Whispers of Avarice (Casa de Castillo 1)

Chapter 22

Pursuit of Hearts

I can't believe what happened yesterday. My heart is still overflowing because of that confession. The scene that unfolded yesterday kept on replaying in my head... and every time it replays my stomach would swirl, my heart would beat faster, and a smile would appear on my lips.

Niyakap ko ang unan ko at gumulong sa kama. Pauli-ulit na gumulong ako sa kama ko at sa bawat paggulong ay may kasamang paghiyaw. Huminto lamang ako sa paggulong nang makaramdam ako ng pagod. Humiga ako ng maayos at pinagmasdan ko ang puting kisame.

I never thought I'd like someone again. After everything that happened with Gaston, I thought I would never love someone again. I gave everything in our relationship. My parents were against us, but I fought for Gaston because he loved me, and I loved him. I was naive back then. I thought we could survive anything as long as we loved each other. But I was wrong. You can't survive in this world with only love in your hands.

I had to leave Gaston. The world was cruel to him, and it only became harsher after I stood by his side. Tita Alphosine feared Gaston being seen by the world if I offered him support. So she did everything to tear us apart. Gaston never knew what his stepmother did because I kept it from him.

The past is in the past. Dwelling on it won't help. It was painful for both of us, and we both went through a lot. I'm finally healed from that experience, and it's time for me to move forward. I hope Gaston is also healed because... liking someone might make me feel guilty knowing that Gaston is still suffering from the pain I caused him.

"Taylah!" sigaw ni Aethan sa gitna ng hallway at tumatakbo papunta sa direksiyon ko. Nagtinginan ang mga tao sa direksiyon ko dahil sa ginawa nito.

"Ang ingay mo," bulong ko nang makalapit ito sa akin.

My phone vibrated, urging me to pick it up and see the notification. A comment had landed on my profile picture. Curiosity sparked— who could it be? Considering I don't have many friends, I pondered if it was Ida, Aethan, or maybe one of those relatives who always chime in on my posts.

Keanu Vilejo:
na like ng deck ko

"What the fuck?" pasigaw na wika ko.

"Oh bakit?" tanong ni Aethan. "Sinabihan mo ako na maingay tapos ikaw itong sumisigaw ngayon."

Hindi ko pinansin si Aethan. Deck? What is he talking about? Deck like a set of cards or deck as in the upper, outdoor platform on a ship? Hindi nanaman ata nakainom ng gamot si Keanu. Umaatake nanaman ang sakit niya. Ang mga tao na may saltik katulad ni Keanu dapat hindi na hinahayaan na gumamit ng Facebook.

Binuksan ko ang group chat namin nila Ida at Aethan. Hindi ko alam ang "deck" na 'yan. Wala akong alam na kahit anong slang na ginagamit sa social media. Si Ida at Aethan ang maalam sa mga ganiyan kaya sila na lang ang tatanungin ko.

Taylah Fabroa:
What is deck?

Fraida Forbes:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Bakit?

Taylah Fabroa:
Keanu commented that word on my profile picture.

Fraida Forbes:
You should also leave a comment on his profile picture.

Nilingon ko si Aethan na nakakunot na ang noo ngayon. Hindi sinabi ni Ida ang meaning ng deck at tinawanan lang nito ang tanong ko. Ano naman kaya ang nakakatawa doon? Malaman ko lang talaga na kabastusan nanaman ito... malalagot na sa akin si Keanu!

"What is deck?"

Aethan laughed. "Huh?"

"Ano 'yung deck?" pag-uulit ko.