Wicked Her

Kabanata 65

"So how are you hija?" Tanong nito sa akin habang inaayos ang tissue nya.

Napalunok ako bago sumagot.

We're on a private room in some sort of a expensive restaurant.

"Im doing fine naman po." Saad ko. Ngumiti sya ng kaunti.

"Still a princess?" Tanong nya. Ngumiti ako at nagpunas ng labi.

"I can't be a princess without a castle maam." Saad ko. "I'm trying my best to get back the mansion." Saad ko ng may ngiti sa labi. Her smile turn into a plastic one.

"I don't know na ganon pala ka kapal ang mukha mo hija." She said making me caught off guard. She look at Nealle.

"P-po?" Gulat na tanong ko.

"Ma!" Nealle said which a dangerous tone.

"I mean.. Bigla ka nalang umalis pagkatapos mong makuha ang gusto mo, tapos babalik ka ulit dahil may gusto ka ulit na makuha?" Ngumisi si tita Lydia. My heart breaks.

She doesn't like me anymore. I felt disappointed, not to her but to myself. Things change, people change, lalo na kapag may nagawa ka sa kanila.

"Mama stop." Bulong ni Nealle sa tabi ko.

"No Nealle let her feel guilt." Bumaling sa akin si tita at ngumiti. "Princess, I mean runaway princess.." Kumunot ang noo ko. "What do you need from my son now?" Napatingin ako kay Nealle na gulong-gulong.

Does she know? Alam nya bang ginamit ko si Nealle noon para masaktan si Emily?

Oh God!

Pinagdikit ko ang dalawang kamay ko na namamawis.

"I-i was s-so young back t-then, napuno ako ng galit ko kay Emily." Paliwanag ko. Ngumisi lang si tita.

"I thought you do really like my son back then." Balik nya sa akin.

"Mama please." Bulong ni Nealle.

"I-i do like your son back then---"

"Pero bakit mo sya iniwan sa gabi ng engagement party nyo?" Natigil ako.

It's like my world slowed. Dahan-dahan akong napatingin kay Nealle. Now he looks icy.

It was my egagement party with Nealle?

Umiling ako, umiling ako, umiling ako ng umiling at nilagay ang kamay sa mesa.

"No!" Saad ko na medyo napalakas. "It was Emily and Nealle's egagement party!" I said frustratedly. Ngumisi naman si tita Lydia at sumandal sa upuan nya.

"Paano mong malalaman eh tinakbuhan mo ang anak ko pagkatapos mo syang gamitin para sa pangsariling kaligayahan?" I felt my heart crack. Is this happening? Is this really happening to me?

"B-but.." Napayuko ako.

"Now you are back?" Ngumisi si Tita. "Do you want to marry my son now?" Hindi ako umimik. Tumayo si Nealle at hinila ako.

"Mauna na kami ma, may shoot p--"

"Do you want to marry him so you'll get your mansion back?" Natigil ako at hinila pabalik ang sarili at hinarap si Tita Lydia. "What hija? Sa tingin mo hindi ko alam ang plano mo?" Natawa sya. "Old habbits die hard, is it?" Tanong nya. I remember how tender is her eyes for me before. She was like a mother, yes she may not be kind to others but she is kind to me. "Before you flight back here in Philippinse you already know that your mansion is sold to Nealle, kaya sya ang inapproach mo. You want to use him again, para makuha ang pansarili mong kaligayahan." Walang emosyong saad ni tita.

Natigil ako at napayuko.

Not true.

Ni hindi ko nga alam na si Nealle na pala ang may ari ng mansion.

But, I cant deny it, I am using Nealle again, but I dont know that Nealle owns the mansion now. And I dont plan on marrying him. I wont marry him.

Isang luha ang pumatak, hanggang sa magsunod-sunod na ito. I can't stop it. Despite of my rough attitude my tears is still shallow.

"Im leaving." Tita Lydia said coldly. He kissed Nealle on his cheeks before looking at me with so much disgust. Then she left sighing.

Umupo naman si Nealle sa tabi ko at hinagod ang likod ko.

"Im sorry, mom was always like that.. you know her." His hand grab mine. "She's just mad, maglalaho rin ang galit nya."

Oh damn it!