Heritage Of Love

Kabanata 1

Brothers

El Rancho is like a paradise- where everyone wants to live. A peaceful life, a beautiful view, and all the things that everyone wants are here.

I used to admire and love this place but now? this place is the last place that I want to go to. I don't want to come back here. I hate this place so much.

At the age of ten, my heart got broken in this paradise. I can still remember how heartbroken I was. Staying here is so suffocating.

My thoughts vanished when someone opened the door. My brows furrowed.

"Don't you know how to knock?!" I asked irritatedly.

Tumaas ang kilay n'ya. "Lolo wants to see you in his office," he said lazily.

I rolled my eyes at him. He's annoying.

"Show some respect, I'm your brother," he said icily.

"Oh, really?" I acted shocked and covered my mouth.

Umirap ako bago tumayo at umalis. Yvo is so annoying. We're not even close, yeah, I'm not close with my two brothers. I didn't grow up with them I grew up alone.

I don't even know that I had brothers.

I sighed before I entered lolo's office. I saw him reading some paper works on his desk. He smiled when he saw me.

'Sit, Vida," he said.

I sat on the chair in front of his table. Hernan Lopez is my grandfather from my mother's side. He's a businessman. He runs a lot of businesses and he owns hospitals.

"How's your stay, hija?" he asked. Pinagsakop n'ya ang dalawa n'yang palad

I faked a smile. "Fine,lolo."

"You Kuya Cullious told me that you're always staying in your room. Why don't you hang out with them?" he asked.

"I'm busy, lolo and besides, the view in my room is great," I lied.

Why would I hang out with my brothers? I don't even want to talk to them. Maybe I'm bad for hating them without any reason but I couldn't help but be angry every time I see them.

"Your father said that you're taking law?" he asked.

I nodded.

"That's good. Your brothers can help you with your subjects, they're doctors but they can help you."

I don't need their help. Both of my brothers took two courses, law, and medicine.

"I'm fine, lolo. I mean... they're busy so I don't want to disturb them," I said.

He sighed. "You don't hate your brothers, right? "

Slowly, I shook my head. Lies after lies.

He smiled brightly."That's good. You should be close with your brothers. Siblings will always help you out."

I gritted my teeth. They didn't help me when I needed them the most. They never showed up when I need them. Siblings will never be there for you when you need them.

"I have a question," lolo said seriously.

I raised my brows

"Have you thought of marriage?" he asked with his serious voice.

Marriage? like having a husband and kids? Well, the truth is I want to have a kid but husband? I haven't think of it. Having a husband is way too complicated. When you have a husband, you need to cook and do everything he needs and of course, married life is boring if you and your partner don't fight.

I think., I would rather stay single than to get married.

"I can't see myself with someone, lolo," I answered honestly.

He shook his head, looking so disappointed.

"Why?" he asked.

"I want to have kids but not a husband."

"You can't have kids without a husband, hija."

I chuckled lowly. "That's what I think before, lolo. There's a lot of kids who don't have parents and need to be taken care of. I might just adopt."

Kumunot ang noo n'ya na tila hindi maintindihan kung bakit ko fustong mag ampon.

I understand him, I could have a husband and my own kids but I think it's unfair if I will have kids knowing that there's a lot of kids that need a mom.

"Having your own kid is so good, hija," he said.

I smiled. "But adopting is much good."

"Then, do you believe in marriage for convenience? " he asked.

I shook my head.

"Marriage is about love. It's a lifetime responsibility. Hindi ko gustong magpatali, lolo. I love my freedom," I said.

He sighed again. "Okay, hija. You can go now. I hope you enjoy your stay."

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto n'ya ay umiling ako. What kind of questions is that? Lolo is weird.

I was about to open the door of my room when I saw my brother, Cullious walking towards me. His hands were inside his pockets.

"Yvo wants you to come with us later," he said boredly.

My brows automatically shot up. "I'm busy."

"And Yvo don't care if you're busy. He wants you to come." He shrugged.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. "He doesn't have the right to make me do the things that I don't like." I smiled sweetly.

He sighed. "Damn this. I can't stand the both of you," he murmured.

I pursed my lips.

"Tell him to f**k off," I said. Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng kwarto ko at pumasok na.

I lay on my bed. My phone rang. Kinuha ko 'yon. Lucas is calling. answered his call.

"Hey, baby," his morning voice greeted.

A small smile appeared on my lips.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Condo. Darla and Primrose booked a flight to be with you," he chuckled.

Of course, they did. Those girls won't last a day without me same goes with my brothers.

"How about you and Lucius?" I asked playfully.

"

"We will just visit you. We won't stay long," he said.

Napatango ako. Right, they're both busy.

"Alright, then I will wait for you. I miss Canada," I pouted.

"Should I bring snow for you?' he said teasingly.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, stop with your silly jokes. How's mom and dad?"

I really want to go back there. I missed my old life. If I could just ask dad to take me back, I would. It's suffocating here.

"They're fine. Mom misses you so much," he said.

I sighed "Can you ask dad to take me back?" I asked hopefully.

"I can't. Canada is not good for you. You need to understand daddy," he said.

But this place is not good for me too. I don't want to stay here. Hindi ko pinangarap pa na bumalik dito.

"I need to go now. Take care okay? I love you."

He hanged up. I sighed.

I shifted my eyes when the door opened. Yaya Gina entered my room with a smile on her face. She sat beside me and started caressing my hair.

"Ayos ka lang ba? wala bang masakit sa'yo?" malambing na tanong n'ya.

I smiled softly and shook my head.

Yaya Gina is the childhood friend of my dad. She started working to our family when she was fifteen until now she's still working for us. S'ya na ang nagaalaga sa'kin simula nung bata palang ako. Yaya Gina doesn't have a family.

"Mabuti naman. Nag-aalala ang mommy mo sa'yo," sabi n'ya.

"You're worried about me too, right?" I asked.

Ngumiti s'ya at tumango. I chuckled and hugged her.

"Yaya, I want to go back," I whispered like a kid.

"Mas mabuti kung nandito ka. Mas magiging maayos ka dito."

I pouted. "Hindi ko kayang maging maayos dito, yaya."

"Pero Kailangan mo ito. Hindi mo naman gustong mag alala kami diba?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Nandito ang lolo at mga kapatid mo, h'wag mo silang pag damutan ng oras dahil lang galit ka," malambing na aniya niya.

I bit my lips. Yaya Gina is the most warm-hearted person that I know. Madali s'yang magpatawad kahit na hindi naman nahingi ng tawad ay pinapatawad n'ya.

I hope I can be like her. I hope I can easily forgive those people who hurt me. I just couldn't be like her. I'm a bad person who can't forgive easily.

"Tayo na sa baba, naghihintay ang lolo at mga kapatid mo," sabi n'ya at inilahad ang kamay sa'kin.

Inabot ko ang kamay n'ya ata sabay kaming naglakad pababa. Pagkarating sa din9ing table ay nakita ko ang dalawa kong kapatid at si lolo na nakaupo na sa harap ng mesa. May mga nakahada ng pagkain.

I sat in front of lolo and Yaya Gina sat beside me.

"Let's eat," lolo said.

Yaya put some food on my plate and water on my glass. I smiled at her. Napataas ang kilay ko nang makitang nakatingin ang mga kapatid ko sa ginagawa ni yaya.

"Thanks, Yaya," I said when she's done putting foods on my plate.

Ngumiti s'ya sa'kin at ang sarili naman ang nilagyan ng pagkain.

"Spoiled." I heard Yvo whisper.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"What's your plan, hija? Will you study or you will work?" lolo asked.

"I will finish this sem then after that I will work," I answered.

Tumango s'ya.

"Eh? you're working already?" Cullious asked.

Hindi ako sumagot.

Ano bang alam nila? they don't know anything about the sister. Ang alam lang nila ay ang pangalan ko. I bet they don't know my age. They didn't even bother knowing me.

"That's good, hija. Your mom must be proud of you," lolo said.

My jaw clenched.

"Yes, lolo. Mommy is so proud of me," I said seriously.

I smiled at him. I glance at Yvo, he's clenching his jaw.

"Kumain ka pa, anak," yaya Gina said.

Tumango ako at nagsimula na ulit na kumain.

"You should visit your mama, hija," lolo said softly. 

My lips parted. Napailing si Yvo at Cullious. Why would I visit her? I don't even know where she is and I don't want to see her again. 

My mom is the last person that I want to see.