One Summer in Bicol ✔

Kabanata 33

Plans

"Prime, thank you."

Tumango ako kay Neil nang sabihin nya iyon. Pinapasok ko sya sa unit ko at kinatok ang kwarto ni Bianca.

Ayoko sanang makialam sa problema nila, but Bianca pushed me to do this. When she said that I proposed to her, we didn't talk. I was thankful enough that Avery believed me more than Bianca.

"Bianca, let's talk."

Napahawak ako sa baywang ko habang hinihintay na lumabas si Bianca kwarto nya. We waited outside her room for a few minute bago sya lumabas.

The Bianca in front of us is different from the Bianca I know. She has this fierce face, as if she's ready to fight for any battle. Mukha syang babaeng palaban na matalim ang tingin sa amin ni Neil.

"You guys need to talk. I'm sorry Bianca but I want you out of my place. I don't think I can forgive you."

"I am not asking for forgiveness, Jacob," she said coldly.

Natigilan ako. I looked at her eyes intently, as if I can read what's in her head but I felt like I am looking for another person. She became foreign to me.

"Bianca, look. . . I don't know what happened, why you change like that but I want to have a peaceful life with Avery. Please."

She laughed mockingly. Dumilim ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Neil habang nakatitig kay Bianca.

"You guys want a peaceful life! Ako ba, hindi? Sino bang may ayaw n'on?! Ha? Sige nga! I am trying to save myself. Kung kailangan ipilit ko yung sarili ko sa'yo matanggap lang ulit ako ng pamilya ko gagawin ko Jacob! Because I also want to have a family and live a peaceful life! Kahit pakasalan ko pa yung taong hindi ko naman mahal! Is that too much to ask?!" she said as her voice cracked. She began crying in front of us.

When we were kids, we used to hug her when she cries. Lagi namin syang lalapitan ni Neil. We will do everything to stop her from crying. Because she was our princess. But things changed...

"You don't need them. Kung hindi ka nila matanggap dahil sa pagiging totoo mo sa sarili mo, Bianca, then leave! Leave the kitchen when it is getting hot. That's it!" I told her.

Neil remains silent. Bahagya nang lumambot ang ekspresyon ng mukha nya.

"That is so easy for you! Kasi kahit talikuran mo ang pamilya mo, may tatakbuhan ka pa rin, Jacob! May tatanggap pa rin sayo! What about me ha? I was an unwanted child and all my life I had to please people just to have a place in this world! Why can't I be happy? Why?"

She fell on her knees, crying. I should've known her pain. Alam ko dapat yun because we feel the same towards our parents. She being an adopted child of the Beruelas, and being a puppet of her mom, parang bagay lang kung ituring. Anak lang kapag nabibigyan ng saya.

I am about to kneel and hug her when Neil speeks.

"What about me, Bianca? Why do you think I am here, huh?"

I saw Neil clenched his fist upon saying those words. Napahilamos ako ng mukha. What happened to us? Bakit kami dumating sa puntong ito? Ayos naman kami dati at malayo sa ganitong problema.

I was destined to marry her. But I called the engagement off because I met Avery. And now, Neil is falling for Bianca who happens to be her cousin dahil si Neil ang nandoon sa tabi nya when she felt unwanted.

And here we are... looking for the meaning of happiness, wondering how it felts to be loved.

Napabuntong hininga ako. Kasalanan bang pinili ko si Avery? Kasalanan ba ang piliin ang pansariling kaligayahan?