Nefarious Love

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

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Tahimik ang unang araw ng bagong taon. The restaurant was closed that day so I spend my time helping out the other villagers cleaning the mess that was left after the celebration last night.

Mag-a-alas dose ng tanghali nang magpasiya kaming magpahinga saglit at kumain ng tanghalian. Nasa hapag kaming apat nila Nanay Teresa, Tatay Joel at Semi. Sabay-sabay na kumakain. I took that opportunity to give them my gifts.

They all turned to me when I placed three paper bags above the table. I smiled.

"Happy new year po,"

Bumagsak ang panga ni Nanay Teresa, ang gulat ay nakaukit sa kaniyang maamong mukha. Tatay Joel smiled wearily at me. Samantalang si Semi nama'y lumuhod sa kinauupuan niya, sinisilip ang laman ng mga paper bag.

"Para sa inyo po," dagdag ko.

Suminghap si Nanay. "Nako, Revi, hindi ka na dapat nag-abala pa!"

"Oo nga, hija. Mukhang mamahalin pa ang mga 'yan. Dapat inipon mo nalang ang pera o binili ng sarili mong gamit,"

"Ayos lang po, wala naman po akong gustong bilhin. Isa pa, marami ang naipon ko lalo na nitong Disyembre, nagbigay po kasi ng bonus si Manager Tomas."

I pushed the paper bags to them, encouraging them to accept it.

"Sige na po. It's also my way of saying thank you for accepting me in your household,"

Nakangiting umiling-iling si Nanay Teresa.

"Ikaw talaga, hindi mo na dapat pinagpapasalamat 'yan. Kami nga ang dapat na magpasalamat at binigyan kami ng mabait na anak na tulad mo,"

Anak... My heart warmed hearing that word. I smiled softly and lowered my head.

Semi hold on to my arm and shake me a bit making me lift my eyes to him. His eyes was glimmering with excitement and happiness. He pointed the paper bags with a huge smile painted on his lips.

"Puwede ko pong buksan?" he asked innocently.

I nodded.

Semi jumped and quickly started opening my gift. Inabot ko ang dalawa kanila Nanay Teresa at Tatay Joel para sabayan nila ang kanilang anak. They were all smiles when they saw my gift. I bought each one of them a pair of footwear na angkop sa pang araw-araw nilang gawain.

I felt I little guilty after seeing the items. Kung hindi lang ako natatakot na lumuwas patungo sa kalapit na lungsod, mas maganda pa siguro ang kalidad ng mga nabili ko para sa kanila.

Malawak ang ngiti at kumikinang ang mga mata ni Semi nang lingunin ako. Hawak niya ang isang pares ng itim na sapatos na bili ko.

"Akin po ito?"

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti niya.

"Salamat po!" he beamed.

Nagpasalamat din sila Tatay at Nanay. Natigil lang nang ipagmalaki ni Semi ang bago niyang sapatos. He told us diligently how excited he is on going back to school and show it to his classmates.

The warm feeling on my chest intensified as I watch the simple yet happy family in front of me. I've been longing to feel this kind of love all my life. Never have I thought I'll be able to feel it after losing hope on others. After almost believing that this kind of love does not exist.

A whole day spent with my new found family recharged me and ease my mind. However, the light feeling was short lived.

Nang dumating ang araw ng kinabukasan, nguling binagabag ang isip ko. It was odd, I never felt nervous on my first day at work so why the heck am I now?