Monasterio Series #2: After All

Kabanata 34

The sad part is... they're doing it for the sake of our business. They're depriving us the freedom and happiness in exchange of money and power.

"Are you sure you can both do this, Ches?"

Napalingon ako sa gawi ni Christian. He's a bit leaning against the driver's seat while looking at me. Concern was etched on his handsome face.

I sighed. "I hope so. May tiwala ako kay Rian. Alam kong malulusutan niya ito."

Tumango siya. "Update me as soon as you can. I'm sorry I can't be with you for days."

"I understand. You have businesses to take care of. Magtawagan na lang tayo."

"Yeah, sure." He slouched a bit and tugged me closer to him. Pinatakan niya ako ng halik sa aking noo at tinitigan ako sa mga mata. "Send my regards to your sister. Mag ingat kamo siya."

Tumango ako. Isang beses ko pang sinulyapan si Christian bago ako tuluyang bumaba ng sasakyan. He'll be leaving for Dumaguete for three days regarding business. Sa tingin ko ay tiyempo lang ang pag alis niya dahil magkakaroon ako ng pagkakataon na manatili rito sa bahay namin at maisagawa ng maayos ang gusto ni Adrianna.

Bumusina si Christian tanda ng pagpapaalam niya. As soon as I nodded and let out a smile, his black Lexus owned the road and drove out like a mad lion.

Sinundan ko pa iyon ng tingin hanggang sa tuluyan na itong mawala. Huminga ako ng malalim at humarap sa aming bahay. My eyes darted at Adrianna's room. The door of her veranda is open. I can see the plain white curtains there being blown by the cool afternoon wind.

Hindi nagtagal at pumasok na ako sa gate. Huminga ako ng malalim nang makita ang ilan sa mga tauhan ni Daddy na nakapalibot sa buong kabahayan.

Our parents are currently out of the house. Siguradong nasa opisina ang dalawang iyon. The only people the moment I went inside are the housemaids.

"Magandang hapon po, Ma'am Cheska." bati ni Eli, isa sa batang kasambahay namin.

Ngumiti ako. "Good afternoon. Ang kapatid ko?"

"Nasa kwarto po niya..."

Tumango ako at dumiretso na paakyat sa hagdan. Hinaplos ko ang tiyan ko dahil medyo may kabigatan na rin ito. Sa tuwing dadapo ang mga kamay ko rito, hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi isipin si Daniel. Alot of things were rolling across my mind but I guess it will never be right for me to think of them anymore.

Dalawang katok ang pinakawalan ko bago walang pasabing pinihit ang door knob pabukas. Naabutan ko si Rian na nakaupo sa dulo ng kama, abala sa pagaayos ng damit sa loob ng bag pack niya.

She lifted her head and met my gaze. Tipid siyang ngumiti.

"Ate..."

"Hey," I sashayed my way towards her. Nang makalapit ay pinatakan ko siya ng halik sa ibabaw ng ulo niya. "Is everything good?"

"Okay na, ate."

Bumaba muli ang paningin ko sa maliit na bag niya. "Iyan lang ang dadalhin mo?"

"Yes. Ayos na ito. I'll just buy things when I get there."

Huminga ako ng malalim. "I've already called Calix. He'll be waiting for you tonight."

Hesitation ran in her eyes. "Hindi ba nakakahiya sa kaibigan mo, ate? How did you even know him?"

"He's a friend way back in college and don't worry about him. Mabait iyon. Your Kuya Christian knows him, too."

She unzipped her bag pack and looked at me. "Do you think this will work?"