Aryana Solenn Valencia
I couldn't speak. I couldn’t even utter a word.
“Up until now, the death of my sister, Rayani, still haunts and lives inside of me. The guilt from it. I have been living my life with nothing but regrets.”
I looked down on my hands. Pinangiliran ako ng mga luha habang pinakikinggan ang bawat mga salitang sinasabi niya.
“There were still times when I will break down, no matter how happy I was that day. ”
She smiled as her tears starts to strum down. She wiped it using her left hand. I stared at her.
“You will fight, right? You won’t give up, right?” I asked, nervously.
She smiles bitterly. “Kaya ko ba? Kakayanin ko pa ba?” natatawang tanong niya pabalik sa akin ngunit mahihimigan doon ang pait at sakit.
“You will win this battles, Ral. Just don’t give up, please.” I pleaded.
“Of course, I will!” She glanced at me and smiled. “I will, Raya.”
We already got home before the rain strikes again. Pagkapasok ko pa lamang sa main door ay agad na bumuhos ang malakas na ulan.
“Umuulan ba?” Sean asked when I entered the living room.
I glanced at him and stared. “What do you think?” masungit kong tanong pabalik sa kan’ya.
He immediately glanced at me. “That’s not a question you’re supposed to answer with another question.”
I raised a brow. “Shut up.”
He laughed and opened the television. Agad na sumalubong ang balita sa television. It’s about tonight's weather.
“Kamusta ang pagiging heir’s girlfriend, huh?” Sean sarcastically asked before laughing out loud.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Are you really out of your mind? Para kang tanga! You should reading some notes in your room and stop pestering me!”
He laughed as a response. Napairap na lamang ako sa kainisan bago siya talikuran at maglatulog papunta sa aking k’warto.
He’s graduating law student for pete’s sake! Parang bata!
I called Dylan as I finished taking a bath.
[Yes, mahal?] He responded.
“What you doing?”
[Preparing.]
“For what?”
[I have an interview, mahal.]
“Oh. You’ll start to work na?” I exclaimed.
[An intern.]
I went quiet. “Oh. Oh. I know.”
I heard him let out a small laugh. [Why did you call me? Does something wrong happened?]
“Nothing. I just missed your voice.” I replied.
[Hahaha! How’s your day?]
“It went great. I met Gabrielle again. She’s still loud and talkative.” I talked.
[Well. That’s great.]
“And, I have a good news. Tito Simon paid all of her debts.”
His line went quiet. May mali ba akong nasabi?
[Isn’t too much?]
“No? Kusang loob na tumulong si Ralene kay Gabbi.” I explained.
[Ah. Okay. Finally, she’ll go to bed peacefully. Without that thoughts of how will she pay her debts.]
I smiled and agreed with him. I ended the call as I bid my good bye to him. After my long review, at exactly 12 midnight, I fell asleep.
“Invite them over our dinner, Raya.”
I glanced on my Mom. She raised a brow. “What?” she asked.
I sighed and shook my head. “Nothing. I’ll call Gabbi later.” I smiled.
“Call her now. I can’t wait for that “later” of yours.” she said strictly.
I let out a small laugh. “Chill! Okay! I’m gonna call her na.”
I reached for my phone. Nasa maliit na cabinet iyon sa aking tabi. Lahat sila ay nakaupo sa sala at nanonood ng palabas.
Iyon kasi ang libangan naming pamilya kapag walang ginagawa sa weekend or even in our free time. Wala kaming ginawa kung hindi ang manood nang manood.
Mas gusto nila iyon kaysa ibabad namin ang aming mga sarili sa gawain kapag rest days.
I dialled Gabbi’s phone. Wala pa atang limang minuto ay nasagot na nito iyon.
[What, Sol?]
“Anong what? Bakit tumawag ka?” seryoso kong tanong.
Napatingin agad sa akin si Sean, including Dad. Agad na gumuhit ang kalokohan sa kanilang mga mukha. Tila ba’y kaunti nalang ay matatawa na sila.
[Anong ako?! Ikaw ang tumawag d’yan, Sol!]
Bumulalas na si Gabbi. Napakaikli talaga ng pasens’ya ng babaeng ito. Sa tingin ko’y ako lamang ang makakatiis sa babaeng ito.
Natatawa na ako ngunit pinili kong magseryoso. “Bakit ka tumawag? Nasa trabaho ako!”
[Lintik, Sol! Ako ang nasa trabaho! Bakit ka tumawag?!]
“What the hell? Ikaw ang tumawag, Gab!”
[Anak ng! Wala akong oras para makipagbiruan, Sol. I-eend ko na ito. Marami pa akong gagawin!]
Mom glared at me. Naririndi sa mga kalokohan ko.
“Invite her, now.” She commanded.
Napairap ako saka nagkibit-balikat bago tumango at tumawa.
“I was just joking! My Mom wants to invite you and your sister in a dinner to our house. Don’t decline.”
I already warned her to not decline my Mom’s request. Hindi kasi gusto ni Gabbi na iniimbitahan siya sa isang hapunan, lalo na kung walang magandang rason.
[I am not available—]
“No! Find some time and fix your schedules Gabrielle Aia!” My Mom shouted.
[Oh, God! Tita..]
Rinig ko ang mahinang pagsapo ni Gabbi sa kan’yang sarili. Narinig ko rin ang ilang yapak mula sa kabilang linya. Tandang may paparating sa kinatatayuan niya.
[Gabrielle! You have something's to do! Ano pang tinutunga-tunganga mo riyan?!]
Boses ng isang babae agad ang narinig ko sa kabilang linya. Mabilis namang nagsalita si Gabbi sa babaeng iyon at nagpaalam na isang minuto pa.
[Okay! Okay! We’ll go! Good bye!]
She immediately ended the call and not even waited me to respond. They all glared at me.
“Oh? Does she accept my invitation?” My Mom asked.
“Yes.” I replied.
She glanced at Sean that busy watching movie. “Hey, Sean. Pick them up at 7:00 p.m.”
Agad na napatingin si Sean sa kan’ya. Nakakunot ang noo at nagsalubong agad ang mga kilag, handa na rin siyang magreklamo.
“What? Why me?!”
Gaya ng inaasahan ko.
“Don’t ever complain to me!” Mom shouted.
My dad let out a hard laugh. “Oh, man! Kawawa!”
“Tsk! Dad!” panunuway ni Sean.
I smirked playfully. “Enjoy the ride, brother!” pangangasar ko. “Tamad.”