LOVE & PROMISES [Editing]

Chapter 40 || The Truth

Alex laid down in the middle of her bed as she's spacing out. It seems like she lost strength to do anything. She didn't even closed her door and just left it open.

Mrs. Clemonte passed by and knocked on her door. "Alex? Eat lunch with us.", Alex ignored her and faced the other side.

"You haven't eaten anything. How are you going to attend your father's funeral kung nasa ganyang kalagayan ka?"

"Akala ko ba hindi niyo ako papapuntahin sa burol ni Papa. Why bother going out of this room kung hindi ko rin naman makikita si Papa."

Bumuntong-hininga ang kanyang ina. "Kukumbinsihin ko si Dad mo na hayaan kang pumunta sa burol ng papa mo. Just please eat something. Namumutla ka na oh.", ani ng nakatatanda.

"Why do you even care?"

"Because I'm your mother, Alex.", tugon naman kaagad ng kanyang ina. Alex sarcastically laughed at her statement. "I wish you would've acted like one when father is controlling me and kuya.", she said with bitterness in her tone.

Nalungkot ang mga mata ng kanyang ina. "Alex, look-", she was about to approach her when Mr. Clemonte called her.

A sigh left her mouth and headed outside. "Papadalhan nalang kita ng makakain dito kung ayaw mong sumabay kumain sa amin.", huling sabi ni Mrs. Clemonte bago siya umalis.

Umupo si Alex pagkatapos niyang masiguradong wala ng tao sa kwarto niya. A tear escaped her eyes while she stared at the broken picture frame she threw.

If you cared for me, you would let me spend time with my father ever since he was out from the jail. Hindi mo ipagkakait yung kaligayahan na gusto kong maranasan na kay Papa ko lang pwedeng maramdaman. Kung mahal mo ako, I wouldn't be a mess right now. I wouldn't be so wasted.

Meanwhile, at the dining table...

"Padalhan ng pagkain si Alex sa kwarto niya, para makakain na rin siya.", bilin ni Mrs. Clemonte sa isang katulong.

Tumango naman ang katulong at umalis para ipaghanda ng pagkain ang unica ija ng mga Clemonte.

Xander just looked at her silently and looked at his father's reaction. "Buti naisipan mong pakainin 'yon.", ani ni Mr. Clemonte.

"Namumutla na siya. Baka di na niya kayanin kapag nagpalipas pa siya ng gutom ngayon.", halata sa boses ng kanyang ina ang kaba.

Everything seems so off right now. Xander can't point it out though. He quickly finished his meal and noticed the maid carrying a meal for Alex.

"I'm done eating. Excuse me.", he excused himself and followed the maid. "Hey,", ani niya at napatigil naman ang katulong. "Ano po 'yon sir?"

"Ako na magdadala ng pagkain ni Alex.", sabay ngiti nito.

"Ah sige po. Sure po kayo? baka mahirapan po kayo sa-"

"Kaya ko na 'to. Sige na, balikan mo na yung iba mong ginagawa doon.", he said and gave her a kind smile. Napangiti ang katulong at ibinigay ang tray na hawak-hawak kay Xander.

She excused herself and left to do her other chores. Si Xander naman ay dahan-dahang inakyat ang pagkain ng kanyang kapatid.

Kumatok siya sa kwarto nito. Nang sumilip, nakita niyang magmadali magpunas ng luha si Alex. He felt sad when he saw her like that.

"Kain ka na muna.", he gently said while putting the tray on her bedside table. "Ayoko.", mahinang sambit ni Alex. Napabuntong-hininga siya at tinabihan ang kapatid.