Silent Heart

Simula

Simula

It's been a week since Mr. and Mrs. Chandler convinced me to live under their daughter's roof. My parents died because of a car accident, years ago. I didn't know, that my parents and Mr. Chandler had an agreement, which is this. I should be thankful to them but, the thought of living with their daughter makes my whole system tremble because of nervousness.

"Honey, you good?" Nag-aalalang tanong sa akin ni Tita.

Tanging tango lang ang naibigay kong sagot. Kasalukuyan kaming nagbibyahe patungo sa bahay ng anak nila. Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa may bintana at tahimik na pinagmamasdan ang paligid na nadadaanan namin.

Hindi ko lubos maisip kung bakit sa ganitong lugar naisipan ng anak nila Tita na magpatayo ng bahay. Malayo sa siyudad at parang nasa gitna ng kagubatan dahil sa dami ng matatayog na puno.

"Is she allergic from human?" I asked.

Both of them chuckled.

"No, honey. She needs a peaceful life." Tita said. "The city is too dangerous for her. It's actually her decision to live in this kind of place. Here, she can do whatever she wants without restrictions. Dito, mas malaya siya." She answered calmly.

"Did she already forget me?" I asked out of a sudden. I'm just curious.

"We don't know, Celestine." Tito shrugged. "If she did forget you, then make her remember you."

"The friendship we have had been destroyed by me. I left her without saying goodbye. I'm afraid to make an action." I honestly uttered.

"Honey, that was a long time ago. And, it wasn't your fault to leave her alone. Mga bata pa kayo no'n. Sinunod mo lang ang bilin sa 'yo ng mga magulang mo. But, every complicated stories deserves a clear explanation." Tita enunciated.

Napabuntonghininga ako bago ko muling itinuon ang buong atensyon ko sa labas. Madalim pa ang paligid dahil madaling araw pa lang. We have been travelling for almost two hours. I already feel exhausted but, I didn't do anything that makes me exhausted like, this.

"We still need to travel one hour to reach our destination, Celestine. You should take a nap first. Gigisingin ka na lang namin." Wika ni Tito.

I still want to see the environment here but, I guess, Tito was right. I should take a nap to gain some energy later. Ayokong magmukhang lantang gulay sa paningin ng anak nila. Nakakahiya kung sakali.

I slowly closed my eyes. And, without trying, I fell asleep.

Nagising na lang ako sa pagyugyog ng kung sino sa akin. Tamad kong minulat ang mga mata at tumambad sa akin ang nakangiting mukha ni Tita. I don't clearly hear what she said but, I still nodded my head.

I stretched my arms. I tilted my neck, causing it so make a soft cracks. Inayos ko na rin ang dala kong gamit at lumabas na ng kotse.

I stood in front of a two-storey house painted in bluish gray and white. I released a deep sigh before stepping inside. Bumungad sa akin ang malinis na sala. The floor was covered with white tiles and the wall is painted with white coat as well. May kulay black na sofa at dalawang black na armchair.

"Who are you?"

Halos mapatalon ako sa sobrang gulat nang may magsalita sa likuran ko. Napalunok ako nang makilala kung sino 'yon. It's her... Jaime Cameron.

"I'm asking you." Malamig niyang sambit sa akin. She even looked at me from head to toe. "Did we met before?" Her brown orbs landed on my eyes.

I bit my lower lip. "I-i..." need help.