CHAPTER 78
I calmed myself down and softly held her cheeks, causing her to flinch. To think that she is both alarmed and nervous about being caught as a result of my question... I really am a bad person. But I don't want it to be simply a hunch since I really want to see her, that it makes me completely overwhelmed about what's in front of me.
I want to know...
"Tell me, Yna..." Tawag ko sa kanya at marahang ihinarap ang mukha niya sa akin. "Are you—" Naputol ang pagtatanong ko at pareho kaming nagulat dahil sa biglang pagtunog ng phone sa loob ng aking coat na suot ni Yna ngayon.
Who the hell... Napapikit ako at napasinghap saka umayos ng tindig bago iyon kuhanin para sagutin ang tawag. Sumaglit pa ako ng tingin kay Yna na ngayon ay nakatulala lang at deretso ang tingin.
"Who is this?" I asked the person on the other end of the call coldly. "You've been getting on my nerves lately..." Seryosong sabi ng nasa kabilang linya, binalewala ang tanong ko. "Why? who a-" I was cut off. "Go back to the gymnasium, right now." Utos niya. Kumunot naman ang noo ko at tiningnan kung sino ang tumawag. Regrettably, it came from an unknown number.
"Would you just let your mother do anything she wants?" Seryoso niyang turan kaya nag-igting ang aking panga at mas lalong kumunot ang noo. "What do you mean?"
"I'm watching you." Dagdag niyang sabi, ramdam pa ang inis sa boses kasabay ng matunog niyang pagbuntong hininga bago pinutol ang tawag. What exactly is his problem? I should be the one who is outraged by him. But his voice which is full of authority sounds familiar.
Lumingon ako sa gawi kung saan nakaupo si Yna na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa akin at mukhang naguguluhan. "I'm sorry for stepping out of line only a few moments ago... I shouldn't have done that, but we have to go back now." Sabi ko matapos kong makalapit sa kanya bago hawakan ang kamay niya at marahang hinatak para patayuin siya.
Tumango naman siya pero pansin pa rin sa kanyang reaksyong hindi siya makasabay sa nangyayari. I don't want to confuse you, but this is an urgent matter that I need to handle.
Sinimulan na agad naming maglakad patungo sa direksyon patungo sa gym ngunit hindi ko magawang magmadali lalo na't inaalala kong baka nahihirapan nang maglakad si Yna ngayon dahil sa suot niyang sapatos. "My mom's at the gym right now." Paliwanag ko sa kanya, ang paningin ay nasa nilalakaran namin.
"She always does what she wants," I continued, sighing frustratedly. "I apologize if this comes as a surprise, but we need to get there because I'm afraid she'll ruin the event." Dagdag kong sabi.
Hindi siya umimik pero humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko. Napabaling naman ang tingin ko doon, at sunod na ibinaling ang tingin sa kanya. She stared at me with worried eyes, as if she knows exactly what I'm going through. Are you assuring me that you'll be there for me and that everything will be fine? You're driving me insane, Yna. My rationality is flactuating because of your actions.
"I hope you won't do this anymore in the future." Mahina kong sabi at ibinilak na sa unahan ang tingin.
Nang makarating kami sa loob ay agad ko nang narinig ang pamilyar na boses sa speaker. That is the voice of Stella Helffrich, my mother, who is crying on the huge screen as she speaks. That's just rubbish!
"It's been three years since my husband passed away, and I'm always thanking everyone for their condolences; I've said everything I have to say, so I hope everyone can enjoy the party tonight... Have a nice evening!" Sabi niya at ngumiti saka pinunasanan ang luha niya gamit ang hawak niyang panyo.
