Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Chapter Thirty

30 - Lost

I saw Mommy and Reizo in front of me as I woke up.

"Where's Ridge?" Tanong ko na nagpalingon sa kanila papunta sa akin.

My mom held my hand. "He went home, Kaela."

"Why? I need him here."

"Kaela, he's here for almost two days without going home. He needs to rest, hija. He'll be back soon."

"Will you tell him to come back fast, Mommy?" Parang bata kong sabi.

Lumingon siya sa likod niya kung nasaan si Reizo. I saw him nod at her.

"Yes, hija. I'll call him later." She looked behind her again.

"Reizo's here, Kaela. You might want to talk to him for a while Ridge isn't around?"

Tumingin ako kay Reizo. I met his eyes, and he looked like he was waiting for something.

I looked away.

"I'm still tired, mommy. I want to sleep." Sabi ko kay mommy. Suminghap siya at lumingon kay Reizo at binigyan ng maliit na ngiti.

"Okay, hija. Take a rest now. We'll be right here when you wake up."

"And Ridge?" Pahabol ko. She caressed my hair. Tumango siya.

"And... Ridge."

Mischa was busy preparing our food in the afternoon while Reizo was still sitting on the sofa near my bed. I can feel his stares on mine, not minding Mischa still sending death glares at him.

My eyes went to the door when it opened, and mommy went inside with her questionable look towards me.

"Kaela! I called your school." Kumalabog ang puso sa sinabi niya. I saw how Mischa glanced at mom before me. "You dropped out last semester? And you didn't tell me about it?"

I gazed at Reizo on my side, and his furrowed brows were directed at mommy and her information.

"Really, Kaela? What's happening? That's your dream to finish school... Darling, what happen—"

"Tita..." My eyes widened at Mischa when she cut mommy off. She looked away when she saw my stares at her.

Mommy looked puzzled at us until her eyes remained on me. "Kaela, what is it?" I shook my head and bit my lip to stop myself from tearing up in front of them.

"Kaela... please, tell them." Pagmamakaawa sa akin ni Mischa as she held my hand. I shook my head again at her.

"I don't want to..." Halos bulong ko nang sinabi sa kanya iyon.

"If you won't tell them, I would..." Matatag na sagot niya sa akin. I held her hand tightly and shook my head multiple times, trying to tell her that I didn't want them to know what had happened.

"Please, Mischa... no. No, Mischa... Don't. Don't tell them, please..." She avoided my gaze at tinanggal ang pagkakapit ng kamay ko sa mga kamay niya.

"Mischa, Kaela, what is it?" Mommy tried to interject.

"Mischa, no..." Nanghihina kong sabi sa kanya pero nagmatigas siya at tinignan ako ng masama pero kita ang pamamasa ng kanyang mga mata.

"Damn it, Kaela! They have to know! Please, stop fighting this alone!" Sigaw niya kasabay nang pagkahulog bg luha sa mga maya niya.

"Mischa naman..." I begged.

"Tita... I'm sorry that I kept this from you for so long... I am sorry, I wasn't a good cousin to Kaela. I'm sorry... I tried to tell you. I tried, but Kaela... Kaela told me she could do it. She can do it alone. I am sorry, I should've told you sooner. I am sorry it's my fault..." Iyak ni Mischa.