She Came Back

Chapter 9

YNA

Hi.

I'm Yna Desiree.

“Desiree.. We need to talk.” Napatigil ako sa kinatatayuan ko. I was about to leave the restroom when I heard Olivia's voice.

I was frozen on my spot.

I know she likes Lemuel so much, even before she first met him. And by that time, Olivia is my step-sister.

Yes. We're family by law.

Nagtataka nga ako minsan eh, napakabait ni Tita. Bakit sya ang sama ng ugali, lalo na sa akin.

And yes, My Dad remarried. My Mom died when I was 12, and I never told that to Lemuel. Ayoko'ng makasagabal pa sa kanya, but somehow he knew about it. Pero ang tungkol sa bagong asawa ni Daddy, ay wala siyang alam.

Tita Perla is a sweet and kind, Step-Mother to me. So kind, she took good care of me at home.

Everytime my Dad and Tita Perla is not looking, Olivia raised her brows at me.

“Just give Lemuel to me, is that hard to understand? Besides, mas bagay kami kesa sa'yo.”

Napayuko lang ako at hinayaan siya magsalita. Hindi ko kaya'ng kontrahin si Olivia, my Mother always told me to be kind to others and just understand them. And I grew up to be like that, I used to fight for my own rights, but that vanished when my Mother died and I live with what she reminded me.

“P-pero Olivia, hindi ko naman mapagsabihan si Lem na layuan ako. Kaibigan ko siya at..”

“I don't care.”

Then she walked out of the restroom and I was staring back at my own reflection.

Tsak naman umalaala sa akin ang palaging sinasabi ni Mommy.

'Be kind to others Yna. Kahit na ang sama nila sa'yo, manatili ka lang na mabait. Hangga't hindi nila tinatapakan ang pagkatao mo, manatili ka'ng magpakumbaba.'

Napabuga nalang ako ng malalim na hininga tsaka na bumalik sa kaibigan ko na naghihintay sa akin sa locker.

**

I took up all my courage as I spoke to him and asked him for coffee. My heart was hammering in my chest as he confessed to me. I really want to tell him what I feel, but Olivia crossed my mind.

But I know what I feel, and I should follow my heart for my happiness this time. Hindi ko muna iisipin ang gusto ni Olivia.

I am smiling ear to ear as he held my hand while we're talking. We're just discussing something random. We knew each other since kinder years, so there's nothing else should be said.

Hey Mom, remember Lemuel? He's my boyfriend now.

We roamed around with his car, we even do the simpliest and weirdest thing to do to kill time.

And as the time, we're parting ways. His grip tighten as he brought me home, with loving gaze I watched as his car was out of my sight again. And a caugh froze me in my spot.

“Having a good time, dear step-sis?”

I composed myself as I face her with a weak smile.

“Nag-usap lang kami.” I lied. Eventhough I really wanted to shout about Lemuel and Me to her, But I'm still a coward.

“Oh, Hija.. Nakauwi ka na pala. Nagkita ba kayo ng kaibigan mo?”