Truce To Love

TTL ~ XIII

TTL ~ XIII

The weeks passed by like a blur. Hindi ko pa ulit nakikita ang mga pamangkin ko. Subalit hindi naman ako kinalimutang bigyan ng balita ni Lemon tungkol sa kambal. She's always sending me pictures of the babies.

Spoiled ang mga iyon sa Ynarez. Sabi ni Lemon ay shifting ang apat na kasambahay nila para sa pag-aalaga sa kambal. Nalulungkot ako sa isiping mga kasambahay ang nagpapalaki sa kanila ngunit wala pa akong magagawa sa ngayon. Mabuti na lang at nariyan si Lemon para asikasuhin ang kambal.

And so I just concentrated on my work to pass my days.

Ganoon pa rin, may mga oras na nalulungkot ako kapag naaalala ko si Kuya Serge at Ate Apple. We lived together for years and I really missed them. A lot. But little by little, acceptance embraced my heart. I also want them to be at peace. I'm sure Kuya wouldn't like seeing me succumb in grief.

Last night, Kuya William unexpectedly visited me.

"Kuya? Akala ko bumalik ka na sa US?" gulat kong tanong sa kanya.

Hindi ko akalaing siya ang nasa likod ng pinto nang buksan ko iyon dahil sa pagkatok.

He smiled at me while trying to be comfortable in our sofa. Matikas pa rin ang kanyang tindig at gwapo. But I think he looked a little bit better-looking than the last time I saw him.

Noong libing ni Kuya, he seemed like he's barely living at all. At sa tingin ko, gayundin siguro ang mukha ko noon. Ngayon, kahit papaano'y may buhay na ang mga mata niya. I can see the glimpse of joy in his eyes.

I smiled at the thought that someone could be making him happy. He deserves happiness in his life after everything that he's been through. He's such a good man.

Napabuntong hininga siya. "Akala ko rin, Sera. But.. something came up."

Curious ako sa huling sinabi niya ngunit pinabayaan ko na lang. He would tell me if he wants to.

"Hindi ka na ba babalik doon?"

"Ayaw ko sana pero kailangan.." Napakamot sa batok niyang saad. "Marami akong naiwan na trabaho roon. That's why I am here. I want to make sure you're doing fine before I go. Natagalan akong bisitahin ka dahil sa mga importanteng bagay na inasikaso."

I shook my head hearing his apologetic voice. Hindi niya ako responsibilidad kaya naiintindihan ko siya. After all, we're both dealing with our loss.

"I think, I'm fine, Kuya. You don't have to worry about me. Alam ko namang marami ka pang ginagawa kaya ayos na sa akin na dinalaw mo ako." Nakangiti kong wika.

He stared at me with gentleness. "I know it's hard but don't ever think that you're alone, Sera. I promised your brother in his grave that I will take care of you."

Binalot ng kasiyahan ang puso ko. It's nice to hear that there are still people whom I can depend on.

"Basta kung may kailangan ka, kahit ano pa iyon.. Humingi ka lang tulong sa akin. I will surely help you." Then suddenly his eyes shone with rage. "And I heard about Serge's babies. Do you want to contest their custody?"

Napaawang ang labi ko sa tanong niya. I don't know where he heard those news. Ngunit alam ko ring may pera at impluwensiya si Kuya William, marahil narinig niya iyon sa mga kaibigan niya o kakilala.

"I am willing to help you, Sera. I can help you financially." untag niyang muli.

He must have seen my hesitation.

"I am grateful for your help, Kuya. But I decided to let them go for now. I am not yet stable and I know it would be hard for the kids as well. Ayaw ko silang mahirapan. Ayaw din kitang bigyan ng problema."