Montecillo Series - Therese Montecillo ( Completed )

Rumor Arising

Therese POV

One year later

School starts this month and I am proud to say nasa third year na ako. Kuya was too, si Cristoff ay gagraduate na din from his high school. We were laughing nang papunta kami sa school. Our relationships indeed patched up.

Si Kuya at Cristoff ay mas close na sa isa’t isa due to his robotics na pinagtulungan nila. I on the other hand continued to go to school, nagsimula non nang middle of the semester. Andrew is not here anymore, kakagraduate lang niya.

I was glad that dad allowed me to go to his graduation, with Kuya of course. I saw how he was proud of himelf that time, even his parents were. Nung matapos yun, he talked to me.

He said he was gonna pursue his masteral. I was okay with it. I mean, it was for his future. But then, the next thing he told me made me still.

I don’t want to rob him the chance so I nodded. He was to study abroad. Sasama siya sa Ate niya who was going to live in the States. It was nice of him though, to tell me na aalis siya. He still considers my feelings knowing wala naman kami.

He was going to pursue on his promise. But he wants to prove himself worthy to my Dad, must be dahil sa nangyari.

I was crying back home, but Kuya held me tight. He knew what he was gonna tell me but he kept shut. Ayaw daw niyang manggaling sa kanya. But he was pleased to know that Andrew had me in his list of people to tell sa plans niya.

I said yes but he told me he will still be courting me, from afar nga lang. But he promised that once he’s back, I will be allowed to date him already. I laughed at this thought. He was stll waiting.

Walang araw o gabi na di kami nagkakausap, he was still updating me with what he is doing kahit nabubusy siya dun kakahanap ng good school for him. Madami kasi ang nagsabi ng ganito, ganun. So his plas were ruined.

Nakarating na kami sa school, I got out sa sasakyan sunod sila Kuya. Cristoff ran to his building ng mga high school while kami ni Kuya ay kapit bisig na pumunta sa buildings namin. He was going to drop me sa classroom ko before he goes to his.

Para talaga akong bata nito but I didn’t mind. Kuya was just keeping his word to our Dad. Nang makarating ako sa classroom, I waved goodbye to him then throw flying kiss na inirapan naman niya.

Tumawa ako saka pumasok na sa room. I sat on my seat then opened my book. Pinagkumpulan naman ako ng mga kaklase ko.

“Uy, bakit kayo ganun ka close?”

“Boyfriend mo ba siya?” one asked, napangisi ako.

“Gaga, kapatid niya yon. Baka mamaya kayo pagdiskitahan non, masamang kaaway yon. Alis!” saway nung bestfriend ko. Nang kami nalang sa may upuan ko, she sat next to me.

“Para naman kasing boyfriend mo yang kuya mo. Hatid sundo ganun? Pwede ako nalang?” sabi niya na ikinatawa ko. Alam ko kung gaanong kapatay na patay si Nat kay Kuya, like he considers him na hunky boy next door.

Napangiwi siya nang tawanan ko na naman siya. Umilign iling ako saka ko siya niyakap.

“Best, sa tingin ko may ibang gusto si Kuya, he has been missing every now and then.” I told her saka ako umalis sa yakap.

“Talaga?” may namumuong luha sa mga mata niya. I know how much she likes Kuya and wala akong aversion dito. Mas pipiliin ko siya sa sino man babae, kong ako ang papipiliin. But Kuya has his own choice.

“Yes, and I know it hurts but I cannot do anything. He has his own choice. Pero kung ako tatanungin, syempre iraraise ko flag mo.” Napangiti naman siya don.

“Inaaliw mo lang ako eh.” She said saka umayos ng upo and kinuha ang notebook niya.

“Nope, that’s true. That is kung ako ang pipili.” I said and snickered.

“Langyah ka talaga, bestfriend.” She said saka ngumuso.

Di na tumagal ang pag uusap namin ng dumating na si prof. It has been a dreadful 3 hours but we have to listen kasi sa susunod na meeting, a long quiz was scheduled.

Natapos ang klase namin at kapwa kami naghanda na palabas ni Nat, same pa din ang klase namin after nito kaya nagsama na kami. We were just laughing out nang may makita kaming nagkukumpulan sa gilid.

Some people were fighting and much to my shock and dismay, Cristoff was involved. Tinakbo ko sila and asked some people to help, but they were busy capturing pics or even doing a video. Naiiyak na ako kasi kawawa ang kapatid ko.

What had happened? Bakit nangyari to. It was a good thing that Kuya also passed by and nakita si Nat so lumapit siya. He stopped both the guys from fighting and that calmed me. Pero di mawawala ang mapadala kami sa guidance.

I asked Nat na siya lang muna pumasok. I was going with them, Kuya was too. I was so worried sa itsura ng kapatid ko. Mom will so be worried. Linapitan ko siya to check on his wounds but he shoved me away.

Kuya naman held him tight saka he made him stand still. I was able to check his wounds. May sugat ito sa parteng gilid ng noo saka busted and labi. Oh my, Mom is going to get stressed out.

Nang nasa guidance na kami, we sat sa lounge and waited. They were calling our parents. Both of the sides. Nasa harapan namin sila and Cristoff glared daggers at the guy. Ang tanging umawat sa side niya ay ang kanyang mga kaibigan.

But one only came with him. I was rubbing his back to calm him but he was still glaring at him. Nagbuntong hininga nalang ako. What really happened?

We waited for an hour before both parties’ parents were there. Mommy cried when she saw Cristoff while Dad patted his back. We were all shocked because that was the first time he did anything like that.

They sat in front of the table of the guidance councilour. Nagtitinginan kami ni kuya. The councilor started asking the guy across us.

“Can you tell us what happened?”

“That guy, high school palang basagulero na. Sinong mag aakala na pupunta siya sa College Department namin to just punch me. Anong kasalanan ko? Pwede naman niya ako kausapin.” He said. Accusing my brother. f**k him, hindi ganun ang kapatid ko.

“May I say something, ma’am” sabi ni Mommy.

“Go ahead, Mrs. Montecillo.”

“I am not being one sided here, but I am a mother. I know what my kids are like. I have known Cristoff his whole life to just hurt someone. He can’t hurt just anyone without reason, not even a fly. Sa lahat ng mga anak ko, siya ang kayang palagpasin lahat lahat, maliban nalang kung talagang may nasasaktan na.” Mom defended him.

“I understand, Mrs. Montecillo. But we also have a process with this, and ayon sa nakita namin sa aming CCTV, Cristoff indeed went to the College Department and sinugod itong aming Freshman,” tinuro niya yung lalake, napangisi lang si Cristoff. Dad was confused.

“What is it, son?” he asked him.

“Bakit di niyo ho itanong ang pinagkakalat niya sa boung school, not just in College kundi pati sa high school?” he was still staring at him. The guy visibly gulped. I knew it, may rason kung bakit nagkaganyan siya.

“W-wala akong alam sa pinagsasabi mo. May pruweba ka ba?” he said, a bit stuttering.

Kinuha ni Cristoff and phone niya saka nagpress ng play. Pinakinggan namin ito.

“Sino nagsabi sa inyo niyan ha? Sino?” rinig namin na sinabi ni Cristoff, he was effin’ mad.

“N-nabalitaan ko lang p-po.” Sagot nung nasa recording.

“Sino nga?!” napasigaw na ito.

“H-he’s a freshman sa College, Fine Arts Department.” Takot nitong sagot.

“Do I have to aqueeze your neck para sabihin mo ang pangalan?” he threatened.

“J-josh Ocampo p-po.” The other person replied and the guy gulped once we heard his name.

“Ano ang sabi niya ulit?” tanong ni Cristoff.

“Kaya daw w-wala ate mo sa c-college kasi b-buntis kay A-andrew.”

Lahat kami napasinghap. But I was only gone for some months. Oh my God, kaya pala ganun sila makatingin when I came back. Akala ko wala lang. I stilled a kinatatayuan ko and tears were threatening my eyes.

Bakit? May kasalanan ba ako? Kuya held me from my back.

“H-hindi ako yung nags-sabi nun. G-graduate na yung n-nagsabi nun s-sakin.” He said stuttering.

“Sino?!” Cristoff shouted na ikinagitla ko.

“Si Ms. S-sabel p-po.”

“Sabel Lagrimas?”The guidance asked.

“Yes po. Siya nagsabi samin.” He was about to cry na even his mother apologized in his behalf, dapat daw hindi niya yun pinagkalat.

“Hindi na natin maipapatawag yung gumawa nito. She is a graduate already. And base sa mga balita, she is out of the country na rin. But since ikaw ang nagkalat nito, the punishment is yours to bear, kayong dalawa. Because you caused ruckus in the area.” The councilor said, ikinatango naman ng dalawa.

Akmang magrereklamo sana ulit yung isa pero pinandilatan na ito ng Mommy niya so he shut up.

Aalis na sana kami nung sinabi ng councilor na wag nalang namin tapusin yung buong araw and take it as an absence nalang today granted by them. Lahat naman kami tumango.

We all went to our respective cars. Ours were so quiet. Kaming tatlo sa likod while Mom and Dad were beside each other.

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pag iyak ko so napahagulhol ako sa balikat ni Cristoff.

“Thank you, brother. I’m sorry you have to bear with those romours.” I cried while thanking him.

“Sorry din, I couldn’t control myself already, ilang buwan na tong issue but I kept mum. Hindi nila kasi alam ang nangyari.” He said.

Niyakap ko siya mahigpit. I saw Mom smiled as well as Dad. Alam kong natutuwa sila to see that we are protecting each other like how we should be,

“Thank you, babe, for being there for your Ate. Alam ko namang di mo gagawin ang bagay na yon without a reason, and I was right. Don’t ever change you guys in protecting each other. I will remain at peace knowing nanjan kayo para sa isa’t isa.” Mom said, a tear fell from her eye.

“Don’t worry, I will ask some students to clear out the romours. Madami na naman akong kilala sa school, I’m sure that would help.”Sabi ni Kuya, Tumingin naman si mommy sa kanya and smiled.

“Yes, babe. Thank you.” That made Kuya stiffened. Siguro hindi siya sanay sa tawag na babe sa kanya. Because Mom uses that name only to her kids or Dad.

“You’re one of my kids now, so don’t be surprised.” Mom said nung makitang parang naestatwa si Kuya.

Alex POV                                                         

Pumunta kami sa isang restaurant malapit sa subdivision ng bahay. At first naiilang ako kasi parang nakikisali ako sa isang pamilya na hindi akin.

Yes, I have my father pero minsan di ko maramdaman na anak niya ako. Yes, he talks to me but he never asks me what I feel or how am I. Just like her, my own mother.

Mas nakukuha ko pa yung mga tanong nayun kay Tita Jessie. She is not my mother but she acts like one and makes me feel she is one. Nabigla ako nung tawagain niya akong ‘babe’.

It was special to hear kasi, ang mga anak niya lang o si dad ang tinatawag nito nang ganun. I have never even heard my Mom call me like that.

Doon kami napunta sa isang malaking mesa sa loob nang isang kwarto. It was a reserved one. Siguro tumawag sila kanina while we were on the way. We did not order na but instead, we were brought different dishes from the restaurant.

Mas marami ang ulam then salad and then may cake pa. Cristoff ate happily, he said lahat nang yun paborito niya, so as Therese.

Napag alaman ko na it was a restaurant they dine in a lot of times kasi malapit lang sa bahay. I even felt more awkward, kasi halatang di ako sanay dito.

Minsan lang ako ilabas ng Mommy. Yun ay kung may ipapakilala sila sa akin na bagong kasosyo sa negosyo. She never asked me what I like, she always assumed.

That’s why nahiya ako nung tanungin ako ni Tita Jessie what I like aside sa nasa mesa. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I like shrimps and squids.

But I was thinking she was looking at me when I reached to it kanina. She even handed me the platter and told me to get some.

I did. She was smiling at me when she asked if I also wanted the fried rice na dinala palang. I said yes, and she handed the platter of rice to me.

I was feeling overwhelmed kasi for the first time, someone asked me what I want and someone was eager to make me feel accepted. Mom’s husband clearly showed his disgust of me, kaya nga hindi ako sinama sa States.

They left me here with Dad, to another family. I was wrong when I thought Tita Jessie was a monster like how my Mom painted her in my mind.

All of it was changed to that Mom who I have yearned all my life. Yes, I was given the luxuries, but it came with an exchange.

Mom told me to ask something from my Dad as a form of inheritance. I despised her after she said that. Dad and his family accepted me and even considered me as their older brother tapos gaganyanin ko sila?

I stopped talking to her the moment she said that. I know may hinanakit pa din si Mommy kay Dad but she already know how Dad wanted to be with Tita Jessie and not with her and she keeps on insisting kasi narito daw ako.

Am I an object to be used? Ganun na lang ba ako? So I stopped my communication with her and even changed my number, my social media and even the friends I have gained for the past 18 years, I dettached from them.

I know, sila nanaman ang gagamitin niya. So I am slowly pushing them away or leaving their lives.

We were all eating while talking lalo na si Therese. She was all animated sa mga romours na lumalabas sa kanya.

I texted Andrew about what happened and he was enraged. He knows who Sabel is and kahit hindi ko na tanungin, I know he will do something.

A realization hit me. I was more welcome in this family na nakilala ko lang in a short time than what I have been calling a family for the past 18 years.

I can now laugh, smile and be whoever I want to be because I felt so comfortanle with them. Although di ko pa nasasabi na I was doing something wrong.

I met again the girl that I met before, ang una kong nakasiping. It was her. Angeline. The girl who was in my mind after what we had that night. She was all I could think about. I confessed to her nung magkita kami but sadly, she was inlove with Matt.

I told her na wala na siya sa Pinas. She asked me about him and I told her everything I know. I wanted her to be mine pero hindi daw pwede, she was so inlove with Matt that I have to threatened her para lang makasama ko siya.

She comes every once in a while sa isang buwan so we can f**k. Hanggang dito lang muna, but I will make sure sa akin din siya mapupunta.

I saw their happy faces, I saw how close they are. I envy them a lot. Minsan napapa isip ako had my mother not have been greedy, ganito din ba kaya kami?

I sighed. Maybe, just maybe, I will be happy with someone in the future. Someone who can accept me as me and someone who will be proud of me someday.