Beautiful In Black

Kabanata 29

Chapter

"Life is full of unexpected turns. Marami man tayong pinagdaanan at pagdadaanan, alam kong makakayanan natin. Ilang taon tayong naghirap dito oh, ngayon nandito na tayo. It's all worth it. The hardships, the darkness.. Even when everything felt black, we still looked beautiful because we made it through. To our parents, our family, friends, our special someone, thank you for being with us along this journey. And most especially, do not forget to thank ourselves. Thanks to me, I did not give up. Considering that you are here means you didn't give up. So, congratulations! See you in the next chapter of life wherein we all achieved our dreams. 'Till we meet again."

I bowed as they all applauded after my speech. I graduated college as the valedictorian of my batch.

Dad was so happy as he waved when the graduation ended. Sinalubong ako ng yakap ni Aaron nang makalapit sila. Four years have passed and Aaron is already taller than me.

"Congratulations, Ate," inabot niya sa akin ang hawak na bulaklak.

"Thank you, Aaron." humalik ako sa kanyang pisngi.

"Ate naman, e!" ngumiwi siya.

Natawa ako at hinampas siya sa balikat. "Gustong gusto mo nga ng kiss at yakap ko dati. Nag iinarte ka pa!"

"I'm already grown!"

"You're still my baby! Always!" binelatan ko siya.

Parang hindi ako grumaduate ng college kung maka asta. Umiling iling si Dad at tumatawa.

"Hayaan mo na ang Ate mo. Graduation niya naman. Congrats, anak.." niyakap niya ako at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Siguro naman hindi ka magrereklamo, 'no?" he mocked Aaron.

"Dad!" salubong ang kilay ni Aaron.

"Nope. Never. Thanks, Dad.." I also kissed him on his cheeks.

I would never complain how my playful self towards Dad came back. Nabahiran ang relasyon namin ni Dad dahil sa nangyari. It became too hard for me to bring this back and I know it wasn't easy for Dad, too. Tandang tanda ko pa ang huling usap namin bago maging awkward ang sitwasyon namin ni Dad.

Binagsak ko ang bag sa sofa at dali daling pumunta ng kusina. Dad and Aaron were there. Hindi ko na napigilan na tanungin si Dad kahit alam kong galit pa rin siya sa akin.

"The Romero brothers are gone for a week now, Dad. May alam ka ba kung bakit hindi na sila pumapasok?"

Binaba ni Dad ang kanyang tasa sa lababo kahit mukhang hindi pa siya tapos inumin 'yon. He doesn't have any plans on talking to me.

"They said you and Tita Sherly are threatening them. Na lalayo sila kapag nag usap pa ulit kami ni Jason."

Nilagpasan niya ako at dumiretso sa hagdanan. He didn't even bother to look at me. His anger towards me seems extra today. Galit siya noon sa akin pero hindi kagaya nito.

Bumagsak ako sa kama. Binaon ko ang ulo sa unan. I'm pretty sure Dad has something to do with it. Kailan ko pa sila makikita? Sa kasal nila Dad at Tita Sherly? Should I just wait? Gaano ba katagal bago ang kasal nila?

I don't really know what's their next move pero sigurado akong pinalayo muna sila ni Dad.

"I miss Kuya Jason, Ate. All of them.. I miss them.."

Napaangat ang ulo ko ng tumabi sa akin si Aaron. I opened my arms to signal him to hug me. He didn't hesitate. He moved closer so that I could hug him.

"I know.. I miss them, too.."

Kinaumagahan, nagising ako nang wala na si Aaron sa tabi ko. Lumabas ako ng kwarto at narinig ang ingay ng mga kubyertos. I bet they're already having breakfast and Dad doesn't want me to join.