Reckless

Chapter 20

Louis came back carrying a paper bag with Brion’s medicine.

“Do you want anything?’”

“No. Let’s just go home.” I said.

It’s now night time and I’m beside Brion, waiting for him to wake up. I smiled when he opened his little eyes.

“Hi honey….” I whispered.

“Mommy…. where’s daddy?”

Usually, kids looks for their mom when this happens, but he looks for his dad instead. It hurts me a, but it’s understandable.

“Daddy’s outside, cooking you food. Do you want me to call him?” I asked.

Umiling siya at tinignan ako.

“First time po na nagkasakit ako at nandito kayo,” He said. “I’m sorry, I’m weak mommy. You won’t leave me, right?”

Umiwas siya ng tingin. Where is this coming from? Agad ko siyang niyakap dahil nagsimula na tumulo ang luha ko.

“You’re not weak, honey. I won’t leave you. Don’t say that again, okay?”

Bumukas ang pintuan at pumasok doon si Louis. Hindi umalis ng yakap sa’kin si Brion pero nakatingin lang siya kay Louis.

“Daddy…” He called.

Bumitaw ako at hinayaan na buhatin ni Louis si Brion.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, daddy.” He smiled.

“Are you hungry?” Louis asked.

“Yes, super!” He said while nodding. We chuckled and brought him to the dinning area. Lola and tita isn’t here. I don’t know where they went ‘cause when I woke up earlier, I didn’t feel their presence.

“Do you know where did lola and tita go?” I asked.

“Ah. Pumunta sila sa kabilang bahay. I bought another house near here.” I see.

Louis loves spending money on house and lots than expensive things. I think it’s a smart decision too. It would be more like an investment and I’m sure Brion will get all of these when he gets old.

“I see.”

Lumingon ako sa phone ko na tumutunog. I looked at the caller ID. I admit, I was expecting Gio to call me, but it’s just ate Danicah.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Where the hell is Gio? I couldn’t possibly handle all of these…”

She said on the other line and I can hear the sound of papers being rumbled.

“Why?” I said.

“Anong why? Can’t you just tell me where he is? I’m struggling here!” I rolled my eyes. Here she goes again. She always does this. Akala mo naman ay sobrang hirap ng ginagawa niya pero hindi naman pala.

“My assistant is there, Ate.”

“I know, but I need Gio. He’s the only one who knows where the important papers are.”

“We fought.” I answered. She didn’t say anything for a moment.

“I don’t care. Know where he is and tell him I need him right now.”

She said and ended the call. This is why I could never open up to her. Just look how she acts. How can I possibly say what my problems are when she acts like this? She doesn’t even care about me at all.

Ganyan naman siya talaga noon pa. She was at the US when mom died. Gusto niya dun kasi nga mas maganda buhay don at nandoon halos lahat ng friends niya.

She was forced to come to the Philippines since I was the only one left here and I don’t have a family. She was blaming me that it was my fault that she has to go back here and live like hell.

“This is all your fault!” I’m crying and I couldn’t stop.

I just lost my mom and she comes at me like this. I know her and mom aren’t close, but couldn’t she at least mourn with me?

“Why can’t you just go to US? Are you stupid?” She said.

I don’t want to go with her at US. Nandito lahat ng alala ni mama and I promised that I’ll take care of everything before she died.

Ibinilin niya lahat sa’kin. Kahit na umaasa pa din ako na gumaling siya, I still agreed on everything that she told me so that she would be at ease.

“Excuse me, are you Miss Katherine Valerio?”

Lumingon ako sa tumawag sa nagtanong sa’kin. I nodded. Tumingin din si ate Danicah sakanya.

“I am. Bakit po?”

“Can I talk to you privately? I just need to discuss what your mother left to you.”

“How about me? Danicah Valerio?” Tinignan nung lalaki si ate Danicah at tumingin sa papel na hawak nito.

“I’m sorry. I can only see Miss Katherine’s name here.”

Ate Danicah frowned. I lead the guy to my mother’s study room. He placed the documents in the table and sat on the couch. I sat on the couch in front of him. “Your mother left everything to you.” He said and opened each envelope.

“Everything?” I asked.

“Yes, everything.”

“How about ate Danicah?”

“Her name’s not here, so I guess your mother didn’t left anything to her.”

Ate Danicah would be surely mad at me. She’s the type of person who gets jealous easily.

“She left you the company and all of the properties.”

He said. I looked at the papers and everything that my mother talked to me about, is here.

“All you have to do is to sign here so that it will all be officially yours. You’re at the right age, so I came to you directly and not to your sister or relatives.”

I nodded. I don’t have any choice. If I don’t sign this then my mother would surely curse at me.

Magagalit talaga ‘yon. Ipapalipat ko nalang siguro sa pangalan ni ate Danicah yung iba. I signed the papers as what he said.

“Thank you for cooperating, I’ll be your attorney from now on and be in charge of your transactions and papers.” He said as we go out of the room.

Ate Danicah is standing next to the door while listening to us. Her looks explains it all. Sigurado ako na aawayin niya na ako pagkatapos nito.

“Thank you, attorney.” I said.

The moment he left, ate Danicah walk closer to me. She snatched the documents from my hand and opened it up. She checked every paper and dropped the papers she already looked at.

Yumuko ako para pulutin ‘yon isa’t isa.

“Stop scattering them here!” I said.

“So wala talagang para sa’kin? Sa’yo nalang lahat?”

“It’s mother’s will. Siya ang may gusto niyan at wala akong sinabi na sa akin niya ibigay lahat!” Inis kong sabi.