Loving Heart

KABANATA 6

Kabanata 6

Job

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"Why did you do that?"

Doon palang ako kinausap ni Elise nang makabalik na ako sa kwarto. Sumunod sya sa akin.

"Kung hindi ko ginawa yon, ikaw ang mapapagalitan," sabi ko at umupo sa kama.

"Kahit na! It's my fault so you shouldn't have done that! Besides, you know that our aunts are hot-headed towards you. We should just say that it's my fault," hindi sya matigil.

I sighed.

"Ayos na, Elise. Ako na ang bahala roon."

"Pero Victoria..."

I smiled at her. "Don't worry about me. I can pay that vase."

"How? I know you will not use the money that tita Florence or anyone else gives you. Kaya paano mo babayaran?"

My lips parted at what she said. Sa huli natawa ako. Hindi ko akalaing sa ilang taon naming hindi pagkakasama, kilalang kilala nya pa rin ako. Paano nya nalaman yon?

"Don't tell me you will work?" She said. "Victoria, kaya kong bayaran yon. Ako nalang ang magbabayad..." pilit nya.

Umiling ako. "Hindi na, Elise. Ipunin mo nalang yang pera mo. I can handle this, okay?"

"Victoria..." desperada nyang sinabi, gustong gusto akong pigilan.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Kaya ko, Elise."

Huminga sya ng malalim at tinigan ako na para bang isa akong puzzle na napaka hirap buuin. Bahagyang nagsalubong ang kilay nya dahil hirap na hirap syang mapapayag ako. Tumawa ako ng bahagya.

"Yes, I will work. I will not use tita Florence's money. Naiisip ko na rin naman ito nung dumating palang ako," sabi ko.

"You don't have to work, Victoria. Kaya ko namang bayaran yon," pilit nya pa rin.

"Kahit naman wala kang nabasag, magtatrabaho pa rin ako. I shouldn't always rely on other people's money."

"Pero pera mo rin yan. Sa atin yan."

"Hindi ito sa akin, Elise. Hindi ko ito pinaghirapan."

"But that's what Mommy and Daddy want you to get. Enough money to support yourself."

Bahagya akong natigilan sa sinabi nya. Pero hindi pa rin noon mababago ang isip ko. My decision is complete. The money I saved is also running low so I really need to work. The credit card given by tita Florence which is definitely too much money, I will not use. I will never use that.

"Magtatrabaho ako, Elise. Wag ka nang mag alala sa akin. Kaya ko naman," sabi ko.

Hindi pa sya natigil pero sumuko na rin. Binantaan nya pa akong sasabihin nya ang totoo kina tita, that she was the one who broke the vase. But she knew that even if she said that, our aunts wouldn't believe it. Iisipin lang nila na inaako nya ang kasalanan ko. Kaya wala rin syang nagawa.

The next day, Sunday, I immediately looked for a job. I don't know where to look especially since I haven't yet graduated. I also know nothing about jobs. I don't know if a student can work. But Elise said, coffee shops and small restaurants are available for students. So I will look for that now.

Anton:

Good morning!

I didn't expect him to greet me again today. My eyes narrowed slightly because he texted me more often. Kahit kagabi, nagtext sya sa akin.