The Great Known (Isla de Vista Series #2)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Burning

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao habang diretsong nakatingin sa kanya.

"My boyfriend is a lawyer, Faith. He investigated what happened before but there is no evidence to prove that my parents' death was planned. So, tell me. Why should I believe such a thing?" malamig kong sinabi.

Part of me wants to know more. Part of me wants to bleed to know the truth. And another part of me stops myself. The other part of me has hesitation. Either way, I don't know if she is telling the truth. And I have no idea of what sense she is making.

"I have proof."

Lumunok siya at binaba ang tingin sa kanyang mga kamay na nasa kanyang kandungan. My eyes drifted to her arm. Nakasuot siya ng dress na may mataas na sleeves but I am sure it was a bruise that I saw on her left wrist when he tried to secretly cover it up. Kumunot ang aking noo at napatingin muli sa kanya.

"Where is it?" mahina kong tanong.

Umiwas siya ng tingin.

"In my apartment. I rented one in Canada, away from my parents. Hindi ko nadala dahil sinusundan ako ni Richard. I bet he is on his way to me now. Kung dinala ko iyon, paniguradong malalaman nila na may plano akong sabihin sa'yo ang katotohanan." may takot sa boses niya.

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao at napatiim ng bagang. Maraming tanong ang nanginginig sa aking isipan ngunit hindi ko naisatinig. Pumasok sa aking utak ang sinabi nila Tito Eros at Tita Andresa. Mga payo nila tungkol sa kagustuhan kong malaman ang totoong nangyari sa mga magulang ko.

Hindi nila ako pinigilan na alamin kung ano iyon and I understand their sentiments in case the truth is not something I can holding grasp. I know it is not their responsibility to investigate what happened before and I never asked them to do that. That's why I dropped my thoughts for the truth. Ayaw kong sa pagkakataon na ito ay inaabala pa sila.

Tumayo ako at napaangat ang tingin ni Faith sa akin.

"I don't trust your words, Faith. Come at me with evidence at saka ko na pagdedesisyon kung tatanggapin ko ba ito." mataman kong sambit.

"I understand," tango niya. "But I am really telling the truth, Mika."

Binigyan ko siya ng maliit na ngiti sa labi. "You never lied to me, Faith. Or I guess that's what I believe. But I am not holding it against you."

"Don't hate me."

"The world is getting meaner, crueler. Hate caused many problems and left some unsolved. And that is something I don't want to add in this situation."

Tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya. I saw relief in her eyes. Tila may gusto pa siyang sabihin ngunit mabilis na umiwas ng tingin. I guess not all childhood friendship lasts long. I guess some friendships change over time. Not just because of the less communication and the distance but also because of the fate that doesn't match us.

Paglabas ko ng silid, nakita ko si Eren sa malapit na malaking vase dito sa lobby. Agad akong napangiti nang tumingin agad siya sa akin. I jogged towards him and took his extended hand, interlocking our fingers in between each other's spaces.

"Tapos na kayong mag-usap ng kakilala mo?" marahan niyang tanong.

I nodded jollily. Tumango rin siya ng tipid at giniya ako paalis na ng mismong building na aking pinagtatrabahuan.

We went directly to the airport the next day because the Buenavistas and the Figueroas are going back home. Ganoon lang ang naging araw namin ni Eren. And I am still trying my best to find the right time to tell him about Faith. I know he thinks I already dropped this subject. That is why it seems hard for me to open it up again. O kung nararapat ko ba talagang sabihin ito sa kanya nang wala naman patunay si Faith kung totoo ang mga sinasabi niya sa akin.