Always, In All Ways (Change Series #4)

Chapter 39

"We just did that for you."

"Why do you keep on saying that? Kung talagang mahal niyo ako, dapat masaya kayo kapag masaya ako."

"Mapapahamak ka lang sa propesyon ni Gio. Kagaya ng nangyari sa nanay niya!"

"He promised, you know? He promised that he will work hard to have the power to protect me." I smiled sadly. "If you just let me read that letter, hindi sana ako nasaktan nang ganoon. Sana alam ko na may hinihintay ako. I shouldn't have questioned myself every night. I shouldn't have questioned my worth."

Mom held my hand. "Anak... don't leave us."

I shook my head. "We both need time to heal. Until you're not sorry because of what you did to me, I will never come back to this house again." I said before zipping my luggage and pulling it out of the bed.

Dire-diretso akong lumabas ng kwarto ko at hindi na ako sinundan ni Mommy. I went to Maureen's room to explain to her what is happening. Nakita ko siyang nakadapa sa kama niya at nagce-cellphone habang may airpods sa magkabilang tainga niya.

"Maui," I called.

Napatingin siya sa akin at tinanggal ang airpods sa tainga niya. "Ate?" She looked at my luggage. "You're leaving?"

I smiled and gestured her to come near me. Bumaba siya ng kama at yumakap sa akin.

"Ate will stay to Ate Addie's house for a while, okay?"

"Why?"

Bumitiw ako sa yakap ko sa kaniya. "Maiintindihan mo rin paglaki mo pero promise ni Ate, dadalawin kita rito." I smiled at her.

"Ate, dito ka na lang. Don't leave me." She hugged me again.

I caressed her hair. "I'm sorry, Maui."

I'm sorry I had to leave. I'm sorry we have a controlling parents. I'm sorry I needed to stood up to them. I'm sorry this has to happen.

I cupped her face. "Kuya Gio and I will always visit you here." I wiped her tears. "Don't cry na, baby. Babalik din si Ate."

I don't want to leave Maureen but this house is suffocating me. I needed to breath. I needed to think. I needed time to forgive.

I kissed Maui's forehead. "Don't stay up too late. Always drink your vitamins and your milk every morning. Always pray before you go to sleep. Always eat your meal and avoid too much chocolates, hmm?"

She wiped her tears and nodded. "I'm gonna miss you, Ate."

"I'll miss you, too." I smiled and hugged her once more.

I took a cab when I went to Addie's house. Wala na sina Mommy at Daddy noong umalis ako. Hindi ko alam kung saan sila pumunta.

Manong Driver pulled my luggage on the trunk. Nginitian ko na lang siya bago mag-doorbell sa bahay ni Addie.

"Gago! Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito? Kaaga mo yata, nakalimutan mo pang magpalit ng damit." She chuckled while opening her gate. Nanlaki ang mata niya nang mapatingin siya sa maleta ko. "Gago?!"

I hugged her neck and breathed. "C-Can I stay here for a while?"

Napayakap na lang si Addie sa likuran ko. "Aba'y syempre! Naglayas ka ba? Ano'ng nangyari?"

Pinapasok ako ni Addie sa bahay niya. We settled ourselves on the couch, facing each other.

"Ano'ng nangyari?"

I didn't talk. I got the letter from my bag and handed it to her. She got the letter from me and read it.

"Kailan 'to?"