The Life of a Secret Writer

CLUE 17

MESSAGE

Ren

Nagkatinginan kami ni Rush. This will be one of the few moments that I'll met that old man. Sa ilang buwan kong pamamalagi dito. Iilang beses ko palang nakita ang lolo namin.

He's here all the time but he's too busy that he don't have time to meet me. Well hindi naman ako ganun ka-importanteng panauhin para laging bisitahin. Pero kahit sa oras ng pagkain palagi rin syang wala.

Nakaka-curious tuloy.. anong ginagawa nya buong araw sa office nya?

"I'll wait here," Ten said as we reached the door of the VIP room. He leans at the side of the door then he lead us to go inside the room.

As we entered, I saw a large dining table na kung babasehan halos lampas sampung tao ang pwedeng sabay na kumain sa laki ng lamesa. The table are full of different foods, fruits and wines.

I was surprised na halos walang space ang table dahil punong puno ng iba't ibang pagkain and to think na sa labas puno din ang catering area! Hindi ko kayang ubusin lahat ng 'to.

"Finally! My grandaughter is here! Come here, take a seat." The old man smiled widely as he saw me entered the room. Tumayo pa sya at ambang sasalubungin ako pero pinaupo ng apat na nakaupo din sa lamesa.

Isang babae at isang lalaki together with I think their parents.. They looked a few years younger than me.

"They are our cousins River and Ryleigh, they're twins. Beside them are their parents Tita Melanie and Tito Reynand."

Oh, that's why they looked so much alike. The guy named River gave me a small smile, Tito Reynand just nod at our presence while Ryleigh didn't pay attention much because she's too busy taking care of our lolo with her mother.

"You should eat more veggies pa.." as she stacked up food on the old man's plate.

"This is your favorite right?" Saka pa lamang nila kami napansin ng maupo kami sa harapan nila.

Rush sit beside Tita Melanie's husband, in front of River. I sit beside him in front of Ryleigh who's looking at me with piercing eyes. Saglit na natigil sa ere ang hawak nyang shrimp na ipapasa sana sa plato ng matanda.

"She's our lost cousin and your lost niece tita. She's now with us." Rush said habang sumenyas sa waiter na nakatayo sa gilid namin para kumuha ng wine.

Ryleigh's eyes widened. "Nervena? After all this years! You're alive?!"

"Uh.." I don't know what to reply. Dapat ko din 'bang kwestyunin kung bakit buhay pa ako?

"I mean don't get me wrong but we saw your house get burned by fire!"

Sunog? Kumunot ang noo ko habang pilit na inaalala. "uh, wala akong matandaan na nasunog ang bahay namin."

"Really, nakita namin mismo kung paano naging abo ang bahay ng kapatid ko. How come buhay ka? Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita. Papa are you really sure that she's our relative?" Tita Melanie questioned the old man while her eyebrow raise up habang minamata ako.

"Melanie, you already saw the papers she's my legal grandaughter! Your legal niece! Don't you dare question her again! That's disrespect!"

"I'm sorry papa, ayoko lang magkagulo ang pamilya natin-"

"Then shut your mouth!"

Suminghap si Tita Melanie habang inaabot ni Tito Reynand ang kamay nya sa lamesa upang pakalmahin.