The Secret Love

Chapter 20

20: FORGIVENESS

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Yvo

He was astonished when he saw how Ella fought between Brenda and Stacey. She learned martial arts. At the back of his mind, alam niyang deserve naman ng dalawa ang tinamo nila for still bullying her until now. Ella has all the right to fight for herself. He can't believe the 'new' woman he still loves.

It was one week ago. Ella told them the truth. He understands kung bakit nito nagawa ang bagay na 'yon. Hindi parin nagbago si Stacey sa mga dati niyang gawi. Hindi parin ito nagbago at nagmature. Though, he doesn't want to be one-sided. May nagbago kay Ella na hindi niya mawari at sana mali ang kanyang hinala.

Yvo glanced at his wrist watch. It's been an hour na umalis si Ella, makikipagkita daw ito kay Naneth. Napag-isipan niyang doon na lamang ito sunduin mamaya.

"Are you falling for her, Yvo?"

He suddenly turned his back. There Stacy, was standing. A serious look and expression in her eyes. Nagtataka niyang tiningnan ito. Since that incident happen, she never bothered to explain her side to them which is nakakapagtaka dahil gawain naman nitong depensahan ang sarili sa tuwing nagkakaroon ng away sa pagitan nila ni Ella. Kahit is Brenda ay hindi na din nag-abala pa. Sinabon ito ni Darren pgkatapos ng nangyari.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

Yumuko ito sabay buntung-hininga. Nasasanay na siya sa drama nito pero sana naman ay magtanda na ito sa pambubuly.

"I just want to apologize for what happened between us ni Ella. Nagkasagutan lang naman kami. You know, like the old times."

Mapait itong ngumiti. He snorted. Old times? Hindi naman sagutan ang nangyayari noon. It was intentionally a pure bully to Ella. Minsan humahantong pa nga sa pisikal na pananakit kung hindi ito nakakatiis. Ilang beses na ito pinatingin sa Psychologist ng kanilang mga magulang. Baka mayroon itong behavioral disorder, on which hindi nila alam kung ano ang resulta. Their parents never open up about it.

"Stacey alam naman nating lahat na ikaw ang nang-aaway kay Ella noon pa man. Until now, Stacey? Really? Ano bang kasalanan o nagawa ni Ella sayo para ayawan o awayin mo siya ng gan'on? Sana nagmature ka na at your age now."

Hindi na siya nakatiis na sumbatan at kumprontahin ito. Kung dati ay nanatiling passive siya sa mga pinangagawa nito, but now he wouldn't allow anyone else to hurt her precious Ella especially from Stacey. Sooner or later, magiging asawa na siya nito and he has to protect her at all cost.

Lumambot ang mukha ni Stacey. Para na itong maiiyak. At mas lalo lamang siyang nagtataka sa kasalukuyang inaasal nito. Usually kapag pinagtatanggol si Ella ay nagwawala ito sa inis. Pero ngayon parang iba ang timplada nito.

"Yvo. Im sorry. Sorry sa lahat ng nagawa ko. Alam ko namang mali. Sana mapatawad niyo parin ako."

And now she's crying.

Natigilan lamang siya. Hindi siya makakibo. Hindi niya alam kung totoo ba itong inaasta ng kapatid o nagdadrama na naman. Is she sincere? Paulit-ulit na tanong niya sa sarili. He heaved a sigh. As much as he wants to talk with her, wala siya sa mood na patagalin ang usapang ito. It makes him uncomfortable and confuse at the same time. Hindi niya kasi mawari kung totoo ang sinasabi nito. Trust has been his issues with her ever since.

"Stacey, kay Ella ka dapat humingi ng tawad. Hindi sa amin o kahit sino pa man dahil sa kanya ka naman may atraso."

Kalmado niyang tugon. Well if she's sincere, she would probably take his advice, and that is to apologize to Ella. Tingin niya at dinatnan ito ng realization sa nangyari o sa buhay, sana ay totoo at panindigan nito kung sakali.