RHS 1 (WGB) : CHAPTER 14 - SHE DESERVES HAPPINESS

CHAPTER 14

TANYA'S POV

"It's been five years that I haven't seen Corazon joined us in meal," Mama suddenly said in the middle of savoring our breakfast. 

Ugh! I've heard her name again! I know any minute now, I'm going to lose my appetite. It's a good thing I'm almost done enjoying my food.

"She's busy," I replied and Papa jerked his head twice. They're actually not in good terms for five long years, but I can feel that he's still really so concern about her brat daughter. "Alam mo na, masyadong nagdamdam sa breakup nila ni Silver kaya hindi nakapasok ng isang buwan sa trabaho," I continued. 

"Who's with her when she experienced that downfall?" Papa asked. Tss, as if he doesn't know, alam ko naman na alam niya at alam niya rin kung ano na ang mga nangyayari kay Corazon. 

"Of course, none other than, her best friend, 'yong tinuturing niyang kapatid kaysa sa amin," I replied. Mama looked at me as if I said something wrong. Ganyan naman siya lagi, palibhasa favorite niya si Corazon kahit disappointed siya sa anak niya at kahit hindi naman siya nirerespeto nito.

"We are her family, we supposed to be helping each other. She should have gone home after that break up so we could comfort her," Papa sternly said.

I haven't controlled myself and I let out a slight laugh. Nagbago na talaga ang ihip ng hangin. Mukhang miss na miss niya na si Corazon. Tss!

"Pa, we had been telling her that her ex-boyfriend was a jerk, but she didn't give a damn about it, so she must be embarrassed when she found out herself that her ex was really cheating on her. And knowing Corazon, she set her pride to the maximum level, five years na nga siyang hindi umuuwi dito, 'di ba? So, don't expect that she would go straight here following that breakup," Rosa said.

"But as her family, we should always understand her," he said and that made me roll my eyes in resentment.

Do we have to understand her? What the heck? Did she even understand us? No, never! Corazon has been self-centered, a perfectionist woman, but ironically, she, herself ain't perfect at all. Gosh! We don't even know why did Corazon ended up having this attitude problem when she was taught by our parents what Good Manners and Right Conduct is since she was young.

"On my birthday, next Friday, I am expecting everyone to be here at home. So, starting today, persuade your sisters, Paulie, Jannica, and Corazon to attend my special day," he then stood straight and was about to leave the dining area, but he turned his back again and looked at us, specifically me and Rosa. "If your sisters will not be here on that day, none of you will be promoted," and he finally walked away.

We looked at each other with our mouth hanging open in surprise. No one will be promoted? So, it means Rosa could still not be able to sit as the controller of the company? She'll remain as one of the company's accountant? And me? I'm still his secretary? Ugh! I'm actually getting exhausted! I want to take over the Presidential position as soon as possible.

Mom also stood up and smiled briefly. Well, she knew we don't like her favorite daughter. Tss.

"We have no choice, Tanya, whether we hate it or we hate it, Corazon must be there on Papa's birthday," Rosa said and expelled a heavy sigh in annoyance.

What else can we do? Tss. We better get ready, this ain't easy to handle, it's never easy to deal with Corazon.

CORA'S POV

"Tanya, please, I'm busy and I don't have time for your nonsense game," I said and sat back in my swivel chair.

It's been a month since the last time we've talked and it turned out to be a waste of time. Pinupuntahan lang naman kasi ako ng mga ate ko to ruin my day. Hay! Other sisters love and support each other, pero kami, it's the other way around, they always make me feel shame, and the outcast of the family.

"I'm not playing a game with you, Cora, I'm serious, I'm here to visit you," she replied, showing me her sweetest smile.

Tss. Mukha niya! Does she think I'm stupid to believe in her? Duh.

I caught Freiya grimly listening with us and he smiled when he saw me looking at him. "Labas muna ako?" he mouthed, but I shook my head in an instant.

Gusto kong si Tanya mismo ang magpakalat ng balita sa pamilya namin na may bago na akong boyfriend. For sure, magiging hot topic na naman nila ako.

"Who is he, by the way?" Tanya asked, staring straight at Freiya, with a smile across her face.

I stood up and headed on the couch, then I sat beside him. Halata namang nagulat siya, pero nanatili naman siyang kalmado pagkatapos. "My boyfriend," I said, with a shade of pride and self-confidence in my voice.

Tumayo naman si Freiya at inilahad ang kamay niya. "I'm Jared Cuesta, Corazon's boyfriend," pagpapakilala pa niya. He managed to meet her gaze calmly, but beneath it, I can see he's nervous as hell.

Tanya accepted his hand and they did a handshake, but I just can't explain the weird little smile on her face. Sh*t, I'll be honest, it made me anxious. What if she knows Freiya's real identity? Or, perhaps was it because he called me Corazon? God! Okay, I choose the latter!

"Such an eye-catching man, Jared," she said. "My sister has always been blessed when it comes to her boyfriend, ha," she further added, and this time, her eyes are already in me. "You should bring him to Papa's birthday, Cora."

Birthday? Oh, right, his birthday is on this Friday. So? Am I invited now? No, thanks! Nasanay na ako na hindi dumadalo sa birthday niya. Huling beses akong dumalo ay 18 years old pa lang ako, so that's five years ago, and after that, I already get prohibited to attend his birthday or any other family gatherings.

"Are you kidding me? Are we even fine, Tanya? Alam mong hindi, 'di ba? So, what's the point of attending his birthday and bringing my boyfriend when he doesn't even care about me? All of you!" I wanted to control myself, but obviously, I burst out! Kapag talaga pamilya o si Papa ang pinag-uusapan ay hindi ko nakokontrol ang emosyon ko.

"Cora!" her brows are now knit together, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa mga pinagsasabi mo? At nandito pa 'yong boyfriend mo. God!" she said and shook her head. I think of disappointment?

Ulol! Kilala niya ako, alam niya na kapag ako ang nagsalita lahat ng gusto kong sabihin ay sinasabi ko, hindi ako nahihiya. Do I even know that word? Tss.

"I don't want to take this too long, Tanya, so cut the crap. What is really your intention for coming here?"

Masyado nang humahaba ang usapan, pero hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano nga ba talaga ang ipinunta niya rito. I just hope she has a worthy reason, dahil kung hindi, the next time she'll come here, I'll never entertain her once more. I don't wanna waste my precious time on no-good matters.

"Actually, nasabi ko na, Papa wants you to be there on his birthday."

Hindi ko napigilang matawa. My God! She really loses her brain somewhere. Did she think she can persuade me? Never!

"Para saan?"

"Anong para saan? You are still his daughter, Cora, he wants you to be there because it's his special day, hindi pa ba 'yon sapat na rason para pumunta ka?"

"After five years maririnig ko 'yan? Do you want me to believe in you? Is that really the reason why I'm invited? Or, you guys are planning to broadcast how rebellious am I and that the four of you were the only ones who grow up so well and family-oriented?" I kept my voice calm, my gaze steady, and I held my nerve. I had to pretend that I am damn fine!

Halata namang nagulat siya sa kanyang mga narinig. Well, ngayon ko lang naman kasi iyon sinabi. Simula nang umalis ako sa bahay namin ay wala silang narinig ni-isang rant mula sa akin, pero sila, napakarami! Ang hilig-hilig nilang makisawsaw sa buhay ko kahit itinuring na nila akong hindi kasapi ng pamilya.

"Cora, I can't believe you! Ikaw lang naman ang nag-iisip niyan, eh!"

"Because it's what I feel, Tanya!"

Sh*t! Hindi ko inaakala na ngayon na ako sasabog. I just can't take it any longer, I want to relieve my burden. Gusto ko ng sabihin ang lahat para isang bagsakan lang.

"Since I was young, I always feel belittled when I'm with you, with Paulie, Rosa, and Jannica. I've been your inferior in any aspect! Beauty, brain, attitude, accomplishments, everything!" I paused, swallowed and held my head back to prevent the tears from falling in my eyes, "And for the first time that I followed my own decision, the decision I've thought that will make me superior among all of you... you've suddenly turned your back on me. Mama was so disappointed, Papa disowned me, I lose my sisters when all I ever wanted was to hear that you're proud of me. Proud kayo na kaya kong bumuo ng sarili kong negosyo, proud kayo sa narating ko, pero hindi ko 'yon narinig."

This time, I let my traitor tears fall down. I am mixed emotion, but I am so proud of myself. Finally, I speak out, at kahit papaano ay naibsan ang lungkot at poot sa puso ko. 

I released a heavy sigh when she still out of words to say. "Umalis ka na," I said in a very low voice. She gave me one last glance before she turned and finally walked away. Wala rin naman akong gustong marinig sa kanya dahil alam kong ikakamatay niya ang paghingi ng tawad. My sisters are full of themselves, they never apologize even though they knew it was their mistake.

I expelled another long, heavy sigh as I sat back on the couch. My day's totally ruined. I think I should go home and take a rest, a long rest!

"Gets ko na," I heard Freiya said while he's standing in front of me. "Kaya pala ayaw mong kinokompara ka sa iba, kaya gusto mong ikaw lang ang maganda at matalino dahil pala sa mga kapatid mo," tatango-tango pang sabi niya.

"You're right. I get tired of being compared with them and get lost in the end over and over. Kaya gusto ko na kahit sa iba man lang, manguna ako," I replied and I felt my tears fall down on my cheeks again as a smile beamed on my face.

Freiya sat beside me and wiped my tears away for the second time around. Medyo nahihiya na talaga ako sa kanya. "Masyado ka ng nagiging emotional, Bu," he said and his eyes were really giving me comfort. He then smiled at me while I felt his hand caressing my back. "Alam mo, Corazon, hindi naman talaga naiiwasan na ma-ikompara tayo sa iba, normal na 'yang gawain ng lahat. But I just want to remind you that even if they will continue to compare you with anyone else, your beauty is still special, your intelligence is still no joke, your attitude may sometimes out of bounds, but you are so kind, and accomplishments? Shuta, Corazon, hindi ko yata kayang isa-isahin 'yon," we both let out a slight laugh before he continued speaking, "Kaya 'wag mong isipin na hindi ka importante at ang liit-liit mo pagdating sa mga kapatid mo dahil sa totoo lang, God made you valuable, unique and different from everybody else, tandaan mo 'yan."

I stared at him with teary eyes and said, "Thank you, Freiya," with my utmost sincerity.

"Wala 'yon."

"Paano ba kitang mababayaran sa pagpapagaan ng damdamin ko?"

"Labas tayo."

"Huh?"

"Forget about your work, forget about what happened, I want to see you smile and hear you laugh genuinely. 'Yan na 'yong pambayad mo sa'kin."

If Freiya wasn't here, I probably have gone home, not to take a rest, but to drink myself to death alone. Ugh, he's giving me another reason again to be grateful that I've known him.

"Gora?" he asked and I nodded my head straight away. 

I deserve to be happy. Period.