Hazel's Sweet Revenge

Kabanata 28

*** Hazel's ***

It's Bound to Have Flaws

I believe I was five years old when mom first introduced me to love.

She defined it in a manner that was appropriate for my age, but both of my parents were also capable of treating me maturely. It was a good balance because, at an early age, I speak ahead of my years.

Naalala ko ang sinabi niya noon.

Maraming nagsasabi na ilang beses na silang nagmahal at ilang beses na rin nasaktan.

Mom, however, never took it seriously. One love, she claimed, is all there is. On top of that, some people may not have ever loved at all if they continue to swear that they have had profound devotion more than once.

Mom considered them angels. They are the ones who you feel more connected to and who will teach you important lessons in life, but they aren't meant to stay.

She felt it once with dad. He is her angel.

Love for her is to identify yourself with the one you love.

True love is like finding your soul mate. And when you find that person, it will be less about getting to know each other but more about remembering who that person is.

She felt it with tito Owen. He is her soul mate.

Those things that I've learned from them have become my basis for love.

I knew I felt it once, but I'm not yet sure if that person is my angel or my soul mate.

I tried to reach out. Sinubukan kong maging matapang. I've tried my best to make her talk and to make her feel comfortable sharing things with me like she used to.

Pero ang tapang na sinubukan kong buohin ay hindi naging sapat.

The weight of our past is dragging me down because now I have no idea how to even begin a conversation. Hindi ko na alam kung paano siya tatanungin if she's doing okay, kung anong nangyari noon, kung hanggang ngayon masakit pa rin para sa kanya alalahanin ang lahat.

The idea of seeing her again scares me, but the dreadful memories from far away are a lot more painful to deal with. I just have to put up a brave exterior kahit pa kapag nakikita ko siya, para akong tinutusok sa dibdib dahil naaalala ko ang mga nangyari sa kanya noon.

Pero ngayong gabi, hinayaan ko ang sarili na maging mahina. On her shoulder, I sobbed uncontrollably. She let me.

Alam niyang hindi ko kaya. Alam niyang nasasaktan ako. Hinayaan niya ako kahit pa hindi niya alam kung bakit ako umiiyak.

Celine once told me that I am good at confrontation. But now I couldn't do that to Sab. Hindi ko kayang sabihin sa kanya na may alam ako. It was a sensitive topic, and I don't want to relive the pain she felt during those years.

Pinapasok ko siya sa penthouse habang hawak si Ollie. I missed my cat a lot. Ilang beses kong inalala kung kumusta siya o kung buhay pa siya. But as soon as I saw her inside the carrier, there was a glimpse of hope that, from this day on, everything was going to be fine.