Laments of Broken Strings (Arte del Amor #1)

Chapter 24

The Dychiocos stayed there with us and they plan on doing so until the New Years. "Do they not have their house?" rinig kong reklamo ni Ashantelle kagabi nang sabihin nilang magtatagal pa sila rito.

In all honesty, I feel like I am the one overstaying my welcome. They're Ashriel's mother's guests and they have all the right to stay until they are wanted here. I can see the genuine happiness that they give Tita Ashanti so that's really good.

"Good morning!" bati ko kay Dianne na nadatnan ko sa kusina ngayong umaga.

She didn't even bother to look at me, ang kausapin pa kaya? Hindi na rin naman ako umasa na may makukuha ako mula sa kaniya. I just want to be nice. Just because I am not in good terms with someone doesn't mean I'd be a bitch towards them.

It doesn't hurt to try and be nice to them.

Masyado pang maaga kaya wala pang ibang tao dito sa kusina. She's cooking something while I just got some milk from the fridge and took some bread for breakfast.

Doon na rin ako kumain dahil hindi naman niya ako pinapaalis. I kinda want to talk to her about why she dislikes me. I really want to know why, is it just because of Ashriel?

It's unsettling to know that someone hates you because life... it is too short to spend it being hated. If she doesn't want to talk, ayaw ko na lang rin. Life is also too short, might as well not spend it worrying over people I couldn't please.

I was in the middle of eating my bread when I felt someone hug me from behind. Nakilala ko agad ang amoy ni Ashriel at napangiti ako sa init na dala ng pagbalot ng katawan niya sa akin.

"Good morning." bati niya malapit sa tainga ko at hinalikan niya ang gilid ng ulo ko.

Ashriel still has his bed hair this early in the morning. Umupo siya sa bar stool na nasa tabi ko at tumayo ako para kuhanan siya ng pagkain. Hindi pamandin ako nakapagluto agad dahil akala ko ay mamaya pa siya gigising...

I was about to grab something for him when Dianne blocked my way as she was reaching for two plates on the rack. I glanced at the stove and saw that she's been cooking for two people.

"Heto nalang, Ash. Habang bagong luto pa." sabi niya habang inilalapag iyon sa harap ni Ashriel. Ashriel looked at me at tumango ako sa kanya. He likes to eat heavy breakfast so it's the better choice.

Wala namang masama. It's food.

Nakaupo sa harap namin si Dianarys habang kumakain si Ashriel. Hinihintay ko nalang siyang matapos.

"Do you not know that he has to eat heavy breakfast? Dinala ka niya dito, 'di ba? Bakit hindi ikaw ang nagluto?"

Ito ang unang beses na kinausap niya ako at ganito pa. My mind went into total chaos trying to think of what to tell her, but I stopped when Ashriel put down his cutleries, making a loud sound.

"Hindi ko siya dinala dito para pagsilbihan ako. Stop it." seryosong sabi niya habang diretsong nakatingin sa kanya.

Padabog na tumayo si Dianne at bumigat ang paghinga niya, "Bakit ba kasi 'yan nandito? Ashriel, it could have been just us! Masyado kang busy dyan!"

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Seryoso ba siya?

She just casually talked about me like I'm not a person!

Si Ashriel ay natawa, hindi rin makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Dianne. "I'm sorry but you should stop, Dianne. You are my mother's guest so I have no responsibility whatsoever to entertain you."

"I've known you for longer, Zuniga!"

Tinitignan lang siya ni Ashriel na walang ekspresyon sa mata. "I can't tolerate anyone who disrespects Lyrica."