The Calm After the Storm (Northern Trail Series #1)

Chapter 6

Serena's POV,

It has been a month since my peace has been tampered. Maybe because I already had enough of it on my eighteen years of existence. Well guess what? Life is still fair.

"Kailangan mo ba talaga umalis Serena? Hindi biro mangibang bansa. Wala ka pang karanasan. And you're just eighteen!"

I hold Rica's hand para pakalmahin sya. She's panicking now. Siguro nagulat sya sa biglaan kong naging desisyon. Should I tell her the truth? I think that's the only way for her to understand me.

"Rica please. Makinig ka sa akin. I need this. Don't worry about me. Kaya ko sarili ko."

Paulit-ulit na umiling si Rica. Hindi ko pa rin sya mapapayag sa gusto ko.

"Maging sina Madame Olivia at Sir Jorge ay hindi papayag sa gusto mo Serena. Para saan pa ba at magtatrabaho ka doon? Ayaw mo na ba mag-aral ng kolehiyo? Paano kung mapahamak ka doon lalo na at mag-isa ka? Ayaw mo na ba dito?" sunod-sunod akong pinaulanan ni Rica ng mga tanong ngunit hindi na mababago ng kahit ano ang aking desisyon. Buo na ang pasya kong umalis at magtrabaho sa ibang bansa.

"Rica please. Ayoko lang na mapahamak ang mga Castillejo pati na rin kayo."

Tila nagtataka si Rica sa sinabi ko. I think I should tell her the truth para maintindihan nya.

"Rica.. This is serious. Listen to me.."

Isang mahabang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ko bago ilahad kay Rica ang lahat-lahat. Nang matapos ay agad syang napatayo at napatuop sa kanyang bibig.

"Serena, kailangan natin ipaalam ito kina Madame. Sigurado ako matutulungan ka nila-"

"Rica. No. You don't understand. That's actually the last thing I wanted to happen. To let the Castillejo get involved in my personal problems. Please Rica. Magdadala lamang ako ng panganib hangga't nandito ako sa bubong ng mga Castillejo."

"Ayoko lang na mapahamak ka.." nag-aalala nitong tugon habang kumikislap ang mga mata sa mga nagbabadyang mga luha.

"Don't worry. I'll be alright. I mean look. After all that happened, I'm still here. Nahihinaan ka ba saken?" biro ko dito para gumaan ang atmosphere pero hindi man lang nya magawang matuwa sa biro ko.

"Look Rica. Kung aalis ako wala namang mawawala. Walang mapapahamak pero kapag nanatili ako dito, madadamay kayo. Di ko yon kakayanin. Sa lahat ba naman ng magiging kabayaran ko sa kabutihan nyo, kapahamakan pa?"

"Wala na bang ibang paraan? For sure mayroon pa Serena diba?" pamimilit ni Rica sa akin. I looked at her, amused by her persistence.

All my life, I never experienced having someone who worries so much about me. I only have Papa and now he's gone. Now seeing Rica this emotional and concern about me breaks my heart. I can't believe I'm gonna leave her too.

If only I can just stay here, enjoy my life, study culinary arts but that would be selfish. Staying here will heighten the risk of their lives. Just because my peace has been tampered, I will also tamper the peace of everyone around me.

"I can stay here.. for good. I really want that Rica. Pero kung ang kapalit ay kaligtasan nyo, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na umalis. I'm not scared of what those men can do to me. I'm scared of what they can do to all of you." I looked up to the ceiling prevent my tears from falling. This is not the time to cry. I should be strong. Kahit di na para sakin, para na lang sa kanila.

She was silent. Hindi ko alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isipan nya. She excused herself out of my room para bumalik na sa sariling trabaho.

I was left alone inside my room torn between these choices. I push myself back in bed and frustratingly cover my face with pillow.