Depression

CHAPTER 12

Chapter 12

Madaldal din pala 'tong pinsan ni Rehan akala ko naman ay tahimik. Andami niya ring kwento pero sayang lang at umuwi na siya kasi kailangan niya na daw umuwi dahil may klase pa daw siya bukas.

"By the way, Leigh you need to practice for your performance on Wednesday,"

Napatingin naman agad ako sa nagsalita. Ano ba yan? Rehan naman e.

"Performance? Para saan?,"tanong ko

"School fair, Leigh,"sagot niya

Ano?! Sa Wednesday na?

"Seryoso?,"tanong ko

"Yes, so you need to practice now,"seryosong sabi niya

Napanganga naman ako dahil sa naging sagot niya. Legit? Ano ba naman yan ni hindi ako ganoon kagaling kumanta o tumugtog ng instruments, alangan namang mag spoken poetry ako.

Kakanta na lang ako kahit hindi ganon kaganda ang boses ko. Bahala na si batman.

"Leigh, are you alright?,"

Jusko po anong kakantahin ko? Ay alam ko na! She Used to Be Mine na lang o kaya pwede ring Spark.

"Leigh!,"

"Pusang gala ka!,"

Required bang mang gulat?

"Ano ba yon? Kailangan bang mang gulat?,"inis na tanong ko

"Kanina pa kita tinatawag," ani Zo

"Ano ba yon?,"

"Anong oras ka uuwi?,"

Hmm? Mga 11 am pa lang naman kaya mamayang hapon na lang.

"Mamayang hapon na lang, magpapasundo ako kay Tito Ivan,"

"Alright! Then I'll go home later too,"

Napailing-iling na lang ako dahil sa naging sagot niya.

"May naisip ka na bang gagawin para sa school fair, Leigh?,"tanong ni Gavin

"Meron na,"nakangiting sagot ko

"H-hoy! Huwag ka ngang ngumiti ng ganiyan, Leigh," nauutal na sabi niya

Bat ba? Ano bang meron sa ngiti ko?

"Huh? Bakit?,"naguguluhang tanong ko

"You're so creepy," sagot ni Rehan

Ay wow! Ikaw tinatanong ko?

Inirapan ko lang siya. "Ikaw ba tinatanong ko?," Sagot ng sagot di naman siya yung tinatanong.

Nakita kong napatakip sa bibig si Gavin. "H-halla! Rehan galit si Leigh sayo!," Buti alam niyo.

"What? What did I do?,"rinig kong tanong ni Rehan bago umirap

Wow! Umirap pa.

"May sinasabi ka?,"pataray na tanong ko. "May pa irap ira ka pa diyan di mo na lang sabihin na galit ka sakin,"

"Did I said that I'm mad at you?!,"

"Oh bat ka sumisigaw?,"

"I'm not shouting!,"

"Ano tawag mo diyan sa way ng pakikipag-usap mo sakin? Soft?,"

Naramdaman kong tumayo siya sa upuan niya at lumipat sa tabi ko pero hindi ko siya tinitingnan. "Leigh," tawag niya sakin pero hindi ko talaga siya nililingon.

Nakita ko pang nagpipigil ng tawa yung dalawa pero pinandilatan ko lang sila ng mata kaya tumigil at nag kukunwaring tumitingin sa buong paligid.

"Leigh,"

Bahala ka jan!

"Leigh, look at me,"may diing sabi niya kaya napalingon ako

Galit ka na niyan?

"A-ano?,"utal na tanong ko

Nakakatakot naman kasi siya e.

"I'm not mad at you, okay?,"malumanay niyang sabi. "I don't know why you think that I'm mad at you,"

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko at kinagat ang labi ko para hindi ako mapangiti. Ang cute niya!

A-ano? Cute? Teka nga- tangina!

Hindi pwedeeeeeeeee!!!!! Yahaira Leigh!!!!!! Delikado ka na!!!!!

"O-okay,"utal na sabi ko

"Marurupok!,"narinig kong bulong ni Gavin kaya napatingin ako sakaniya at agad naman siyang nag peace sign.

Rurupok ka rin jan kay Zoanne!

"So you said you'll go home later. Would you mind if I ask you what will you sing?,"bulong nitong katabi ko

Tangina! Ramdam na ramdam ko yung hininga niya at naamoy ko din! Ang minty mga dzai! Bakit ganon? Kumain rin naman siya ng ice cream at muffins pero bakit minty pa rin yung amoy ng hininga nya? Unfair ha, akin kasi as in amoy na amoy yung kinain.

Bwisit! Leigh wag kang lilingon, nako!

"A-ano! Mamaya na lang!,"kinakabahang sagot ko

Tangina kasi! Bakit ba ang lapit lapit niya?

"Okay then, let's go? Sa music room with Zo and Gavin,"pag aaya niya

Naramdaman ko ding lumayo na siya kaya naman nilingon ko na siya. Nakita ko pang namumula yung tenga niya!

"Hey, you two! Let's go upstairs,"aya niya dun sa dalawa

Tatayo na sana kaming lahat nang biglang may nagsalita.

"Oh the love birds are done arguing again,"

What the?! Ano daw? Love birds? Kami ba yon?

"Tita Elaine pagpasensyahan mo na sila, away mag-asawa,"rinig kong sabi ni Gavin

"Anong away mag-asawa?!,"tanong ko

"You look like husband and wife while arguing, Leigh,"sagot ni Zo

Ay wow! Nagkampihan ang dalawa.

"What? I think you like each other,"sabi nya pa

Nakita niya sigurong sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Pero- ano daw? Like each other?

Napalingon ako kay Rehan kaya napalingon din siya sakin at mukhang nagkaintindihan naman kami sa isang tingin pa lang.

"H-hoy! Ang creepy niyang mga tinginan niyo,"sumbat ni Gavin

"What if I told them about the girl you like, Gavin?,"seryosong tanong ni Rehan

"P-pre! Walang ganiyanan!,"

"You better shut your mouth, Corpuz,"

"E-eto na nga,"

Tiklop ka pala, Corpuz.

"Kayong mga bata kayo,"rinig kong sabi ni Tita Thea.

Luh? Bata daw oh, 20 na kaya ako!

"Mom,"

"Okay okay, fine,"natatawang sabi ni Tita Thea

"We'll go upstairs-

"Ma'am may naghahanap po sainyo,"

"Hmm sino? Papasukin mo na siya Ate Selma,"

Pinapasok naman nung Ate Selma sa loob ng bahay yung sinasabi niyang naghahanap kay Tita Thea.

Teka! Mommy ba 'to ni Zo? Kamukhang kamukha niya.

"Mom?,"rinig kong tanong ni Zo

Oh shoot! Mommy niya nga!

"Oh hi! I'm Dra. Rayleigh Pasithea Adams, how may I help you, Mrs. Anderson?,"pagpapakilala ni Tita Thea sa mommy ni Zoanne.

"I-i'm Valeria Chen- Anderson,"

Huwwaaattt? So Chen nga talaga si Zoanne?! So Rehan and Zo are related?!

Kita kong napatitig si Tita Thea sa mommy ni Zoanne. Gayundin si Tita Elaine.

"V-valeria? C-chen?,"

"Y-yes,"

"I-iya,"

"Ate Thea,"

The heck?! So they're sisters?!

Hanggang sa nagyakapan na sila Tita Thea habang umiiyak. Napako naman ang tingin ko dun sa dalawa at hindi makapaniwala sa nangyayari ngayon!

Kahit naman din ako! Sana naman ang susunod ay malaman ko na kung sino ang totoong mga magulang ko.

"Lauriston! She's my sister, Valeria. Siya yung sinasabi kong kapatid kong nawalay sakin,"rinig kong sabi ni Tita Thea kaya napatingin ulit ako

Hanggang sa pinakilala na ni Tita Thea si Tita Valeria kay Rehan at ganon din ang ginawa ni Tita Valeria.

"Oh and one more thing," lumapit sakin si Tita Thea kasama si Tita Valeria

Nakakakaba!

"Valeria, this is Yahaira Leigh Valdez your daughter's best friend and my soon to be daughter-in-law,"

A-ano d-daw?! Tangina.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA"

Tangina mo Gavin!

"Oh hi! You can call me Tita Valeria and nice to meet you future niece!," masayang bati ni Tita Valeria sakin

"H-hello po, nice to meet you din po,"nahihiyang sambit ko

Tangina siguro kasing pula na ako ng kamatis ngayon, nakakahiya!

"HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH"

"Mom!,"

"What? Isn't she my daughter-in-law?,"

"Mom stop-

"HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA"

"Gavin!,"sigaw ko pero hindi lang pala ako dahil pati si Rehan

"Manahimik ka kung ayaw mong sabihin kong gusto mo si Z-

"Walang ganiyanan! Eto na nga tatahimik na!,"

Bwisit din 'to!

"Hey, calm down,"

"Calm down?! Paano?!,"

Ni hindi ko nga namalayang nakalapit na naman 'tong si Rehan sakin. Paanong kakalma?!

"Leigh! Calm down, okay?,"sabi niya ulit

Okay! Fine! Hingang malalim, Leigh.

"Leigh, calm down,"sabi na rin ni Zoanne sakin. "You know what Gavin? You need to shut your mouth sometimes,"

"S-sorry na nga!,"

"Okay, okay! Ayos na ako!,"sigaw ko

My ghad! Kung ano ano kasi sinasabi e.

"Mom, we'll go upstairs,"paalam ni Rehan kay Tita Thea at tumango naman siya.

Leigh, kalma lang kalma. Umalis na rin kami sa dining area at akmang aakyat na nang biglang sumigaw mommy ni Rehan.

"Before 11:30 you should be here, okay?,"

"Yes mom!,"sigaw pabalik ni Rehan

Nakakaloka! Buti na lang andito na kami sa music room.

"So, it turned out that you are my cousin, Rehan,"basag ni Zo sa katahimikan.

"Well, yeah. Hi long lost cousin of mine,"

"You should take good care of Leigh,"

Ano daw? Bakit na naman ako nadamay diyan? Nananahimik na nga ako dito e.

"Of course, I'll take good care of her,"

"Good, dahil kahit pinsan kita kung hindi mo aalagaan at mamahalin si Leigh talagang kakalimutan kong kamag-anak kita,"

What the hell? Problema nitong mga 'to?!

Kausapin ko na nga lang si Gavin.

"Psst,"

Ayaw mong lumingon ha.

"Psst! Gavin Kelle!,"

"O-oh? A-ano y-yon L-leigh?,"utal na tanong niya

"Sorry pala kanina kung napagtaasan kita ng boses nagulat lang kasi ako kanina sa mga nasabi niyo,"paghingi ko ng tawad

"Wala iyon, Leigh,"aniya

Ngumiti naman ako nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Feeling ko tuloy related talaga kami.

"Gavin, paano pala kung talagang related tayo?,"tanong ko sakaniya kaya umangat yung ulo niya at tumingin sakin. "Paano lang naman huwag mong seryosohin,"

E paano nga ba? Naistorbo ko pa ata 'to sa pag-aayos ng gitara.

Binaba niya muna yung gitara. "Alam mo Leigh? Kung kamag-anak man kita masaya ako no, lalo naman si Bianca kasi magmula nung nakita namin similarities ninyo nila Tita Elaine at Tito Limuel lagi niya akong tinatanong "Hoy! Vin paano nga kaya kung si Leigh iyong nawawalang anak nila Tita?" Pero syempre baka nga pinaglihian ng mommy mo ang Tita Elaine namin kaya ganoon. Baka kaibigan ng mommy mo talaga si Tita Elaine kaya ganoon pero kung kamag-anak ka man namin, syempre masaya yon!," Ang haba naman ng sinabi niya.

Pero may point naman siya, siguro nga masaya kung sila ang pamilya ko diba? Alam ko namang sa tamang panahon malalaman ko rin kung sino ang totoo kong magulang.

Tinanguan ko na lang yung sinabi niya dahil wala na akong masabi at natapos na ring mag-usap iyong mag pinsan.

"So Leigh, what will you sing?,"tanong ni Rehan sakin

"Ano baka yung Spark by Liza Soberano o kaya naman yung She Used To Be Mine by Sara Barailles,"sagot ko.

"Well, I know it'll suit your voice,"

"Sana nga,"

Oo nga pala! Anong oras na ba?! 11am. Asan na kaya sila Tito Ivan at Tita Aria? Nag comeback na kaya sila?

Ivan's POV

"Do you want to see her now?," Aria asked me, we we're in the mall looking for something that I can give to my daughter.

"Now? As in now? Am I allowed to?," I asked her back

I heard her laugh so I looked at her.

"Oo naman, anong akala mo sakin? Ipagkakait ko ang anak mo sayo?,"

"Malay ko Ms. Mendez, malay ko ba kung galit ka dahil sa loob ng apat na taon wala akong ambag,"

"Come on, Mr. Marquez hindi ako galit at hindi rin kita sisingilin. Okay na sa akin yung pagtanggap mo sakaniya,"

"Tingin mo ba hindi ko siya tatanggapin?,"

"Malay ko ba kung may girlfriend ka na o asawa kaya ko naisip na baka hindi mo siya matatanggap,"

Ah so she thinks that I have a girlfriend or I'm already married. Well, to be honest when I found out that she has a daughter I thought she's already married.

"Akala ko nga may asawa ka na,"

"Huh?,"

"Ah wala. Ano pa lang favorite ni Ivy?,"

"Well, she's not a materialistic kid, she's more into foods. But if I were you, I would buy a necklace,"

She raised our daughter well. I'm proud of her.

"You raised her well, I'm proud of you,"

"T-thank you,"

"So we're going to a jewelry shop,"

I will choose a heart pendant.

Naghahanap na kami ng jewelry shop dito sa mall na napuntahan namin nang biglang nagplay ng music dito sa 2nd floor.

?Nakilala kita sa 'di ko inaasahang pagkakakataon?

?Nakakabigla, para bang sinadya at tinakda ng panahon?

This is so awkward! Ni hindi kami nagpapansinan ngayon dahil sa tugtog!

?Tila agad akong nahulog nang hindi napapansin?

?Pero tadhana ko'y mukhang 'di tayo pagtatagpuin?

?Pinili kong lumayo?

?Ngunit pilitin ma'y bumabalik sa'yo?

?Ikaw pa rin pala ang hanap-hanap-parap-pap?

?At kahit magpanggap, 'di matatago na ang 'yong yakap ang

Hanap-hanap-parap-pap-pap?

?'Di nagbabago?

?Ikaw ang hanap-hanap ko?

Thank goodness nakalayo-layo na rin kamu kaya hindi na namin masyado naririnig yung kanta. At nakahanap na rin kami ng jewelry shop.

"Good morning, ma'am,sir,"bati nung guard nang nasa glass door na kami ng shop

"Good morning, kuya,"rinig kong bati ni Aria

"Good morning, manong,"bati ko naman

Ngumiti lang ang guard at itinuro kung saan kami dapat mag tanong o kaya naman tumingin ng mas magagandang jewelry kaysa duon sa displays.

Oh I see the heart pendant!

"Aria, do you think she'll like that?,"kinalabit ko si Aria tsaka itinuro yung heart pendant na nakita ko

"Of course she'll like that basta galing sayo. But isn't that expensive?,"

"Aria, I have money and I can spend all of it for my family,"

"O-okay if you say so,"

"I think rose gold will suit her just like yours,"

"It's a locket, Ivan. You can put any picture in it,"

I'll just put our family picture, soon.

"I think it would be better if we have a family picture,"

"R-right! Sa birthday niya we can take a picture,"

Nakita naman na kami nung nag a-assist kaya naman in-explain niya na rin kung paano ba malalagyan ng picture iyon.

"Ivan, I'll just take the restroom,"paalam ni Aria sakin na tinanguan ko.

I think I should give her a gift too. It could be a locket also. But I prefer a ring.

"Miss, what ring suits her?,"tanong ko sa nag a-assist

"Since she's a very lovely and simple woman, Sir. I suggest this ring,"

Itinuro niya yung napaka simpleng singsing. It looks like the infinity sign.

"I'll get that too, Miss,"I said and smile

Buti at hindi pa siya nakakabalik maitatago ko pa.

"Okay Sir, just wait a sec,"

Tumingin tingin pa muna ako dito sa jewelry shop dahil baka may makita pa ako.

Tinawag na ako nung nag assist sa akin at binayaran ko na rin yung mga alahas na yon at itinago yung singsing. Saktong nakabalik na rin si Aria.

"You done?," She asked

"Yes," I answered

"Ivy wants to see you, I guess you're having lunch in our house,"

"Really? Is your-

"Mom is not there, she left for a business trip and don't worry she's not mad at you,"

"So who's taking care of Ivy?,"

"Bianca is taking care of Ivy. Medyo malapit kasi ang bahay nila samin kaya bumibisita siya doon,"

"Oh I didn't know that you know Ms. Buenaventura,"

"Family friend,"

"Okay, let's go?,"

"Let's go,"

We we're in the car now and it's kinda boring so I played the music.

Kung minamalas ka nga naman! Kung bakit 'tong kantang 'to pa ang pinatugtog ng dj sa radio? Wala naman na akong magawa dahil pangit na ang mga kanta sa ibang radio stations.

*Playing This Time by James Reid and Nadine Lustre*

?Oh, I'm sorry girl?

?For causing you much pain?

?Didn't mean to make you cry?

?Make your efforts all in vain?

?And I apologize?

?For all the things I've done?

?You were loving me so much?

?But all I did was let you down?

Ni hindi na naman kami umiimik. This is ridiculous!

?Oh, I really don't?

?Know just what to say?

?All I know is that I want you to stay?

?This time I'm not gonna let you slip away?

?This time I'm not gonna let another day go by?

?Without holding you so tight?

?Without treating you so right?

?This time I'm not gonna let go of your love?

?This time I promise you?

?That we'll rise above it all?

?And I won't ever let you fall?

?I'm gonna give you my all this time?

Nagtuloy tulog lang ang pagtugtog nang kanta hanggang matapos at makarating kami sa bahay nila. It didn't change at all.

Calm down, Ivan. You can do this.

"Are you nervous?," Aria asked

"Kind of," I answered nervously

"Don't be nervous, she don't hate you," she smiled

As we get out of the car I heard a cute voice.

"Mommy! Mommy!,"

As I look at the cute girl running and shouting, my heart beats fast.

She's so fragile, she's just like her mom. They both have amber eyes and narrow eyes. Her lips is heart shaped and her brows is just literally perfect!

"Ivy, careful," I heard Aria warned her

I just stared at my daughter... She's very pretty.

"Prof. Marquez, good noon," Ms. Buenaventura greeted me

"Good noon, Bianca," I greeted her back

"Mommy, is he my daddy?," I heard my daughter asked her mother

"Yes baby, he's your daddy," she smiled looking at me

"Hi! My name is Ivy Rielle and I'm four! Turning five on Sunday!," She introduced herself cutely

I knelt down and caressed her cheeks. She smiled sweetly.

"Hi Ivy, I am Ivan Marquez and I'm your dad. I'm sorry if I'm not there for you and for your mom before but I'm already here,"

"It's okay daddy! Mommy explained to me everything and I understand it,"

"You don't hate daddy?,"

"Why would I hate my daddy? My mommy said that he's a loving partner to her back then so I know that you're a loving father too!," She giggled

"Ivy! Come on in," Aria shouted

"Daddy, come on I'll show you something!," She said while pulling me inside

End of Ivan's POV

"Leigh, I'm sorry about earlier," paghingi ng tawad ni Rehan sa akin nang makarating kami dito sa tapat ng bahay

"Okay lang, nasanay na ako," natatawang sabi ko

"Still I'm sorry. And be ready for your performance on our school fair,"

"Yup! I'll practice, thank you again!,"

"Good night, Leigh! And take care,"

"Good night!,"

Nag doorbell na ako at binuksan naman ni Ate Emy iyong gate.

"Ate? Wala pa po si Tito?,"tanong ko sakaniya

"Wala pa siya e,"

"Ah sige po, mauna na po ako sa kwarto,"

Asan naman kaya si Tito Ivan? Hindi pa nakakauwi hanggang ngayon. Nag date kaya sila ni Tita Aria?