-SHANT'S POV-
I'm blessed to have a family that loves me—but no, we're not perfect. Of course, no family is. There will always be envy, anger, and misunderstandings. Sometimes, even when you try your best, they still find faults in what you do.
Mom, Dad, and Kuya love me so much—except Nathalie. She's Mommy Meghan and Daddy Ferdinand's only biological daughter. Yes, she's the only daughter. Because me? I'm just adopted.
Alam ko, at tanggap ko naman. I know I was adopted. Wala naman akong magagawa. Mom and Dad gave me everything, kaya nung nalaman ko ang totoo, I didn't feel anger. Pero... hindi ko rin alam kung bakit may panghihinayang akong nararamdaman. Bakit ako pa sa dami ng pwedeng ampunin? Kung hindi ako ang dumating, baka hindi umalis si Nathalie.
She never liked me. So she left. She went abroad to study and work there. I just wanted to be close to her. I keep blaming myself. I should've left instead. She deserved to stay here more than I did.
That's why I cry... in silence. I don't want anyone to see me sad.
Buti na lang, Kuya Deighland is always there. He's the total opposite of Nathalie. He treats me like his real sister. Spoils me. Protects me. Tuwing nag-aaway kami ni Nathalie, sa kanya ako tumatakbo. Kaya siguro lalo akong kinamuhian ni Nathalie.
I honestly don't know what I'd do without Kuya. He's the only one who can calm me down when I'm throwing a fit. Even when I act like a brat. Maldita na, suplada pa.
Yes, I admit. I have a terrible temper. Madali akong magalit. I try to change—but I always end up overdoing things. Strangely, Mom and Dad never really scold me, even when I misbehave. Only Kuya does. And I listen to him. Because I know he's just looking out for me.
By the way—I'm Shantal Garcia. I'm 18.
"Shant, wake up!" Kuya shouted, smacking my butt with a pillow.
"Get up!" he said again while pulling my blanket off. "Malalate ka na naman!"
Ugh! Nakakainis siya! Pwede namang gisingin ako ng maayos. Bakit kailangan pang hampasin ang pwet ko?
"Okay na Kuya!" I answered, yawning.
He pulled my arm to make me sit up. "Take a bath and come down for breakfast."
Ugh. Parang mas mahigpit pa siya kay Mom!
After I got ready, I headed downstairs for breakfast.
"Shant, kumusta ang school mo?" tanong ni Mom habang nagsasandok ng kanin sa pinggan ko.
I kissed her cheek before answering. "Okay naman, Mom. Medyo nakakapagod lang. Ang daming activities."
"Basta, bawal muna ang boyfriend ha!" Dad reminded.
"Ako muna ang liligawan ng manliligaw mo bago ka niya ligawan!" dagdag ni Kuya habang kinukurot ang pisngi ko.
"Kuya naman! Tigilan mo nga yan, para akong bata!" reklamo ko.
They all just laughed.
"Hurry up, Shant. We're leaving," Kuya said, standing up and heading out.
I quickly finished eating and followed him.
At school…
"Shant! Good morning!" bati ni Jane, my best friend.
We went to class together. Pagdating ng break, sabay kaming pumunta ng canteen.
While walking, she suddenly spoke.
"Shant, ang bait ng kuya mo ha! You're so lucky!"
"Of course," I answered, smirking. But I noticed she was blushing.
"Ang cool niya, tapos parang may pagka-cold din. And pogi pa! Ilang taon na ba siya?"
Tsk. Nagpapa-cute pa 'tong si Jane, ha?
I stopped walking and rolled my eyes. "He's 25. Medyo bata pa para maging GM ng company. That's why he barely enjoys being single."
"You mean… SINGLE pa siya?!" she squealed like she just won the lottery.
"Yes." I casually draped an arm over her shoulder as we walked. "Ayaw pa niya ng girlfriend."
"Wow! Ang swerte naman ng magiging GF niya!"
Girlfriend? Kung magka-girlfriend si Kuya, baka hindi na niya ako pansinin. Pero wala rin naman akong karapatang pigilan siya kapag dumating na 'yung araw.
Ano ba 'tong naiisip ko?
"Hoy! Bigla kang natahimik," Jane said, nudging me.
"Huh? Wala. Let's go."
But honestly… ayoko munang magka-girlfriend si Kuya.
After school…
I waited for Kuya. It was already 5 PM. Wala pa rin siya. I called his phone, but it kept ringing.
Almost 30 minutes passed. Nakakainis na. Napapagod na akong tumayo. Even the school guard was getting ready to leave.
So I decided to get a taxi.
Seryoso, Kuya? Ni hindi mo man lang ako tinawagan?!
Pagdating ko sa bahay, nakita ko si Jake—ang epal kong pinsan—sa bintana. At may kasama siyang babae. Ah, ganun? May bisita pala?
Padabog akong pumasok. Naiiyak na ako sa sobrang inis.
"I'm here, Mom," I greeted coldly, but my eyes were locked on Kuya.
"Shant, join us! Bakit ngayon ka lang?" tanong ni Mom.
"Ayoko, Mom! Gusto ko lang magpahinga. Napagod ako sa kakahintay sa labas ng school! At hindi man lang ako tinawagan ng dapat sumundo sa'kin. Busy pala siya sa bisita niya!" I shot a sharp glare at Kuya.
"Sha…" Kuya tried to speak but I stormed upstairs and slammed the door.
I broke down crying.
Yes. Ganito ako magalit. I cry. I sulk. I shut everyone out.
Then I heard footsteps outside my door. Knock. Knock.
"Shant, open the door… please. Sorry, nakalimutan kitang sunduin," Kuya said.
I ignored him.
Wala akong pakialam. Late ka na nga, ngayon mo pa ako kinausap?
-DEIGHLAND'S POV-
I'm not a perfect brother. I've failed in some ways. Nathalie left. And I couldn't stop her.
I love both Nathalie and Shant. But since Nathalie left, my attention shifted to Shant. She needs it more. I've seen her cry. I've seen her blame herself.
I don't want to lose her, too.
Yes, she's suplada and maldita, but I'm the only one she listens to. Maybe because she knows I genuinely care. Maybe because I never scold her the way others would. Though lately… she's testing my patience.
After dropping her off at school, I went to work. Two months ago, Dad made me GM. I'm young, but I can handle it.
Then Jake—my annoying cousin—came in.
"Hi bro! Let's grab coffee!"
"Busy ako, Jake."
"Eh, may ipapakilala sana akong maganda…"
Jake again? Seriously?
"No thanks."
Eventually, he brought Beatriz—our childhood friend. We talked, had snacks at home, and I completely forgot to pick up Shant.
Lagot ako.
At quarter to 6, Shant barged in, ignored me, and stormed upstairs. Galit siya. Sobra.
I followed her. Knocked.
"Shant, please open the door…"
Nothing.
Mom tried next.
Downstairs, Beatriz commented, "So she's your sister? She's pretty… but you don't look alike."
"She's adopted," I explained. "Since she was five."
Jake chimed in, "Spoiled brat, actually."
I glared at him. "She's not spoiled when she's with me."
"Exactly. Spoiled because she's with you," he teased.
I stayed quiet. Maybe Jake has a point. Maybe I'm too soft on her.
"Hayaan mo siyang matutong maging independent," Beatriz added.
Maybe they're right.
But I just want her to feel safe. To feel loved.
Still… tonight, I'm tired. And I'm almost out of patience with her drama.
I'll talk to her tomorrow.
But... how can I make her forgive me?