Her Last Wish

Chapter Two

Chapter 02

Aia’s life is far different from Jane. May pamilya siyang inuuwian pero hindi niya maramdaman na parte siya nito. Kaya maging ang pag-aaral niya at pakikisalamuha sa iba ay nagiging complicated. 

“I have never been in such a mind-draining lecture in my entire life!” Aia breathed out before taking a bite from her lunch burger. 

An hour has passed since their research class has ended, pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin  maka-move on si Aia sa discussion ng professor. Napaka-advance kasi ng teaching strategy na ginamit nito, plus may pa-surprise quiz pa! 

They were currently inside the student council office, eating lunch. They usually have lunch at the university cafeteria, pero wala raw sila sa mood makipag-agawan ng tables. And besides, Jane needed to use the printer. Habang naghihintay na matapos ang kanyang pini-print ay naisipan muna ni Jane na kumain ng lunch. Agad naman siyang napabuntonghininga nang makita ang punong lunch box na ipinabaon sa kanya ng ina. 

“How am I supposed to finish this much?” tanong niya sa hangin.

“By the looks of it, I’ll guess your mom was the one who packed that.” Aia chuckled. “Your mom does love you very much, and that lunch of yours is the proof,” she added.

Muli namang napabuntonghininga si Jane. “I’m thankful for that love, but sometimes I wish mom would tone it down a little.”

“Alam mo bang dahil lang sa nahulog ang file case ko sa hagdan ay plano niya nang ipa-foam carpet ’yung floors?” she expressed with disbelief. “I get that mom just wants to protect me, but gosh… I’m turning eighteen, yet she still thinks of me as a child.” She sighed.

“You should be thankful that you have parents like them.” Pag-iwas tingin ni Aia sa kaibigan. “I wish I could say the same for myself.” She sighed.

Saglit namang natigilan si Jane dahil sa sinabi ng kaibigan. Jane has known Aia long enough to the point that she can see through the challenging and bitter facade that was masking her vulnerable self. 

Back in kindergarten, all of their classmates were scared of approaching Aia. Only Jane dared to approach Aia, the kid who always had a scowling look plastered on her face. Lagi itong nagtataray at nakasimangot. She also wasn’t the type to share her toys with others. 

Napapikit nang sandali si Jane at muling inalala kung paano sila nagkakilala ni Aia.

Thirteen years ago . . .

Jane was very enthusiastic about going to school. She did not cry like her classmates. She has always been a polite girl.

The teacher enthusiastically greeted the class. The class greeted back in unison as they stood up from their seats and smiled at the teacher. All did, except for one - Aia, the little girl who sat at the back. 

Given that this is not the first time it happened, the teacher allowed the girl to have her own space. No’ng unang beses sinubukan niya itong kausapin pero dinedma lang siya nito.

The teacher replied, thank you and waited for the children to settle down on their chairs. Masiglang ang guro na ikinatuwa naman ng mga students. They were asked to get their own partner. Dali-dali namang nagsitayuan ang mga bata para maghanap ng partners. Most of them chose to be partners with the ones that they were already close with. Jane, on the other hand, had her eyes on Aia. 

The young Jane smiled, at bago niya nilapitan si Aia ay kumuha muna siya ng cookies sa mula sa kanyang lunch box. Then walked towards Aia’s direction. Nakangiting binati ni Jane ang batang si Aia saka pinakiusapang maging partner. Sandali namang ibinaling ni Aia ang tingin sa batang si Jane. And as expected ay pinag-taasan niya lang ito ng kilay. She doesn't want to be friends with anyone. 

Aia spoke before shifting her attention to the cookie that was on her desk. Ang buong akala ni Aia ay tatantanan na siya nito. Ganito niya lagi tinatrato ang mga lumalapit sa kanya. So far, this trick was a success — everyone stopped trying to befriend her. Kaya naman laking gulat niya nang nakitang nakangiti pa rin si Jane. 

Jane was determined to become Aia’s friend, while Aia was busy planning to shoo her away. But as years passed by, things began to change. Aia started to open up to Jane, and they grew up to be best friends despite being each other’s opposites. 

Until now, Aia went home straight after class just how she would always do.

While she was currently inside her bedroom, lying on her bed while staring at the plain and boring ceiling. She then released a sigh as she lifted her arm to check the time on the wristwatch that she was wearing. Mag-a alas-otso na, but she still hadn’t eaten dinner.

She could feel her stomach growling in hunger, pero wala naman siyang choice kundi ang tiisin iyon. She tried to distract herself from thinking that she was hungry by scrolling through her social media accounts. But she ended up regretting it as her newsfeed was full of photos of delicious food. Mas lalo pa tuloy siyang nagutom.

She then tossed her phone to the side up her bed before she sat up and looked at her study table.

“Siguro may ni-refill ni Nanay Ising ‘yung secret food drawer ko?” she mentally asked herself as she stood up and walked towards the table to check on its drawers.

Her eyes then shined with glee when she spotted a few snacks hidden in one of the drawers. She stared at it for a while and thought of how Nanay Ising secretly snuck these snacks for her. Nana Ising is her nanny — she was the one who looked after her ever since she was a child. Nana Ising even left a small handwritten note. The gesture made her heart feel warm. 

She then bit her lower lip as small tears started to form on the side of her eyes.

“Mukhang matatagalan akong i-akyat ang dinner mo dahil sa pa-party ng Papa mo. Kainin mo muna itong dalawang tinapay. – Nana Ising.” After reading the note, Aia could no longer hold the tears back.

When others were free to request food and eat at the table with their families, Aia, on the other hand, had no choice but to stay in her room and hide from others as Mr. Salazar’s order, Ais’s biological father. 

Aia is a product of her father’s extramarital affairs, and he hates her for that. Kung hindi lang dahil sa kaniyang lolo at lola ay baka matagal nang naging palaboy si Aia. Alberto was forced to take her in because his parents threatened to disown and deprive him of his inheritance if he wouldn’t do it. And since Alberto’s greed for money was far greater than his pride, he allowed Aia to live with his family, but it came with a price – Aia is not allowed to join them to eat any meal of the day nor be seen by any of his guests whenever he throws lavish parties. And if it weren’t for Nana Ising at Tatay Celio ay baka matagal na siyang nanigas sa gutom.

After a minute of crying, Aia wiped her tears away using the back of her hand. 

"Hindi malulutas ng pag-iyak ang mga problema ko. Hindi ako mabubusog ng mga luha ko," she mentally said to console her aching heart.

Having to live like this somehow made Aia wonder a lot. Often, she would cry herself to sleep, asking when her struggles would end. And then she’d ask herself:

What do I need to do to be half as good as Jane?