WILD ROSE (BOOK2)

Chapter Thirteen: There are always two sides to every story

When Justin is out of earshot, binalingan agad ako ni Mama Jas. “You need to eat hija. I’ll make something for you. ”

I’m not really hungry but I don’t have the heart to refuse her. So, I just nodded my head and timidly smiled at her. “Thank you po.”

“Papatabain kita sa loob ng dalawang araw.” Kindat na sagot naman nito dahilan para mapangiti ako ng tuluyan.

 Habang busy si Mama Jas sa pag gawa ng merienda, pinagpatuloy naman ni Rachel yung pag uusisa nito tungkol sa naging pagmomodelo ko noon.

After a few minutes, Mama Jas joined us. Nalipat naman yung usapan sa baking dahil sa cake na hinanda nito.

They seem so impressed by me nang malaman nila na marunong akong mag bake. Kaya naman masaya kaming nagpalitan ng recipe ni Mama Jas sa kabila ng pagma-maktol ni Rachel.

Naputol lang yung masaya naming pag uusap ng may lumapit saming katulong. “Madam, andito na po si Mrs. Navarro.”

Tumango lang si Mama Jas dito.  “Give her some refreshment first Manang.”

Nang mawala na sa paningin namin si Manang, binalingan ako nito. “I’m so sorry about this hija. Nung time na sinabi sakin ni Justin kung kelan kayo uuwi, it was too late to cancel my appointment with her.”

I shook my head and waved my hand in the air frantically. “Oh, please don’t worry about me. I can handle myself and I don’t want to be a bother.”

 “You’re not a bother, hija. You’re part of our family now.” She touched my cheek affectionately. “I’m sure, if my husband is still alive, he will say the same thing.”

My gaze softened as I stared at her. “Thank you.” I sincerely mumbled.

Mama Jas beamed at me. “Tell Rachel if you need anything. I’ll check you later.”

“Thanks Ma—mama Jas.” Nahihiya ko pa rin na sagot dito dahilan para tawanan ako nilang dalawa.

Mama Jas patted the top of my head and then, she looked at Rachel’s direction. “Rachel darling, show Armie her room.”

Excited naman akong hinatak paakyat ni Rachel kung saan nakapwesto yung lahat ng kwarto.

“That’s Kuya JD’s room.” Turo nito sa madadaanan naming pinto. “You’ll be right next door.”

Pero bago pa kami makarating sa tutulugan ko, huminto si Rachel sa tapat ng kwarto ni Justin.

“I want to show you something Ate.”

Binuksan nito yung kwarto ni JD at hinila ako nito papasok.

“Is this really ok?” Alanganin na tanong ko dito.

“It’s fine. It’s fine. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” Pilya na sagot nito.

Napailing at natawa nalang ako sa naging sagot ni Rachel.

This girl is really something.

I looked around and surveyed the room.

Hindi na ako nasorpresa that there’s a mini library on the other side of his bed.

Kahit noon pa, despite Justin’s reputation and appearances, he really loves to read.

“Alam ko, andito lang yon eh.” Putol ni Rachel sa iniisip ko.

Lumuhod to sa bedside table ni Justin at binuksan nito yung last drawer. “Gotcha.” Excited na bulalas nito habang may kinukuha to sa loob non.

Curious naman akong napalapit dito.

Bago pa ako makalapit ng husto, tumayo na si Rachel at nakangisi akong binalingan.

“A frame?” Nagtataka na tanong ko dito nang makita ko yung hawak nito.

Rachel beamed at me. “Your picture!”

I blinked. “My picture?” Did I hear her right?

“Yup. Look.” Binigay nito sakin yung frame. “Kaya nga nagulat ako nang makita kita kanina. I instantly recognized you even though you’re still quite young in this picture.”

I looked down.

It’s the picture of me and Justin.

I remember this picture.

I actually have the same one.

But I tore it into pieces nang lumipat ako ng university.

A bystander took this picture when we went out of town.

We have a matching set of shirts, shoes and sunglasses.

Ayaw pa nga ni Justin suotin yung shirt pero nagpumilit lang talaga ako.

In the end, he told me, hindi talaga ako nito mahindian.

Nakayap si Justin sa bewang ko habang nakapwesto to sa likuran ko. Parehas kaming nakangiti at nakatingin sa camera.

We both look so happy and so in love.

I can’t believe na buhay pa rin tong picture nato.

That he kept this.

May kung anong mainit na bagay ang humaplos sa puso ko.

I looked up.  “How did you find this?”

“Oh that.” Medyo guilty tong nakapamot ng ulo.

I raised my eyebrow, a knowing smile spread across my lips.

“Please, don’t tell Kuya JD?” Rachel pleaded childishly. “Baka bawiin sakin ni Kuya JD yung regalo nya.” Nakanguso na dagdag pa nito.

I raised my right hand. “I promised.”

“Well, it was at the night of my graduation party. Tita threw it for me and Kuya JD promised to buy me something that I really wanted kaya nang hindi ko to makita sa party ko, I searched for him.” Napahawak to sa batok nito na para bang nag aalangan kung magpapatuloy pa tong mag kwento. But after a few minutes, she continued.  “That’s when I saw him here. I was about to disturb him when I noticed that he was actually crying….” She gave me a weak smile. “Holding that frame.” She added.

I gasped.

Suddenly, I find it very difficult to breathe.

“Good thing, Kuya JD wasn’t even aware na nasa may pinto lang ako. I didn’t want Kuya JD to know na nakita ko tong umiiyak kaya I escaped bago pa ako nito mapansin. I went to my room which is fortunately, just right in front of yours.”

Patuloy lang sa pagku-kwento si Rachel habang pasikip naman nang pasikip yung dib-dib ko.

 “And the day he went back to Manila. As soon as he drove off, I sneaked into his room, searching for that frame.” Turo ulit nito sa frame na hawak ko. “I’m just so curious about what made him cry.”

“Kuya JD rarely cried.” She gave me a sad smile. “Last time, I saw him crying, it was at his father’s funeral.” She shrugged her shoulders. “So….”

I felt a stab on my guts.

All this time, I’m not the only one who’s hurting.

In his own way, he grieved us.

Noon man o ngayon, he cares.

He really cares.

 “Come on Ate bago pa tayo mahuli ni Kuya JD.” Nagmamadali na sabi nito habang kinukuha sa mga kamay ko yung frame.

Binalik nito yung frame sa pinagkuhanan nito at nagmamadali akong hinila papalabas.

Nagpaakay nalang ako dito kahit yung buong isipan ko naiwan sa kwarto ni Justin.

There are always two sides to every story.

The sad part is, I just realized it now.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19