Chapter 2

Alyona's POV

Exactly 1:00 pm ng pumunta ako sa sinasabing kaibigan ni Angelie which is dito sa school na to. Usapan namin 1:00 pm pero halos 30 minutes na akong naghihintay dito sa labas ng isang school, gandang kausap ng kaibigan ni Angelie. Yung 'OTW' na ang text pero kaninang kanina pa wala, para na akong tanga dito na nakatayo habang naghihintay sa gilid.

Habang naghihintay sa may gilid, unti unting dumadami ang naglakakad na mga estudyante sa harapan ko. Isa isa kong nakikita ang mga teenager student with their formal uniforms na nagsisipasukan sa school, halatang mga responsible ang mga batang to. Napatingin ako sa selpon ko ng nag-vibrate ito.

From: Kristine

Ikaw ba yung nakatayo?

Napatingin ako sa paligid, nasaan kaya ang babaeng yun. I keep on searching everywhere when suddenly I saw a lady, a lady in a dress nakatungo sya habang may kinakalikot sa selpon, maybe that's Kristine. I was about to wave my hand when a student accidentally bump my hand that I was about to raise, dumeretso lang yung estudyante without looking back.

"Uso pala walang lingonan dito kapag nakakabangga, pshh" I just glared and look back to the lady in a dress, nagtaka ako ng wala na sa pwesto yung babae kanina. "You must be Feathania" I smile when she mentioned my name. "And you must be Krsitine" we did a shake hands and formally introduce ourselves to each other.

"So, mind if we take a walk?" biglang tanong nya na ipinagtaka ko. "Saan tayo pupunta?" "Sa isang coffee shop malapit dito, there" napatingin ako sa itinuro nya, nakita ko ang isang nagnining-ning na mga tiles ng isang coffee shop, it's like a diamond tiles used that shines kapag nasisilawan ng araw. Not bad, for sure maraming dumadayo sa coffee shop na yun.

"By the way, bago ko makalimutan anong passport mo? Pinoy or...." "Pinoy passport, bakit mo natanong?" balik tanong ko sa kanya. "Angelie said you came from US and stayed for 5 years so maybe you're an american citizen already, sa school kasi na papasukan mo they'll ask for your travel history and passport at mabuti nalang pinoy passport mo" napa 'ahhh' nalang ako, kakaupo lang namin dito sa mesa namin.

This coffee shop didn't disappoint me, mula labas hanggang dito sa loob ang ganda. It's an italian style and all the things inside is in good place, di rin ganun kadami ngayon ang tao dito sa coffee shop kahit 2:00 pm na, baka gabe dinadayo tong coffee shop noh.

"Oh, ba't nandito ka pa? Di ba may susunod kang class?" biglang nakuha ang atensyon ko dun sa kararating lang na babae ng magtanong ito dun sa isa pang babaeng nakaupo sa isang mesa, pareho sila ng uniform pang teacher? Di ko sure pero parang pang teacher ang uniform nila.

"Di ko yata kakayanin pumasok ngayon sa classroom nila, eh makita ko palang building nila parang mahihilo na ako sa takot" sagot naman nung isang babae, Kristine cough when she notice me looking at the two woman talking. "Do you know what's their special menu?" she ask na ikinatingin ko sa kanya, napatingin naman ako sa menu and shake my head.

"Their special menu is 'Energiegetränk'" nagsalubong naman bigla ang dalawa kong kilay, she has the accent of a German when she said that and there I saw what she is talking about. "Energiegetränk? What does it mean?" I ask her dahil di ko naman kasi alam ang ibig sabihin ng word na to.

"Everyone who works in the school needs this special menu and Energiegetränk means Energy Drink" sagot nya kaya napa 'ahh' ako but then I ask again. "Why Energy Drink? Di ba parang napakasimple at walang thrill ng special menu nila" "A certain person named the special menu and that person own this coffee shop, no one dare to ask a question about the special menu"

"That's weird" sabi ko at tinignan ulit ang word, tumingin pa ako sa ibang nakasulat. Karamihan normal lang ang words pero ito talagang special menu ang naiiba, pero di na rin masama since mukhang masarap naman sya sa picture. Di ko lang knows kung ano lasa pag matikman ko na.

"Excuse me" I nod when her phone rang, tumingin tingin muna ako sa buong paligid and then I look outside since malapit ang mesa namin sa salamin, kitang kita ko ang labas, kita ko rin ang mataas na pader ng school na papasukan ko. No one can ever climb that wall, sa taas ba naman for sure walang mag-gugustong umakyat at maghirap para mag-cutting class.

It was a peaceful afternoon outside when a pair of shoes suddenly appeared in the wall, sa pader ng school. I don't know if I'm mistaken kaya napatingin ako kay Kristine, she's still busy talking in the other line kaya di ko sya maistorbo. "Here's your orders, thank you" sabi nung waiter at nilapag ang mga inorder namin sabay alis, I look at the wall again thinking it was an imagination and there I saw a student climb up the wall.

Di ko makita ang mukha kasi nakatalikod and then another student appears, di lang pala dalawa kundi apat sila, dalawang lalaki at dalawang babae. Dahan-dahan at isa isa silang nagsi-baba mula sa pader without even turning their faces to my side, "Kri-kristine--" itinaas nya ang isa nyang kamay na parang nagsasabing maghintay ako, busy kasi ang lola nyo sa kausap nya. "Yes, I am with her right now"

Rinig kong sabi nya pero di ko sya pinansin kasi ayun na nagsisialisan na yung mga estudyante, pero bakit yung dalawang babae di naka uniform? Estudyante ba sila ng school? Sinundan ko sila ng tingin hanggang sa nauntog ang noo ko sa salamin, kingina di ko man lang nakita ang mukha ng apat na yun. "Are you okay? Anong tinitignan mo sa labas?" Kristine suddenly look outside kung saan ako nakatingin.

"Di mo napansin?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Ang alin?" she ask and even stand to look outside. "Ang ganda mo pero bulag" pabulong na yung last kong sinabi, natawa naman sya at tinapik ako na parang totoo.

Pero sa totoo lang she's really pretty, she has a wide and pretty smile, samahan pa ng di ganung kataas na ilong with a puffy eyes. Mahaba buhok nya, feeling ko kaka-rebond nya palang kahapon, it looks shiny and straight. She look 30+ but still manage to look like a young and beautiful lady, she looks presentable in a matured way.

"Maganda ka rin naman noh" sabi nya sabay ngiti, aba makangiti naman parang di sincere pagkakasabi nya nun ha. Ansakit ha, I just smile and take a deep breathe. "Anyways, I'll start asking you about the requirements you need to get in the school" I nod as I sigh again. Nilabas nya ang isang maliit na notebook.

"Do you have any papers or documents with you right now or in your con-- house?" di ko pinansin ng ibahin nya ang last word na sinabi nya. "Ahmm...." qaqi, sabi ko na kailangan talaga documents para makapasok ng trabaho. "If you don't have, it's okay" gulat akong napatingin sa kanya while sya nasa notebook lang ang tingin.

"What do you mean?" takang tanong ko. "Well, I will not based on papers and documents . You're graduated or not, I will accept you--" "I am graduated with a degree--" "It doesn't matter to me, as long as you know what job you are entering and as long as your capable of doing the job good" I nod when she ask me through looking in my eyes. "So, am I hired or--"

"Do you have your passport with you right now?" tanong nya ipinagtaka ko bigla, bakit nya naisingit ang passport ko sa trabaho? "Huh? Passport ko?" tanong ko. "Angelie didn't tell you about it?"

Di ako nagsalita at tuloy lang sa pagtataka, she chuckles and "Don't worry, hindi ako scammer or ano. The school will be needing your passport, the school has a strict condition for the people who has travel history. Tsaka, it serves as your only requirement to get hired" mas lalo akong nagtaka dahil sa sinabi nya.

"Anong kinalaman ng passport at travel history ko sa pagpasok ng trabaho?" "Do you have any plans on going back to States?" tanong nya at biglang inilabas ang isa pang maliit na notebook.

"Because if you will, we won't accept you. We need a full time teacher who'll gonna stay until the contract ends, it's a one full time offer. The salary is 100k a month, 50k in the middle of the month. Pwedeng mas tumaas pa ang sweldo mo if you will maintain a good performance, it's actually an easy requirement for you" sabi nya sabay tingin sa akin ng expressionless.

"This is why it's easy to get in and work in the school but the conditions and contract must apply aswell, we accept anyone but we also have ONE important requirement. I may sound an easy person earlier but I am giving you one requirement only, the school will keep it until your contract ends at kung ayaw mo ng ganung condition then.... Wala akong magagawa kundi ang maghanap ng ibang pwedeng ipasok"

"Why my passport? I mean, I can give you my papers and documents about my degree--" "Miss Pareda, you're smart enough to know which is the easy way to get in the school. Kung gusto mo talagang mahirapan pumasok sa school, I can give you the hard way you want. You have to ready these papers tomorrow" she said and give me a one half lengthtwice paper mula sa maliit nyang diary, nakita ko ang sobrang daming documents at kung ano ano pa.

"Bukas agad?!" medyo gulat kong tanong, this is insane. Mahigit 20 documents and papers ang nakasulat at kailangang bukas agad? Dinaig ko pa ang nagcocomply na estudyante nito noh. "That's why it's good for you to choose the easy way" "Pag passport ba ipinasa ko, pasok agad ako at makakapagsimula at makakasweldo even near the end of the month?" "Oo naman, you have my words. Makakasweldo ka ng buo, walang kulang, walang labis"

"Pero bakit ba passport ko?"" "Because that's what I see as important to you" nagsalubong naman bigla ang dalawa kong kilay dahil sa sinabi nya. "My passport? Importante sa akin?? No way" sabi ko at tumawa ng fake. "Then why is it hard for you to give it as a requirement?"  she's freaking right, mahalaga naman kasi ang passport ko sa akin.

"What are you in that school? Bakit pag magsalita ka parang siguradong sigurado ka? Are you the principal--" "Nope, I am the one who got the position as a recruiter of the school" "Ba't parang andali lang ng requirement ko? Hindi ba, isang luxurious and expensive school ang pinapasukan mo? Di ka ba natatakot na baka wala akong maituturong maganda sa mga estudyante dyan? O di kaya, I'm a low standard person--"

"Angelie recommended you, so I trust Angelie since you are her best friend. Tsaka, I am pretty sure you are well-experienced and professional even if your profession is not being a teacher" napa-nganga ako ng konti dahil sa sinabi nya, she really is amazing. The way she talk and the way she look at me, she's really professional.

That school has really high standard and professional employees, di ko pa man din nakakasama at nakakausap ang ibang teacher sa loob ng school, alam ko ng mga professional sila dahil kay Krsitine. "So, do we have a deal?" bigla syang tumayo at naglahad ng kamay, tumayo na rin ako at nagdadalawang isip na kunin ang kamay nya. This is a one time opportunity, masyadong malaki ang sweldo para palampasin ko ang opportunity na to.

All she needs is my passport, pero baka di ko kayaning mag-stay o mag-focus sa school. I can't just focus on the school, I have a lot of things to do also but I also can't miss this opportunity, but I can't also miss my passport, anytime soon I need to go back to States to check on Wyatt--

"Miss Pareda?" nabalik ako sa ulirat when she called my last name, I laugh as if I really mean to laugh. We shake our hands and both smiles as if we made a deal. "It's a great pleasure talking to you, I like your curious mind but I hope next week pagpasok mo di mo ko hanapin agad" "Thank you so much, it's a pleasure to me aswell talking to a professional like you?" she smiles wide and nod. "How about my passport?"

"Dalhin mo passport mo at dumeretso ka ng principal's office next week, someone will welcome you there and be sure not to throw any questions about giving your passport to the school. Lahat ng tinanong mo kanina should not exist in the principal's office, you should act like a willing and excited one"

"Thanks for the tips, di ko makakalimutan ang mga sinabi mo. Tsaka, thanks for the treat aswell" "No problem, I just want you to be strong and patient so you can control everything inside that school" nang magkahiwalay ang mga kamay namin ay nagsimula na syang kunin ang mga gamit nya. "I'm really thankful from earlier until now, you really help me a lot. How can I pay you back in time?"

"When the time comes, I'll make you realize this job don't suits you" may binulong pa syang kung ano kaso di ko na narinig kaya di ko nalang din pinansin pa at kinuha ko na rin ang gamit ko, she smiles when she saw I'm done with my things.

"So, see you next week in the school?" masayang tanong ko sa kanya, she shake her head and sigh. Nauna syang lumabas sa akin and then we both wait sa gilid ng restuarant. "Oh, I forgot to give this to you" napatingin ako sa kamay ko ng kunin nya at ilagay ang isang Keychain? "It's a good luck Keychain and also everytime you feel down, it will light green and try to rub it to see what it will say to you to cheer you up" hangang napatingin naman ako sa binigay nya.

"Talaga?" "Yep, it can sense sadness. It will light green if you feel sad, so better not get sad. It has different lights expressing what you feel. You won't be able to lie to someone who knows about that keychain, so better hide it and do not display it" napangiti naman ako and rub the keychain, nagulat ako ng biglang umilaw ng green.

I look at Kristine, mabuti nalang at di sya nakatingin. Kingina, mukhang totoo nga ang sinabi nya, this keychain is as smooth as cotton ansarap sa kamay at daliri. "Taxi!" tawag nya at biglang dumating ang isang taxi sa harapan namin.

"Keep it, hide it, don't lose it and if you survive everything. Give it back to me when we see each other again" she once said before entering the taxi, nagtaka naman ako sa sinabi nya. Parang may ibig sabihin sya sa sinabi nya, I just wave her a goodbye bago napatingin ulit sa keychain. Hide it? Parang mas bet kong ilagay sa bag ko to, para whenever I felt down I'll just rub it and see the color, it feels good in my fingers when I rub it.

Parang pwede ko syang pangpa-relax o di kaya pag bored ako pwede kong paglaruan, saan kaya to nabibili noh? Ang ganda kaso walang brand na nakasulat o kahit anong words, maliban dito sa 'Rub It'.

Anong oras na pala, kelangan ko ng umuwi may aasikasuhin pa ako sa condo ko and About this new job, maybe di naman masamang mag focus ng kunti sa school na to since di pa naman nagpaparamdam si Angelie.

I know Angelie is still seeking info about what we've talked about back when I was still in States, maybe I'll wait for her to call me. Di tatawag sa akin yun ng walang dalang information, so all I have to do for now is to focus on school.

......................................

Alyona's POV

Pagpasok na pagpasok ko ng condo ay kaagad akong nakaamoy ng ulam, how did he know where I am staying, is he stalking me or what? Hayyss, di ko tuloy magagawa ang mga kailangan kong gawin mamaya. Darnn, I don't have any choice but to face him.

"You're here, where have you been? Kanina pa ako dito sa condo mo, are you hungry already?" sunod sunod nyang tanong pagkapasok ko ng kusina, I saw him facing the sink but I didn't dare to get close to him. Sa ref ako kumuha ng malamig na tubig sabay balik sa living room para maupo, binuksan ko ang tv pero wala rin akong ganang manuod.

"How did you open my condo? Pagkakamalan na talaga kitang stalker at magnanakaw nyan" pagbibiro ko para di mahalatang di ako masaya na nandito sya. "Well, the staff give me the duplicate key of your condo and Angelie told me where you are staying kaya huwag ka ng magtaka pa, tsaka I cooked your favorite dish" bigla syang lumabas mula sa kusina habang suot ang apron pero hinubad nya rin bago lumapit sa akin.

"Wala ka bang pasok ngayon?" tanong ko, umupo sya sa tabi ko at sumandal sa upuan at tumingala na parang pagod, he shake his head habang nakatingala pa rin. "Then you should have just rest instead of coming here, malayo pa naman ang condo mo dito sa condo ko" nagulat ako ng bigla nya akong hinila papunta sa tabi nya sabay yakap, I heard him sigh.

"Bakit ba kasi bumili ka ng condo na malayo sa condo ko? You should have told me about buying a condo, or pwede sa condo ko nalang"

I glared at him and laugh. She kissed my head so many times na mas lalo kong ikinatawa. "You're still stubborn and acting like an independent one" "Do I look not an independent one?" I ask and look at him "Hmmm, you're still my little girl" "Little girl mo mukha mo, hmp! Tabi nga magbibihis ako--" di ko pa natatapos ang sinasabi ko ng bigla nya akong yakapin ng patalikod.

"Let's stay like this for 10 minutes" sabi nya at mas hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa akin, sinubukan kong makawala pero di ko nagawa. "5 years, I missed 5 years, I waited for you for 5 years and now that you are here I can't afford to lose you again. I don't know why I feel like crying but I think 5 years is worth the wait...." unti unti syang bumibitaw sa akin kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

"I want to spend my whole life with you, Alyona. You are my first enemy, my first girlfriend and first in everything, I want to experience the life with you by my side, gusto ko ikaw lang palagi nasa tabi ko. At my worst and at my best..... Will you marry me if ever I propose to you?" I was totally became speechless dahil sa mga narinig ko mula sa kanya, I can see his eyes getting red.

"Y--y--yung niluluto nangangamoy na!!!" bigla kong sigaw ng makaamoy ako ng nasusunog na kung ano, nagulat din sya at kaagad na tumayo  para tignan ang kusina. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag, I thought katapusan ko na dahil sa tanong nya. Para akong hinabol ng sampung aso dahil hinihingal ako, kinginang tanong yun. Buti nalang talaga at save by the bell ako.

I don't really know what to answer about his question, I love him but I don't feel like being with him. Di ako sure sa feelings ko for him, maybe I can't focus about love right now dahil mas may gusto akong gawin na mas importante pa kesa sa kahit ano o sino.

Bigla kong napansin ang isang kwentas, ito yung kwentas na pwedeng lagyan ng litrato ng mahal mo sa buhay, nagtaka ako bigla dahil nasa upuan malapit sa akin ang kwentas. Hindi nya ba to sinusuot? I mean, wala akong napansin na may suot syang kwentas kanina, so tinago nya to? Or ibibigay nya sana sakin?

This necklace, it's familiar. Parang nakita ko na to dati, dahil curious ako kung kaninong litrato ang nasa loob ay unti unti kong ginawang buksan but then di ko nagawang mabuksan, binaliktad ko ang kwentas and saw a key hole. Don't tell me this necklace needs a key to open it?? What a cool nekclace, parehong pareho sa ibinigay ni dad kay mom.

I saw a little lettering in the back, di ko masyado maklaro since maliliit ang nakasulat, there's also a heart shape. Biglang kumunot ang noo ko when my finger starts to bleed, the heck?! I just rub the heart shape and now my finger is bleeding? Di naman grabe ang pagdudugo pero ramdam ko ang sakit at hapdi sa maliit kong sugat.

Titignan ko ulit sana yung heart shape ng malapitan when Keith suddenly appears, he's sweat and dirty, all over his shirt is dirty. "What happened to you?" takang tanong ko at tumayo. "Your kitchen doesn't have a fire extinguisher" sabi nya at nagpunas ng dumi sa damit at mukha. "I forgot to install one but you can use the bathroom in my room if you want" "How about my clothes?"

"I'll wash your clothes while you are taking a bath, may dryer naman" he sigh and nod when his phone suddenly rang. "Can you?" utos nya at inginuso ang selpon nya na nasa mesa. Kaagad ko namang kinuha at ibibigay sana sa kanya ng automatic na nasagot ang tawag, I saw tita's name on the screen and the heck ako pa ang may hawak ng selpon?

Tita: Let's have a dinner together tonight, Feathania

I look at Keith when tita called my first name. "How did she know it's me?" pabulong na tanong ko kay Keith na ikinatawa lang nya. "I told her yesterday that you're already home" sagot nya, napamura nalang ako sa isip ko.

Tita: Come on sweetheart, we still have a lot of things to talk to. Don't make me wait, you know I hate waiting.

Di pa ako nakakasagot ng binabaan ako ni tita ng tawag, napalunok naman ako dahil sa sinabi nya. Katapusan ko na yata, just imagining tita's mad face is like killing me already, alam kong masamang magalit si tita and I know di nya palalagpasin ang nagawa ko. Di ko na nagawang makatingin kay Keith dahil sa pinag-iisip ko.

Should I go? Or ignore since di naman nya narinig ang boses ko, pero nakakakonsensya rin since ako na nga tong may kasalanan ako pa ang hindi sisipot, di naman yata ako kakainin ng buhay ni tita since kasama ko si Keith. Pero nakakatakot pa rin but do I have a choice? Ayokong paghintayin si tita sa wala, maybe chance ko na rin para makahingi ng sorry dahil sa nagawa ko before.

This is actually a great opportunity for me to met and talk to her since matagal ko ng di sya nakakausap, it's hard but I have to do this, I have to face her in order for her to forgive me. I don't think so

~

Alyona's POV

"Are you sure it's ok to meet your mom right now? Di ba sya busy o baka galit pa din sya sa akin?" I keep on asking Keith the same question earlier until now na nasa byahe na kami, he look at me and then smile. "Why you keep on asking the same question?" natatawa nyang tanong, napakamot naman ako sa leeg ko at ngumiti ng pilit.

"I'm so nervous meeting her again after 5 years" I answer, he took a quick glance at me and then focus on the road again. I look away when he chuckles, mas lalo tuloy akong kinakabahan. I hope maintindihan ni tita na I have to disappear because of what happened before. This is not the first time tita and I met because Keith's parents and my parents was friends back in college days.

Yup, magkakaibigan ang parents namin which is a good thing. My parents and his parents goes to the same medical school at dun sila nagkakila-kilala until they become doctors, my mom and his dad goes to the same hospital while my dad's job location is outside the country which is nasa New York sya naka-assign.

My dad didn't decide to go to New York to work there, one of the most and well-known doctor in New York offer him the job to work there and of course di naman nakatanggi si dad and took the opportunity to work in New York which is yung hospital is famous also around the the world.

My dad became a well-known and one of the most successful doctors in New York, as his daughter I am so proud and lucky to be his daughter.

Isipin nyo kilala sya sa ibang bansa as a successful doctor sinong hindi magiging proud di ba, my mom is even more proud to dad. Keith's mom and dad we're also proud to him, everyone was happy before, everything was a total fairy tale.

"Are you ok?" nabalik ako sa realidad when I felt his hand on my thigh, I look at him who looks worried. I smile and touch his hand, I sigh before answering.

"I'm fine, naalala ko lang how our parents became best friends and became one of the successful doctors in the Philippines" sagot ko na ikinangiti nya. "Your dad is actually one of the most well-known and most successful doctor, not only here but also in New York"

I smile as to what he said, thinking of how lucky I am having my dad. "Tito was always there for me when dad's not around, I hope he's in a good place now"  biglang napawi ang ngiti ko dahio sa sinabi nya, I look away and sigh. "I don't wanna talk about dad right now"  sabi ko at dumungaw sa bintana.

"I understand, my bad"  sabi nya at tumahimik. I don't want him to talk about dad in front of me, di ko lang feel. Past is past sabi pa nga but my dad's memories will always be in my head and heart, ayoko lang na pinag-uusapan sya kasi naiiyak ako at nawawalan ng gana.

"We're here" he said and stop the car in front of a huge entrance open door, taena di ko man lang namamalayan na nakarating na pala kami sa destinasyon namin. My gosh heto na naman bumabalik na naman ang kaba sa dibdib ko, taena bakit ba ako kinakabahan eh si tita naman yun at hindi ibang tao.

Pero almost 5 years ko ring di nakita at nakausap si tita, I'm afraid she change a lot lalo na at nung nalaman nyang iniwan ko si Keith. For sure nanggagalait na sya sa akin sa galit, Keith is only their child so ano pa ba expect nyo? Overprotective si tita kay Keith kaya di ko sure kung marunong syang umintindi sa mga nangyari dati.

"Hey, your spacing out again. What are you thinking?" napatingin ako kay Keith when he ask me again, I shake my head and smile. "It's almost 5 years since last naming pagkikita ni tita and I'm a little bit nervous meeting her again" "Easy hun, she's still the same, she still wanted you to be her daughter-in-law" pagpapagaan nya sa pakiramdam ko, he smile that's why I smile too.

"Don't worry, nasa tabi mo lang ako and I will never leave your side no matter what. If you feel you don't like meeting her right now, we can still back out" napatingin naman ako sa kanya dahil sa sinabi nya. "Sira ka ba, nandito na tayo and tita is waiting for us inside. Ayokong, ma-disappoint sya" sabi ko pero deep inside G ako na di muna kami magkita ni tita.

Pero syempre bawal ng umatras, nandito na kami sa mismong entrance ng restaurant. Kung kelan malapit na tsaka aatras? Maybe no choice talaga ako kundi ang makita at magkausap kami ni tita, di ko naman yata ikamamatay baka slight lang kung makakausap ko sya.

"Mind if I take you on a walk?" he said and offer his right arm to me, I smile even more and put my hand on his arm. Kahit papaano naibsan ang kaba sa dibdib ko dahil sa mga narinig ko mula kay Keith, I'm really hoping tita isn't mad at me meeting me again.

~

(Dinner With Mrs. Medina)

"You're beautiful as your mother, but you changed a lot, it seems maganda buhay nyo sa U.S" basag ni tita sa katahimikan, I look at her and I saw she's also looking at me with a little smile on her lips, I smile shyly and nod. "How's Wyatt? Why you didn't bring him home with you?" I lost my grip on my fork at bigla kong nabitawan kaya tumunog ang plate ko, I slowly swallowed and cough to clean my throat. "He's still studying G-12 there and I can't afford to transfer him here since there's a lot of process--"

"Visa? Citizenship? Tell me what Wyatt needs for him to transfer here? I have a lot of connections and I can help you with anything" "Gusto ko po kasi na dun na sya mag-settle sa U.S" sagot ko. "Then how about you?" I became speechless when she ask the question I don't wanna hear. "You're pretty and young, you can still find a man you want if you'll go back there, but how about my son?"

And with that question natameme ako, yan ang tanong na ayaw kong itanong nya pag nagkita kami.

"Why did you come back, what for?" I sigh when tita ask me again, napatingin kaagad ako sa kanya na abala sa pagkain nya. "Mom" tawag ni Keith kay tita na parang pinipigilan nya si tita. "What? I'm just asking her, what if she just came back here for some reason? Or maybe may nakalimutan lang syang dalhin and then-" "We've already talk about this before mom, just leave that question"

Putol ni Keith sa sinasabi ni tita, tita chuckles and look at me. "Not being rude iha and you know I'm being like this because I don't want my son to suffer again, tell me why did you come back? What for?" deretsahang tanong ni tita na ikina-speechless ko ng sobra, anong isasagot ko? Malamang sa malamang I can't answer her the real reason why I came back.

"Mom--" and with that, nag-aaway na sila about sa tanong ni tita sa akin. Darnn, para akong yelong nanigas.  "Stop Keith, I'm doing this for you. If you can't ask her straightly why she came back here then I'll ask her for you-"  "I'm staying here for good" putol at sagot ko na ikinatigil nilang dalawa, di ko alam kung kapani-paniwala ba ang sagot ko, I don't know pero yun nalang bigla ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Maybe because that's the answer tita wanted to hear from me, of course I know she's asking me since Keith doesn't have the gut to ask me that question.

Kahit di ko tignan I know nakatingin ngayon sa akin si Keith, tita seems satisfied with my answer and her cold expression earlier slowly turns into a soft and lovely expression. She never get soft to me anyway, it's just now kasi nandito si Keith "That's good to hear iha, I'm hoping Wyatt comes home soon too. Our family will be big again, I can't wait for you two to get married"

I didn't answer or say anything I just smile like I mean it and look at Keith who's smiling too. F×ck, let's fake it until we make since they don't know what's inside my head.

"Ohh, about getting married. Have you talk about it already? It's been such a long time and maybe it's time to plan for your future" napalingon ako kay Keith and shake my head. "I actually wanted to settle with Keith already but something keeps on bothering me" tita seems got hook by what I said and stop from slicing her food.

"What is that something that bothering you?" tanong ni Keith na nasa tabi ko. "She means a lot to me and I just can't forget about her, everyone thinks she's already dead but to me.... I still want to find her, I want to find my mom before marrying your son, tita"

She looks shook as she is and speechless, I heard Keith cough pero di ko sya pinansin, I remain looking at tita to see her reaction. Nang makabawi sya ay nag-iba ang ekspresyon ng mukha nya, she laughs and drank a little water before talking again.

"How come you still wanted to find a dead person? Didn't the police told you about your mom before you go to States?" tanong nya na hindi ko ikinatango. "The police found my dad's body but not my mom" "Of course because it was burnt, the whole car was burned when the police found them. Maybe your mom turn into ashes" "Can we not talk about dead people in front of the food?"

Biglang singit ni Keith na seryoso sa pagkakasabi, I didn't mind him. "Tita, you said you talked to my mom before the accident, but you never talk to me after the accident tho but I still wanted to know what she said before the accident happened" she looks away and shake her head. "It was a long time ago, I can't remember anything about it anymore" sabi nya without looking at me.

I sigh and nod as a sign that I understand that she doesn't want to remember what happened before, ayoko na ring balikan but... "I still wanted to live a long happy life, with my family and see them grow as a grown persons" after I said those words I look at tita who can't raise her face and can't chin up, nagkakaroon talaga ako ng lakas ng loob kapag alam ko ang totoo. "What do you mean by that?" takang tanong ni Keith na ikinatawa ko.

"Someone said those sweet words to me and that's the precious words I am holding on until now, I hope someday those words happen--" di ko natapos ang sinasabi ko ng biglang tumayo si tita and looks confuse. "I-I'll just use the restroom" tita said before going out from the room, I sigh at pinunasan ang bibig ko. "Did I say something wrong?" takang tanong ko at napasandal sa upuan ko.

"Pareho ko kayong di maintindihan, well girls are girls. You girls only understand each others" he said and laugh. "Wala na akong ganang kumain, I'll just use the restroom too" sabi ko at tumayo. "Go ahead, I'll will wait for you two" nakangiti akong lumabas ng room at dumeretso sa restroom, now is my time to talk to tita privately and I don't want anyone to hear about it, not even you guys.

I just have some important questions for her about someone, now I feel strong asking about her. Di na ako magpapatumpik tumpik pa at kelangan ko na agad simulan at malaman ang totoo.

~End~

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