The Senses

Chapter 15

Zero

I walked through the spacious hallways of the De la Costa's mansion. Geez, that old woman really has a thing for gold. No matter where I look, it's all just gold. I sighed at this obvious exhibition of their money. I walked past a room and I heaved another sigh. Why is it that I am always the one who catches her in this state?

"Yo, depressed Seine."

"Ze-Zero, anong ginagawa mo dito?"

I glanced at her hand, it was shaking a bit and she's averting her eyes, not meeting mine. She must still be terrified about the other day. I really couldn't blame her though, the first time Aggie saw me like that, she avoided me for days. I smiled as I remembered how I teased her back then.

"Anong nginingiti mo?"

"Oh nothing, may nakita kasi akong pusa na mukhang sinisisi na naman ang sarili niya."

She pouted at me. "Hindi naman siguro ako ang pusa na sinasabi mo?"

"Bakit? Pusa ka ba?"

Panandaliang katahimikan ang nanaig sa aming dalawa. "Takot ka pa rin ba sa akin?"

Nabigla naman siya sa tanong ko. "Sinong takot? Hindi ah. Nabigla lang ako."

"Eh," was my only response.

"Okay fine, pero konti lang," she insisted..."Bakit ka kasi biglang nagalit?"

"Matagal ko nang hindi narinig ang pangalan na iyon, hindi ko lang napigilan ang sarili ko, pasensya ka na."

"Sino ba si El?"

I bit my lip. "That... is a story for another time."

"No way, sabihin mo na kasi," pagpupumilit niya.

"Ayoko nga."

Sinubukan kong lumakad palabas sa kwarto pero pinigilan niya ako, I felt her light tug on my shirt sleeve.

"Zero, you can trust us, me and Xavier."

I know, that's why I can't tell you yet. I already lost so many people, I can't bear it if I lost the both of you too. I kept these thoughts to myself and said no more. I left Seine alone in the room along with her questions.

***

"You can trust us, me and Xavier," a voice behind me said. However, it wasn't Seine just as I expected. It was Eloisa.

"Hey, Lola, I didn't know eavesdropping was a talent of yours."

"Call me Eloisa, cut the 'lola' crap."

I smiled. "But it has such a good ring to it, lola."

She scowled at me. "You never did change."

"And you changed a lot."

It has been a few years since we bantered with each other like this. Eloisa had such a sharp tongue that if one isn't used to her, the person will cry in just a few minutes.

"Hindi mo pa sinasabi sa kanila," she commented.

"It's not yet time."

"Are you that afraid that they will know your regrets? The deepest secret that you hold to your heart."

"That's rich coming from you, Eloisa. You did not even tell your grandchildren that you're the reason why Elena disappeared."

"Huwag mong banggitin ang pangalan niya!" sigaw niya.

"Bakit?! Hindi mo pa matanggap sa sarili mo? Itinakwil mo siya dahil umibig siya sa isang lalaki na walang pera. You drove her out because you can't stand the thought of Elena marrying a commoner!"