OUTCAST (PUBLISHED)

15: LOST

It was odd for me to act like I didn’t hear a single thing. Both Alex and Cara act like their usual self, eating and laughing with our family as if they are not plotting something terrible in this household.

Alex doesn’t do anything stupid unless he has a reason for it. He even said that he would infiltrate the LIVE Corporation. What for? That Corporation has been studying the ‘Genesis’ for years, and still they couldn’t succeed as if they are waiting for the right ingredients for their formula.

“Amira?” My mother called. A small smile curled into my lips as I sip my tea, “Yes, Ma?” I asked.

Takha siyang tumingin sa ‘kin saka nagkibit balikat, “Are you half asleep?” she asked.

Malumanay akong lumingon sa kanya at umarte na tila walang bumabagabag sa aking isipan. Napuyat ako kakaisip sa pinag usapan nina Cara at Alex, alam ko ang plano nila ngunit hindi ko tukoy kung kailan nila gagawin iyon. Batid ko rin na hindi iyon sasabihin sa akin nina Alex, pakiramdam ko’y masusurpresa na lamang ako sa magiging pasog nila.

At bago pa man nila magawa ang plano nila. I needed to know what’s hidden beneath this house, even if it’s one of my family’s dirtiest secrets. I looked around saw my father and brother exchanging thoughts about the Philippines’ current GDP, but that doesn’t look interesting to me, so I drifted my attention somewhere else.

I saw Cara and my mother talking about the cheerleading squad. Cara keeps on blubbering shits about me being the next cheer captain because of my indescribable talent. And for a while, I felt the dining table become spacious, and for some reason, I felt that this genuine happiness would soon disappear.

“Amira, kumain ka d’yan,” Cara hissed. I looked at my plate and saw a spoonful of rice. To be honest, I have no appetite right now, and all I wanted was to know what lies within this house.

Isang maliit na ngiti lamang ang binigay ko sa kanya bago dagdagan ang aking pagkain. Ayokong magduda sila sa kilos ko lalo na’t aalamin ko ang dahilan kung bakit nais ni Alex na itakas ako sa sarili kong pamamahay, sa sarili naming pamilya. Lahat kami ay napalingon nang magbukas ang pinto, naroroon ang emplayado ng LIVE Corporation at kasabay niyon ang pagtayo ng ama ko sa hapag-kainan. Parehas n’ya kaming hinalikan ng aking ina sa noo bago s’ya nagpaalam sa amin na kailangan n’ya nang umalis.

Kung kanina ay may kaunting ingay pa, ngayo’y nabalot na kami nang nakabibibinging ingay. Tila kahit ang patak ng tubig o ang ingay ng kutsara at tinidor ay nakakasakit na sa tainga.

“Tita, nga pala, uuwi na po ako bukas,” I quizzically looked at Cara. As far as I know, she will remain here for the whole semester break, “Nagkaroon daw ng emergency sabi ng kapatid ko,” she added.

I’m not that stupid not to know that their plan will begin tomorrow. Alex intently looked at her and then drifted his attention to me.

“I will be busy tomorrow. Can you accompany her to the train station?” Alex asked. I wryly smile. It is really hard to act like you know nothing.

I slowly nodded, “Okay, wala rin naman akong masyadong gagawin,”

My attention drifted away when my phone suddenly got a notification. My mother even glared at me, merely telling me that I’m doing something wrong against the household rules, “No cellphones while eating, Amira,” she brooded. I smiled and immediately finish my food before bidding goodbye.

Nang makarating ako sa kwarto ko ay agad kong binuksan ang notification, agad na nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ko nang makita na walang kwenta lamang ito. Isanv friend request lamang ito galing sa isang baseball player sa Laodicea High na nag ngangalang Parker Chase Gesmundo.