Arctic Heart [#Wattys2018 Winner]

Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Plan

Punong-puno ng pagkamuhi ang aking puso para sa aking ina dahil sa nangyaring sagutan kanina. Alam kong hindi dapat ako magtanim ng sama ng loob pero hindi ko mapigilan. Tuwing naaalala ko ang mga salitang binitawan niya ay mas lalo lang nananaig ang galit sa aking damdamin.

I hated her for underestimating Jace and thinking so low of him. I hated her more for not treating me like how a mother should treat her daughter.

"Za..."

After the soft knocks on my door, I heard my father's voice outside my room.

"Za, si daddy 'to..." sabi niya. "Please, open the door. Let's talk."

I bit my lower lip while hearing my dad pleaded for us to talk. I already knew what he will say the moment I let him inside. He will just apologize on my mom's behalf. That's not how it should be! Hindi dapat siya ang umako ng kasalanan ni mommy at humingi ng patawad sa akin. Kahit na gaano niya kamahal si mommy ay hindi dapat gano'n.

Pinili ko na lang manahimik at hindi na sinagot si daddy. I'd just play asleep already. Gusto ko na lang mapag-isa ngayong gabi hanggang sa mapakalma ko ang aking sarili lalo na ang aking pag-iisip.

Humiga na lang ako sa aking kama at saka tiningnan ang kisame. Naalala ko pa noong bata pa ako. My mom would help me put star-shaped glowing in the dark stickers on my ceiling. Madalas ko kasing pinapanood ang mga bituin sa kalangitan sa aming veranda tuwing gabi. Ang sabi pa niya'y para raw kahit nasa loob ako ng kwarto ay parang nakikita ko na rin ang mga bituin. She would also often tell me fairytale stories until I finally fell asleep.

The change in her started when I entered high school. She became strict and wanted me to be more prim and proper. Sinimulan niya na rin akong paalalahanan sa importanteng bagay na gagampanan ko paglaki. At noong nasa New York kami, doon na siya tuluyang nagbago.

Naramdaman ko lang ulit ang pagiging ina niya sa akin kahit papaano ay no'ng nakipagkita kami sa mga Ortiguera.

While I was lost in the middle of reminiscing the love of my mother that she had for me for a few moments, my phone suddenly chimed due to a message I received from Jace.

From: Jace
Zarina, this is Liana. My twin asked me to send you a message through his phone that we're already on our way home, in case you're wondering. He wants to keep you updated. He's currently driving, by the way.

The anger boiling inside me immediately subsided as soon as I read the message that Jace wanted to relay for me.

Napangiti ako at agad na nagtipa ng aking pangreply.

To: Jace
Thank you, Liana. Please tell him to drive safely and text me once you're both home.

Once the message was already sent, I went to the bathroom to take a quick hot shower and changed into my pajamas. When I was done, I found a message from Jace on my phone.

From: Jace
We're home safe. You can sleep now. Good night, girlfriend.

I pursed my lips as I typed my reply.

To: Jace
Is that what you decided to finally call me? Girlfriend?

Hindi ko pa nabababa ang aking cell phone ay agad na akong nakatanggap ng reply mula sa kanya.

From: Jace
I like it. Do you have any problem with it?

Napataas naman ang aking kilay. Mukhang tinamaan na naman siya ng kasungitan.

To: Jace
I'm just asking. Good night, boyfriend. I love you.

I didn't receive any reply from Jace when I sent that message but when I decided to send a follow up message, I suddenly received a call from him that I immediately answered.