The Last Bloodsucker ✔

Chapter 10

I'm holding two  white roses while staring at the grave in front of me.

It's been a while, but I'm still not used to it.

Kung dati relatives ko lang ang mga dinadalaw namin dito sa private cemetery namin pero ngayon it's my own flesh and blood.

My beloved parents.

I've moved on already, but there are times I feel like I haven't.

The cold wind blew, and I tucked some of my hair strands behind my ears. I slowly bent down to put the flowers on their tomb.

I want to visit our ancestral house. And unfortunately, Paul isn't with me because he needs to be somewhere related to his work. That's why I'm all alone now.

Speaking of work, I miss being in a hospital, roaming around, checking up on mental patients. Darn this vacation of mine, because it's making me sick as time goes by.

Tumayo na ako ng maayos at muling pinasadahan ng huling tingin ang libingan nila bago ako tumalikod at bumalik sa kotse ko.

"Ingat po kayo, Ma'am."- the guard said with a genuine smile on his lips.

Tanging tango lamang ang sinagot ko at nagmaneho na palayo.

The music on the radio was loud enough to make me feel like I was floating while driving. I'm silently tapping my fingers on the steering wheel while my eyes are focused on the road.

Natanaw ko na ang malaking gate ng lumang bahay namin. May nagbukas niyon para makapasok sa loob ang sasakyan ko.

Kahit kasi minsan lang ako dumalaw dito may mga inuutusan pa din ako na maglinis dito. Of course, it's only my parents only memories that I have. Sayang naman kung pababayaan ko ang mala mansyon na bahay na 'to.

I stop the car in front of the big fountain with a winged angel looking at the water.

Dinampot ko ang sling bag ko at lumabas na ng kotse.

"Magandang hapon po, Ma'am Evie."

Natigilan naman ako at pinagmasdan ang binatilyong lalaki na bumati sa akin.

"You are?"

He scratches the back of his head and bows down a little.

"Ariel po."

"Ma'am Evie! Naku pasensya na po kayo sa apo ko, Ma'am."- humahangos na sabi ni Nanay Gloria ang pinaka pinag kakatiwalaan kong kasambahay.

"May ginawa ka bang hindi maganda?"- sita nya sa apo nya.

I cleared my throat, which caught her attention.

"Wag nyo po syang pagalitan. Nagpakilala lamang po ang apo nyo."- sabi ko at ngumiti ng bahagya.

"O sya hija halika na sa loob. Ang tagal mo din hindi nadalaw dito."- yakag sa akin ni Nanay matapos utusan ang apo nya.

As soon as I stepped inside, the familiar feelings invaded my whole system.

"Kumain ka na ba? Malayo binyahe mo, anong gusto mong kainin?"

"Nay mamaya nalang po siguro. Gusto ko po munang umakyat sa taas."- magalang na sabi ko na tinanggap naman nya.

I silently walk down the hallway. Seeing other housekeepers busy on their assigned jobs.

Some greeted me; some failed to notice my presence because they were busy, but I don't mind anyway.

Pumanhik na ako sa hagdanan. Tinignan ko ang pader at duon nakahilera pataas ang iba't ibang portrait ng pamilya namin. From our old ancestors up to our generation. Different faces with different personalities and ambitions in life, my clan was perfectionist. I don't know what happened to me. Maybe love made me softer than them.