Against the Heart (Azucarera Series #1)

Kabanata 18

"Sa akin ka magpaturo next time at huwag sa kanya..." he still trailed off.

Ngumiti ako at tinanguan na lang siya.

We both remained silent the whole time. Kahit na tahimik si Kuya, nararamdaman ko ang titig niya sa akin. Nararamdaman ko ang bawat paninimbang sa bawat galaw ko. Funny how he noticed it now... now that I've decided on what to finally do?

Pinili ko sa Ruins sa Talisay ang pagkikita nila ni Leandro. Bukod kasi sa alam kong hanggang La Carlota niya lang nai-date si Keira, maganda rin ang sinisimbolo ng lugar na iyon. I have poured all my heart's content for this... for him... and I couldn't afford for it to fail.

However, my selfish self still thinks it may be the best place because it is far from Altagracia and far from Bacolod, too. Ibig sabihin hindi ko kailangang madaanan iyon palagi, sa buong buhay ko, kung hindi ko naman sasadyain. If I could, I would definitely avoid that place after that.

Hinilig ko sa balikat ni Mommy ang aking ulo. Bumabiyahe na kami ngayon dahil bukas ang date ni Leandro at Keira. She's going to Bacolod to relax but I know that she's just avoiding Daddy. Nitong nakaraang araw, lagi silang nag-aaway dahil lumalala ang mga usap-usapan sa mga kalaguyo ni Daddy.

"I will go to the spa tomorrow. Do you want to come with me? I will be alone, Chayo. Not with friends."

Umiling ako. "May lakad po ako bukas, Mom. Sa Talisay."

"Oh! Sinong kasama mo?"

"Friends po. But... I guess you can reschedule the spa for the next day? I think I would need that."

She chuckled. "Alright."

Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko. Madalas sa biyahe ay nakakatulog ako pero ngayon, hindi ako dinadalaw ng antok. Kahit pa nariyan ang mararahang haplos ni Mommy.

"Chayo, is your life now the life you always wanted?" banayad at parang hangin ang boses ni Mommy.

Dumilat ako, hindi alam kung bakit kinabahan. Siguro dahil nararamdaman kong alam ni Mommy na malupit ang mga naging buwan ko nitong nakaraan.

"I know you're still young to realize what is it you truly want but... I want to know now, what does your young heart want? This early."

Ngumiti ako sa tanong niya. Tuwing summer, nagta-travel naman kami. We have been abroad and to some more places in the country. I have explored more than some girls my age, maybe because of our money and my supportive parents. Bukod pa sa mabababaw na suliranin, wala na akong ibang kumplikadong hangad.

"I'm fine here in Altagracia, Mommy. Just being with my loved ones is perfect for me."

She chuckled again. "Ah. Ganyang-ganyan din ako noon. I didn't like going abroad or going to any bigger city to develop a more professional career. Hindi naman dahil sa mayaman na ang Lolo mo at may mamanahin ako, I'm just really satisfied with the simple life of abundance. With going abroad and places for a vacation every now and then. Iyon lang din ang pangarap ko."

Funny how I think Mommy and I agreed on some things now. Bukod sa pisikal na anyo, may iba rin pala akong minana sa kanya.

"I didn't want to take risks... I'm scared and I'm too content with what I have."

"Hindi naman po siguro masama iyon. Developing a career in the corporate world is not for everyone. Maybe, Mommy, your talent is in farming. Kaya nga lumago nang lumago ang negosyo n'yo ni Daddy, hindi po ba?"

Hinaplos ni Mommy ang aking buhok at banayad na hinalikan ang aking sentido.

"Yes. Thank you, Chayo."