Chapter 55: Solitude and Meows

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Annaliese

Mabilis matapos ang buong araw at na-dismissed kami ng maaga - hays, salamat po Ama!🥺❤️. Kaya napag-isipan namin nina Reese at Luanne na magtambay muna kami sa main entrance ng university habang inaantay ko si tito Angelo na magpasundo sa akin.

"Ano?!" bulyaw ni Luanne right after we told her about me being an adopted child of the Executive Minister, "This. Can't. Be. Real." paisa-isa niyang sambit with disbelief in her voice.

"Oo. Kahit nga ako - wala rin idea about it, eh." sabi ko sabay kamot sa leeg ko. Kinagat ba ako ng lamok or makati lang talaga?

"Kailan mo pala yan nalaman, Ann?" she asks.

"Nitong birthday ko, Lu." I replied, with my friend making a 'so that's why' look on her face.

"Kaya pala naka-tulala ka ng isang buwan." panimula niya, "I guess nasa denial stage ka palang. At kahit anong gawin mo, nandyan na. Hindi na 'to panaginip." she stated that I couldn't help but to nod as response.

"Ehh, kung hindi si Ka. Eduardo and fam, sino ang biological parents mo?" Luanne inquired.

I leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Eto ang clue: kakapanalo niya lang this Elections—"

Kita ko nang bumulog yung mga mata ni Luanne at gumawa ng 'oh my god' expression sa mukha niya. She turned to my direction and asked in a low voice na nagtransitioning to loud volume siya, "Si BBM? PBBM? As in— Marcos? Marcos ka?!"

"Huy! Yung boses mo, girl!" pagbabala ni Reese.

Luanne covered her mouth with her hand, "Sorry. I—it's just that— how? Papano?"

"Yun na nga, Lu. 'Di ko pa nga alam yung dahilan kung bakit. Pero, if he did, then it's because I was clouded by my resentments towards him, eh." I reasoned out, Luanne caressed my back.

"Eh, girl." Reese began, "Willing ka ba talaga na i-welcome si sir BBM as your REAL DAD? Pati na rin ang pamilya niya?" she asks.

I bit my lip then spoke, "Oo. Kasi kahit na babaligtarin man ng mundo, they're my REAL FAMILY. Pero 'di ko mapapangako sa sarili ko na this will be easy. I mean—" 'di ko na lang tinuloy yung sasabihin ko at napabuntong-hininga na lang ako roon.

"May point ka naman." my friend nodded and continued, "Eto yun kasi, willing ka rin ba? Na maririnig mo yung side nila? Hayaan mo nang bumawi sila sa'yo?" tanong pa ni Reese.

"Of course I do!" panimula ko, "I—it's just that, a part of me would just wanna step back. This is hard..." I said, sheepishly and heaved out a sigh.

"Bhie, it's okay." Reese gave me a hug sideways, "Tulad ng sinabi ko, pagbigyan mo na sila ng chance. Pero... don't force yourself to forgive them quickly. Malalagpasan mo na rin yan, in no time. Ha?" she consoled, I nodded eagerly.

"Besides, naging kaibigan kita hindi dahil sa mayaman ka, maganda, o na sa'yo ang lahat. You're sweet, generous, prangka mag-react pero natural, and we love you as you are. Wala akong pakealam kung isa kang Marcos o Manalo. Ang mahalaga, you are you. And that's why we love you, bhie!"

'Di ko maiiwasang ngumiti sabay nangilid yung mga luha ko. "K—kayo naman, eh!" I chuckled, wiping my tears with Luanne joined in the hug, "Thank you." sambit ko. 😭

"Love you!" they said in sync.

Hays, salamat po Ama. May mga kaklase na nagiging kaibigan ko tulad nila.

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