Episode 16
1076 Words
"Aurora!" tawag sa akin ni Matteo.
Parang sasabog na ako sa galit habang papasok pa si Matteo sa bahay. Ang amoy ng lemon, hindi man lang nakakatanggal ng inis ko.
"Pwede ka bang mag-effort kahit minsan? Magluto ka ng makakain ko," sabi ni Matteo, punong-puno ng sarkasmo.
Humarap siya sa akin, naghahanap ng sagot sa mga mata niya bago ako tumayo. Kinakabahan ako habang hinahawakan ang basahan.
"Matteo, wala akong alam sa pagluluto," bulong niya ko.
"Ano?! Hanggang ngayon, hindi ka pa rin marunong magluto?!" sigaw ni Matteo.
Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko sa mga sinabi nito.
"Why don't you order someone else around? There are capable people here, you know! I've never been good at cooking, and you know that!" inis na sagot ko.
"Well, you better start learning fast because you're going to cater to my every whim from now on!" Matteo shouted, slamming his hand down on the table to emphasize his point, causing the cutlery to clatter.
"Put yourself in your place if you don't want me to kick you out!" Matteo threatened me before storming out to his room.
Matteo's POV
"Mrs Jane!" I called out to the housekeeper, my anger still simmering.
"What's the matter, Matteo?" she asked, walking in from the garden.
"Gusto kong bantayan mo si Aurora at turuan mo siyang magluto. Siya na ang magluluto ng pagkain ko mula ngayon!" utos ko, hindi pinapansin ang hirap ng gawain.
"Pero Matteo, mahirap turuan magluto si Aurora. Matagal bago siya matuto. At alam mo naman na hindi sya sanay sa mga gawaing bahay." pilit na pinapaliwanag sa akin ni Mrs. Jane.
"Wala akong pakialam. Hanggang sa matuto si Aurora, makakakain lang siya ng isang beses sa isang araw," matigas kong sabi, determinadong parusahan siya dahil sa kawalan niya ng kakayahan.
"Matteo, masyadong malupit 'yan. Baka magkasakit siya kung hindi mo siya pakakainin ng maayos," protesta ni Mrs. Jane.
"Wala akong pakialam. Kung gusto ni Aurora kumain, dapat matuto siyang magluto," ungol ko bago nagmartsa papunta sa kwarto ko, ayokong marinig pa ang mga reklamo niya.
"Matteo, kailangan nating mag-usap," sabi ni Aurora, may determinasyon sa mga mata niya habang sinusundan ako sa kwarto ko.
"Ano na naman ba 'yan, Aurora?" tanong ko, naubusan na ako ng pasensya.
"I won't let you starve me or treat me like a servant," she said, her voice steady despite the trembling in her hands.
"Oh really? And what do you expect me to do then? Allow you to be a burden on me? I'm already paying for your expenses!" I shot back, my anger reaching its peak.
"Maybe if you weren't such a burden, I wouldn't have to resort to this!" I sneered, my anger spilling over.
Aurora's face flushed with hurt and anger. "I never asked for your charity or your condescending attitude!" she shot back, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Well, it's not like you have any other options, do you? An orphan with no money, you're lucky I even let you stay here!" I spat, not holding back my resentment.
"You can say whatever you want, Matteo. I'll prove to you that I'm more than what you think," she said, surprisingly calm despite the hurt in her eyes.
"Prove it? How can someone like you ever prove anything?" I mocked.
"I'll show you. I'll become someone who doesn't need your approval or your help," Aurora said, her determination unwavering.
I laughed, a bitter sound that echoed in the room. "Good luck with that. You'll never be more than a charity case," I taunted.
"You can't even get along with the other maids. You're still as snobbish as ever, even though you're penniless. I guess a snob like you can't hide who you truly are," I said with a smug grin.
"And what do you care, huh?! I'm not even on the same level as them! If you hadn't stolen our wealth, I'd still be rich and living in our mansion!" she retorted, her voice on the verge of tears.
"Oh, really now?! That's a difficult accusation, Aurora. I could have you thrown in jail for what you're saying!" I threatened, enjoying the fear in her eyes.
Aurora's shoulders slumped, and she took a deep breath to control her emotions. "I may not have concrete proof, but I know what you did," she said, her voice surprisingly steady.
I laughed mockingly, not wanting to admit that her words hit a nerve. "You think you know everything, don't you? Just because you've lost everything doesn't mean you can accuse me of such things!" I scoffed.
She glared at me, the hatred in her eyes matching mine. "I'll find a way to prove it. Just wait. You won't get away with what you've done," she said, her voice full of determination.
"Prove it? You're nothing but a delusional, penniless orphan! No one will believe a word you say," I sneered, my hatred fueling my words.
Aurora's face reddened with anger, but she refused to back down. "I may not have wealth or status, but I have integrity. Something you'll never understand," she shot back.
"You're nothing but a nuisance. I regret ever allowing you to stay here," I spat, my words dripping with venom.
"And I regret ever crossing paths with someone as heartless and cruel as you!" she retorted, her voice breaking with emotion.
I turned away, not wanting to see the pain in her eyes. "Stay out of my way, Aurora. You're not worth my time," I said coldly before storming out of the room, leaving her to grapple with my harsh words.
However, buried beneath the surface of anger and resentment, an undeniable twinge of guilt persisted within me.
Despite my efforts to push her away, Aurora's determination never wavered.
I tried to keep her at arm's length, but her relentless pursuit chipped away at my defences.
Aurora's strength and resilience were admirable, as much as I hated to admit it.
Despite her hardships, she refused to be defeated, which irked me even more.
But as the days turned into weeks, I noticed a change in Aurora.
One day, as I was passing by the kitchen, I couldn't help but overhear a conversation between Aurora and Mrs Jane, the housekeeper.
"Mrs Jane, I know I'm not your favourite person, but I need your help," Aurora said earnestly.
Mrs Jane sighed, her face softening with sympathy. "Aurora, it's not that I don't like you. It's just that you and Matteo..."
- Writer
