You for All Lifetimes (Ferrer Series #2)

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

Entertain

Come the evening of the same day, after dinner, Ate Yvonne, along with Kuya Yvo, went to my room to lament on what happened earlier this afternoon.

"Bakit ba kasi? I'm not some lamb to be offered!" she cried. Narito lang kaming tatlo sa aking kama, nakahiga, nakaupo, at pinakikinggan ang nga sasabihin ng kapatid.

"And for God's sake, I'm 21 already! Why is she deciding for me! I have a boyfriend, 'di ba? Mama knows about him! I introduced him formally in this house! Bakit niya ako itatali sa hindi ko kakilala?" aniya.

Kuya Yvo sighed and tried to comfort her.

"I'm her own daughter, Kuya! Serene! Anak niya ako! Paano niya nasisikmurang ako mismo ang i-fix sa lalaking 'yon? Kilala ba niya sila? Alam ba niya ang ugali noong Lance na iyon?" napabuntong hininga na lang din ako nang umiyak lalo si Ate Yvonne, yakap-yakap ang unan ko.

"The Ferrers are a friend of Tito Arthur, Yvonne. Plus, this is business. You should have seen it coming, and not attached yourself to a boyfriend—"

"Woah, woah," pinanood kong bumangon si Ate Yvonne mula sa pagkakahiga, nanlalaki ang mga mata, at sa kabila ng gulat, nangingibabaw ang galit at iritasyon sa mga binitawang salita ng nakatatandang kapatid. "I should have seen it coming? Really? Tignan niyo nga kung anong petsa na, Kuya! Fixed marriage is not practiced anymore! Paano ko 'to dapat asahan gayong hindi naman na 'to ginagawa!"

Kuya Yvo sighed more.

"Ate," malamyos kong tawag. "Calm down, okay?"

"You don't understand!"

I exhaled deeply, feeling the pity for my sister. "I know, I sure don't. But remember? When you talked with Kuya Lance earlier, he mentioned that both of you can say no to the marriage. Pwede iyon, 'di ba? 'Wag ka nang umiyak."

"Naniniwala ka sa bugok na 'yon? Totoo ka ba, Serene?" mas kalmado, pero tunog iritado pa ring sabi ni Ate Yvonne. "Kahit pa humindi ako, kilala ko si Mama! She'll make it happen, still, despite my opinion of this! Ipipilit niya, hanggang sa mangyari na talaga!"

"But if the guy wants to say no to it as well, anong magagawa ni Tita Cherish, 'di ba?" I asked, hoping that she would see my point, and calm down.

I honestly don't know that Ferrers personally. Though, I probably have been introduced to them back in the days when Papa was still alive, I don't think I'll remember them given that I was still young when Papa died.

My mother died after the birth of my brother, Kael. Kahit na sa kabila ng pagkawala ni Mama ay ang pagkabuhay ng kapatid ko, hindi iyon inisip ni Papa. Dahilan ng kanyang matinding kalungkutan, malalang pagkalululong sa bisyo, at pagsusugal. I was thirteen years old that time. I didn't know how to comfort him, or do anything for him because I was still a kid. And even though I understand his grief, he always acted fine when he was with me. Despite his grief, he still tried to be a good father to me, and to Kael. But not to the extent of actually taking care of us.

Ang aking tiyahin na kapatid ni Papa ang siyang nag-alaga sa 'min. Dahil bata pa ako, hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko aalagaan ang kapatid kong sanggol pa lamang. Acknowledging his inability to completely devote his life to us, Papa asked his sister to take care of us.

Tita Mercy was the one to feed us, cook for us, prepare me for school, read me a book, sing a lullaby for Kael. At doon, sandali kong nalimutan ang kawalan na dulot ng aking ama. Dahil sa aruga ng tiyahin, panandalian kong nalimot ang pagkawala ni Papa kasabay noong araw na nawala si Mama.

Few months after, Papa was unusually home. Nang makauwi ako galing eskwela, hawak ang kamay ni Tita Mercy, naabutan namin siyang nasa sala, nakaupo sa sofa, at may kasamang babae.