The day after she came back to Manila, Leni finally decided to clean her room. Before she started, she first opened the paper bag that Aldo gave her. It contained pictures from the play, Dana’s birthday and Louie’s wedding. She opened a small envelope with a wooden rosary inside which was given by Aldo.
Then, she opened the medium sized container with bibingka .She hurriedly placed it in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling.
The doorbell rang and Leni went outside. It was Adam and Faith, but she almost didn’t recognize them because the two significantly lost weight.
“Going to the gym must have really paid off.”
“Yeah, you’re right. No one will ever call us 100 or sandwich again.”
“We missed you.Leni”
“I missed you too guys. Pasensya na medyo amoy pawis, naglilinis kasi ako.”
“Oo, alam namin. Kaya nga kami nagpunta para tulungan ka, kasi sabi ni Tita Emma, hindi mo daw kaya mag-isa.” Adam said.
“Kunwari pa kayo, pasalubong lang naman at kwento ang habol niyo sa akin.”Leni replied chuckling.
“Mabuti alam mo.Eto pa, may taga-basa na ulit ako ng horoscope. Sa totoo lang, gusto namin ulit tumambay dito” Faith broke in.
“Uy,hindi na ako nagbabasa nun ah. Teka,tama na ang bolahang ito, pumasok na tayo sa loob.”
Leni removed the cobwebs and dusts and changed her bed sheets. While Faith organized her files, Adam took charge of the closet. Adam first removed all the clothes, then wiped the cabinet with a damp wash cloth, and sprayed disinfectant afterwards. He sorted the clothes by color and size, and removed those that had not been used for a long time. Faith, on the other hand, put all the test papers, quizzes, text books and other materials that they used in college inside a medium-sized box, while all the letters and post cards that Leni received from friends and relatives were placed inside a shoe box. Lastly, all the stuffs that have to be disposed were thrown inside the garbage bag.
“Leni, when was the last time that you cleaned this place?” Adam asked
“About five years ago, after Ate Agatha’s death.”
“No wonder why this room looks like a refugee camp. Ang gulo!”
“Thanks for the compliment Adam.”Leni replied sarcastically.
While Faith was sorting the old magazines inside Leni’s study drawer, an old blue ‘Trapper Keeper’ was hidden among the pile of novels and other books. She pulled the binder and showed it to Adam and Faith.
“Leni, is this yours?”
“I don’t think so. Nobody uses Trapper Keeper during our time… Let me open it.”
It was Agatha’s during high school. The binder contained cut-outs and articles from magazines, quotes from authors and other influential people. Aside from these, was a letter addressed to Leni.
“My Dearest Cousin,
In life, you would encounter experiences or people that would make you quit. Believe me, these would actually make you grow. These articles and quotes helped me survive my struggles. I’m sure that these would help you too.
Ate Agatha”
After reading, Leni couldn’t say a word because she would never expect her late cousin would do that despite her harsh treatment on her.
“Leni, what’s wrong?” Adam asked.
“Nothing. I never thought that my cousin cares for me that much. Galit ako sa mundo that time, kaya sa kanya ko binaling. She stayed with us a few years after Dad left. I was really guilty about that.”
“Don’t worry Leni, I’m sure that she has already forgiven you. The letter proves that Agatha loves you.”
“Wag ka nang malungkot. Isipin mo na lang na masaya na siya sa kinalalagyan niya ngayon. Unfair sa kanya kung magmu-mukmok ka na lang. Maging masaya ka na lang para sa kanya.” Faith added.
A few minutes later, Gino knocked on the door invited them to have merienda downstairs. He served pandesal,pancit canton, and orange juice. While they were eating, Leni showed them the pictures from the province. Faith was stopped by the picture of Aldo and Leni dancing.
“Mukhang nag-enjoy ka dun ah. Halos lahat ng kuha mo, naka-ngiti ka.”
“Leni, I like this picture. Who’s this guy?”
“Let me see. Oh, it’s Aldo, Ate Agatha’s boyfriend, when she was still alive.”
“Okay, he seems nice. Siya ba yung kinukwento mo na tumutulong sa’yo gumawa ng project nung Grade Five?”
“Oo, siya nga.Tama ka, mabait yan, yung girlfriend lang niya ngayon yung hindi.”
Adam and Gino broke in.
“Leni, nag-uumpisa ka na naman. Wag ka nang maging bitter dun sa tao.”
“Basta,pagkatapos niya ako sigawan nung kasal ni Louie, ayoko sa kanya, period.”
“Ate, ano ba histura nung girlfriend ni Aldo ngayon? Maganda ba?”
“Oo, maganda kung maganda. Pero, mas maganda pa rin si Ate Agatha.”
“Kumusta naman si Aldo ngayon? Ano nang ginagawa niya?”
“Professor pala siya dun sa university. Nakakapag-taka lang, apat na taon ako nag-aral dun at hindi ko man lang siya nakita. Tapos, may negosyo daw silang magpi-pinsan dito sa Manila. Ngayong semester, hindi daw muna siya magtu-turo. Doon daw muna siya sa probinsya para alagaan ang Lolo niya, buong pamilya ni Aldo, nasa Austria na. Siya na lang ang naiwan dito. Kinukumusta nga pala niya kayo eh.”
“Sa susunod na punta mo, sama ako ha.”
“Oo naman. Pahingi pa nga ng juice..”
“Leni, maiba pala tayo. Nagkita kami ni Ode sa isang jobfair sa mall. Na-kwento niya sa akin na wala na si Red at yung girl na pinalit niya sa’yo, si Val.”
“Faith, paano niyo nalaman?”
“Siyempre, nakasagap siya sa isang taga-varsity. Sinulot daw ni Cocoy si Val, tapos yun, nabuntis daw. Nung nalaman daw ni Red, nag-suntukan daw sila sa labas ng isang bar. So, yun na nga, yung girl tinanggal sa cheering squad at si Cocoy,nag –leave ng isang semester.”
“So, ano yun? Karma?”
“Siguro. Pero, Leni, wag mo nang isipin yun, kailangan mo nang umusad. Alam ko masakit yung ginawa nung mga tao na yun sa’yo. Pero, isipin mo na lang na, ma-swerte ka at hindi nangyari sa’yo yung sinapit ni Val. Hindi ka cheap katulad niya noh.”
“Oo nga, tama si Adam. Nandito naman kami eh. Ang dami mo ngang kaibigan na tatanggap kung sino ka.”
“Ate, bibigyan mo pa ba ng chance si Red kung sakaling gusto niyang makipag-balikan sa’yo? Naisip ko kasi mukhang nagpaparamdam na siya nung pumupunta siya dito.parati ka niyang hinahanap.”
“Sus, guilty yun sa ginawa na kay Leni. Di ba, Adam?”
“No comment.”
Leni paused for a while before answering her brother.
“Hindi ko pa alam, kasi, masyado akong nasaktan sa ginawa niya eh. Hindi ko pa ata kayang makita siya uli, baka may masabi akong hindi maganda.”
Then, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Gino said.
To be continued....
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