CORDIVILLA: Breathless

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

It was still early when I woke up. Tahimik akong lumabas ng guestroom at nagtungo sa kusina. Hindi na ako nagulat nang madatnan si Kuya Seb at Trean kasama ang kapatid ko na nag-uusap.

It's still four in the morning pero gising na gising na sila. Hindi ko nga alam kung natulog pa ang mga ito dahil sa nangyari kagabi. Austen got off from the island counter when he saw. Bumaling sa akin si Kuya Seb at Trean.

"Ate," saad ni Austen.

"It's still early, Veil. Magpahinga ka muna." Malumanay  na sinabi ni Kuya Trean.

Tipid akong ngumiti at nagsalin ng tubig sa baso. Uminom ako at tiningan sila.

"Don't overthink too much. Huwag mo munang isipin ang nangyari kagabi. Focus on your internship for now. Hayaan mo muna 'yon." Si Kuya Seb.

I breathed and closed my eyes for a while. Ilang oras lang ang tulog ko. It's not even a good sleep for I feel like even in my sleeping hours, my mind is still pondering over the problem.

How am I supposed to stop thinking about it when it's perturbing me too much?

"Hindi mo ba sila nakausap kagabi, Kuya?" Tanong ko kay Kuya Trean.

Trean shook his head and sipped on his coffee. "They were with our parents and I didn't have a chance to confront tita. Mas mabuti na rin 'yon para makapagpalamig muna tayong lahat lalo na ang Mommy mo."

Yumuko ako at tumango na lang. Kung ipipilit kong kausapin si mommy, baka nga mas lumala lang ang sitwasyon. She'd get angrier at me possibly.

I looked at Austen and caught him gazing at me. I heaved a sigh and directed my eyes at him.

"Can I talk to you privately?" tanong ko sa kapatid.

Tumango siya at hinayaan naman kami ng dalawa kong pinsan. We left the room and went to the veranda of the condominium. I shivered a bit when I felt the cold morning breeze. Large skyscrapers and the iridescent city lights greeted my eyes. Halos matanaw ko na ang kabuuan ng Metro Manila.

I closed my eyes for a bit and let the morning breeze embrace me. Just for a while I want everything to be okay or to feel normal. I calmed my breath before opening my eyes again.

"Do not tell Stanford about this matter." Pauna ko at nilingon si Austen na napasulyap sa akin dahil doon.

His forehead wrinkled like he doesn't know what I am talking about. Even though I want to scold him for keeping that a secret from me, I have a more important matter to mind.

"I know what you did behind my back, Austen. I am a bit upset but it doesn't matter anymore. If ever you still communicate with Stanford, do not ever mention this to him." Seryosong sinabi ko.

Tinitigan niya ako at namulsa. Pareho naming nilingon ang tanawin sa harap. The scenery looks so beautiful and comforting.

"About what?" paninigurado niya.

Huminga ako ng malalim at humawak sa bakal na barandilya. Ang magandang tanawin ay hindi nakatulong upang hindi manikip ang aking dibdib.

"The fixed marriage," mahinang tugon ko.

He inhaled violently before facing me.

"Mom is just angry, Veil. Do not take this seriously." Aniya.

Hinarap ko siya at pagod na tinapunan ng tingin. Hindi ko ba 'yan naisip, Austen? I've been thinking all night and even in my sleeping hours!

"Iyon na nga Austen! Mom is still so mad at what I did. And we all know that this is also linked with the tradition of our family." I pointed out.