Unforgotten Tale

CHAPTER 28

HER FATHER

Nakahiga na ako sa aking kama pero hindi parin maalis sa isip ko ang nangyari kanina. I can't erase the smile on my face but enough with it. I need to sleep already.

Matutulog na sana ako ng maka rinig ako ng kaluskos sa beranda. Knowing that maybe it's Joaquin, I immediately stood up and went to the door. Ano naman kaya ang ginagawa niya dito? Magkasama lang kami kanina ah.

To my surprise no one is their. Kanino galing ang kaluskos kanina? Hindi kaya ay guni-guni ko lamang o 'di kaya ay marahil sa hangin?

I was about to close the door when an envelope caught my attention. It's in the doorway. Pinulot ko ito at tinignan kung kanino galing. There is no logo in the wax so I don't know who gave this. It's a clear wax and a purple flower of the delphinium was stamped on it.

Tumingin ako sa ibaba at sa paligid pero wala akong makita ni anino. Kanino galing ito? Mabilis ko isinara ang pintuan dala ng takot at umupo sa aking kama.

I opened the envelope and there's a card on it. I read what's written on the card. My eyebrows furrowed.

'Do not trust anyone. Look for the book.'

Naguguluhan ako. Anong libro ang tinutukoy ng nagbigay ng sulat?

Whatever it is I don't care anymore. I already decided not to stick my nose around. It's not my business. I hide the envelope on the lowest drawer of my bedside table and sleep.

Nagising ako ng madaling araw na hinihingal. Ang lalim ng aking paghinga.

I dreamt about my mother. She's weeping because she thought I'm dead. She's in pain and my heart just crushed because of that thought.

Why do I keep on dreaming that my mom's looking for me? That she's crying and begging me to come back?

Sumasakit ang ulo ko. I felt a lump of thirst on my throat so I looked for a glass of water but the jar was empty. I decided to go and get downstairs.

I was in our kitchen when I heard someone talking. Instead of getting myself some water, I unmistakably follow the voice. They're not far from the kitchen area.

"Romulus you can't do this to me." Narinig kong sinabi ng isang babae. Romulus, my dad's second in command? Who is he talking to? The woman's voice is familiar but I can't name who she is.

"Laura I already told you, hindi pwede ang gusto mo," Romulus said. His voice is hard. But what caught my attention is the name he called that woman. Hindi ako nagkamali ng rinig. The voice is indeed familiar because it's Miss Laura's.

Ano ang ginagawa niya dito sa ganitong oras? At ano ang pinag-uusapan nila? Ano ang hindi pwede?

"Tandaan mo Romulus na para sa anak mo ang ginagawa natin, para sa anak natin ang lahat ng ito." Anak? Sino? Iisa lang naman ang anak niya. Si Melissa? Dahil sa nalaman ko ay nabitawan ko ang baso nadala ko.

Umalingawngaw sa kapaligiran ang tunog ng pagka basag nito.

Nagpalinga Linga ako sa paligid at naghahanap ng mapag tataguan.

F*ck! Where should I hide?

Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng aking puso at hindi ko alam kung saan ako mag tatago.

I was left with no choice and that is to not hide. They will be suspicious if there's a broken glass but no one's here. I'll just pretend that I didn't hear their conversation and that I slipped.

I quickly got on the floor and pretended that I slided. When I heard footsteps near me I started my acting.

"Ouch, stupid slippers," I said annoyed. I act like I was badly hurt.