Beneath Her | [R-16]

Chapter Twenty Nine

KIM

"Oh, nandito ka nanaman?"

Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Verson na naka headphones, nagvi video games kasama si Angel.

"Kuya, you've been gone for a year. Noong wala ka, halos araw araw 'yan nandito." ngisi ngisi pa siya dyan. Lumapit ako para tanggalin yung headphones nilang dalawa. "Proud ka pa?"

"Hayaan mo na silang dalawa, 'nak." sabi ni ate Maya habang nag-aayos ng pinagkainan. Lumapit siya at bumulong, "Nakabantay ako palagi. Hindi ko siya hinahayaang pumasok sa kwarto ni Angel."

I held her back and said, "Thank you, ate." I was gone for a while and I just came back last because I'm heading to college. Kahit ayaw ko, tumira ako sa Pampangga kasama si dad. He practically lives there and visits us twice a month because all of his American friends live there. "Sino ba kasi 'yan? How did they become so close?"

"Alam mo, bata pa si Angel. Wala na yung mommy mo, bihira lang niya makita ang daddy mo tapos ikaw rin umalis. Kinailangan niya rin ng sasandalan." nginitian niya ako bago bumalik sa kusina. I took a look upwards to clear my mind. I left, so I don't have the right to boss Angel around.

"Aalis ako. Don't do anything funny." pagbabanta ko dun sa Verson. Angel's head turned around like she heard something suspicious. "Saan? Sama ako."

"Huy, iiwan mo 'ko?" siko ni Verson kay Angel. Sinara ko ulit yung pinto dahil nabadtrip ako. Aba't siraulo ata 'to ah. I was about to hit him but Angel smacked his head. "Edi sumama ka." sabi niya at bumalik ang tingin saakin.

"Fine, but you stay inside." sabi ko at hinayaan na sila. I'm not very easy with leaving them alone. Mabilis lang rin naman ako, kaya hindi na siguro problema yun.

"Where are we going, kuya?" tanong ni Angel na nasa tabi ko. "I'm just visiting an old friend. After that, I'll take you out for ice cream." haven't been able to bond with her so I guess, ngayon ako babawi.

Before all of that, I have to fix my life first. I saw Cha's IG story and they seem to be having a party at their apartment so I'm going. Pagod na 'ko sa mga issue ko. I'm growing from them and turning a new leaf.

"We're here. Stay inside, okay?" I firmly said while I unbuckle my seatbelt. Napansin kong nakatingin sa labas si Verson. "Is that-?"

"Who?" I asked as I also looked at their gate. All I see is Justin and Drey's friends. "Kuya Justin?"

"Kuy- You know him?" Verson? I don't think I've heard of his name. "What's your full name?"

"Verson Cortez po. He's my brother." he confusedly said and unlocked the door. "Teka, Verson. Shit." mabilis ko siyang hinabol kaso nagulat ako sa nakita ko. It was Drey holding a baby.

1st birthday?

What the hell? Mukhang nakita niya akong nakatingin sakanya mula sa labas. He walked towards me with his eyebrows furrowed. Tuloy tuloy siyang naglakad papunta sa sasakyan ko. Angel wasn't there anymore.

"Why are you here?"

"Y-you had a kid?" I hesitated to ask. No, that doesn't make sense. They broke up and Drey changed strands.

"Kids." Parang nanlamig yung katawan ko. Kids? What? May kinalaman ba 'to sa ginawa namin ni Nat? "Where have you been? How did you know we're here?"