[COMPLETED] My Sister's Keeper

Book 2 - Chapter 1

"Love, I'll wait for you."

Ang sarap marinig ang malamyos na tinig na iyon.

"I love you Donato Antonio Cojuangco. I've loved you since I was 10."

Parang musika sa kanyang pandinig ang mga inusal na kataga ng dalaga.

"Goodbye love...."

Then the scenery changed. They were at the top of a building. She was gazing sadly at him. There were tears in her eyes she extended her hand to him. Her feet inches away from death. "Goodbye, Kuya."

Tinakbo niya ang espasyo sa pagitan nila upang pigilan ito. But he's too late. She jumped and all he could see is her body free falling and crashing into the hard pavement below.

"No! No! Baby! No!"

Naalimpungatan siya sa masamang panaginip. Pawisan kahit malakas ang aircon sa silid. It's the same nightmare that has been haunting him for three years. Paulit-ulit pinapaala sa kanya ng bangungot na iyon ang nakaraan.

He got distracted when his mobile phone suddenly rang. He glimpsed at the clock in the bedside table. It's only 5am! Tinitingnan niya kung sino ang tumatawag. It's his Mom.

"Hello, Ma." He greeted her blandly.

"I miss you anak. How are you doing there in Tokyo?" Malambing na bungad nito sa kanya.

"I'm fine Ma. It's 4am there in the Philippines. Ang aga niyo namang napatawag." He tried so hard for the last 3 years to remain respectful and civil to his mother for the sake of their family.

"Hindi ako makatulog. Excited lang ako kasi today is the first day of your exhibit. Kung hindi ko lang kailangang asikasuhin ang hacienda at Papa mo, I will join you there."

He sighed. So much has happened in three years. Minsan ay naaawa siya sa ina kahit deep inside ay sinisisi niya ito sa nangyari kay Shar. Ang ina ang naiwang namahala sa mga negosyo nila at patuloy na nag-aaruga sa ama dahil naka-coma pa din ito. Not a day passed na hinihiling niyang gumising na ang ama.

He left them. Iniwan niya ang pangalang Cojuangco. Iniwan niya ang responsibilidad na pamahalaan ang mga negosyo nila.

"If you still want me to remain your son, then let me be."

Alam niyang labis niyang nasaktan ang ina nang nagdesisyon siyang iwan ang pamilya nila. He knew that he was needed most at that time. But he left. Because he was angry. And if he chose to stay, God knows, kung anong magawa niya sa mga magulang niya lalo na sa ina. He might've spent his days reminding his Mom how much he hated her if he chose to stay in the hacienda.

Para sa kanya, tama ang desisyon niyang umalis. He went to so many places...taking pictures. He always loved photography ever since he was 15. Pero noon, alam niyang hanggang hobby na lang ito dahil may responsibilidad siya. Yet, here he is. A budding photographer. Sinong mag-aakalang dito siya dadalhin ng tadhana?

"Ma, thank you for taking care of Papa and our business." Wala sa sariling nausal niya ito sa ina.

"Do you still hate me?" Pumiyok ang boses nito.

"Ma..let's not remind ourselves of the past." Ang aga aga ay nagdadrama silang mag-ina.

"Akala mo ba ikaw lang ang nakakamiss sa kanya? Not a day passed that I didn't think about her...I dream about her every night."

"Ma, nakainom ka na naman ba?" Nag-aalalang tanong niya dito.

She laughed. "It's for therapy, son."

"Ma..."

"Anyway, I called because I want you to meet someone there. It's the daughter of one of my business partners there in Japan."