. He only proved that I was never became important to him. That he had never loved me.” Maigting kong paliwanag kay Mama.

“Anak, I thought mahal mo pa siya. Kaya ako pumayag na makapag-usap kayo. You are waiting for this moment di ba? Pero bakit ganyan ang reaction mo? Hindi ka ba natutuwa na once and for all, Chris admitted all the things that he had done. He took the risk even he is also expecting that you wont believe him?”

Napamaang ako sa sinasabi ni Mama.

“Andrea, you have to let go of the past and start moving forward. I understand na masakit ang mga nangyari sa iyo. But I know, deep in your heart, mahal mo pa din si Chris. I know you want to give it a try for another chance. Another chance to be loved by him, and another chance to fulfill those promises.”

She held my hand, and more that my tears flowed.

“No matter what happens, Anak andito lang kami ng Papa mo. All those years, we are wishing for your hapiness. You have lived miserably, Anak. Pride lng ang umiiral sa iyo. Pag-isipan mo muna. Kung sa tingin mo, wala ng ni katiting na pagmamahal para kay Chris, diyan sa puso mo, then by all means. Stop hurting yourself like this.” At niyakap ako ni Mama.