Five O'clock Sky (Nueva Caceres#1)

CHAPTER 23

It's my birthday today so here's an update for all of you.

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Chapter 23: Home

"Please tell me this isn't an illusion, Rika."

Bagamat hindi pa tuluyang nagigising ang aking diwa, I was aware about the presence of two people in my room.

"It isn't, darling." Natatawang sagot ng isa pang tinig. "She's home. Our daughter's home."

Recognizing the voice and realizing where was I, my eyes flew open. Bumalikawas ako ng bangon at nadako ang tingin sa dalawang taong nakatayo malapit sa pinto ng silid.

"Mom... D-Dad..."

Walang sinayang na segundo ang Mommy at agad akong dinaluhan sa kama at sinalubong ng yakap. Face soft and teary eyes.

"Oh, sweetheart, you surprised us!" Pa anggil niyang saad subalit nasa tinig ang kasiyahan at pagiging emosyonal. Nagtagal ang aming yakapan bago kumalas ang Mommy. She gently cupped my face. "Kailan ka lang dumating, ha?"

"Last night, Mom. Sabi ng katulong ay nagpapahinga na kayo. So I didn't bother to disturb you and went straight to my room."

Pagdating ko kagabi ay napakatahimik ng mansion. Mabuti na lang at may isang gising na katulong na siyang nagpapasok sa akin. Maging ito ay nagulat hindi lang sa biglaan kong pag-uwi kundi dahil basang-basa ako ng ulan. Dumeretso ako ng kwarto at naligo. Dahil sa pagod ay nakalimutan ko na ang gutom. I was too tired and I missed my bed so much that minutes after I threw myself on the mattress, I eventually fell off asleep.

"Then why didn't you gave us a heads up that you're going home? We could have picked you up. Malakas pa naman ang ulan kagabi."

"I'm... I'm sorry, Mom. It was unplanned flight. I rented a car all the way here." I explained simply. Wala akong balak ikwento pa ang nangyaring aberya because I know she'll go hysterical.

I looked over Mom's shoulder and the smile on my face disappeared. Wala na doon ang Daddy. He went out without greeting me.

"After all these years, Dad's still mad at me, isn't he?" I uttered sadly.

"If you only knew what your father has been through without you, mi hija." Mom giggled and pinched my nose. "Mabuti pa at maligo ka na. We have so many things to talk about over breakfast."

Mom pulled me out from the bed and pushed me inside the bathroom. I can't help but laughed. She's cute when she's happy. Like a mom to her six year old daughter.

Pagkalabas ko ng bathroom, hindi ko alam kung ma iiling o ngingiti nang makitang may nakalatag na damit sa higaan. Mom surely have prepared it for me.

Itinaas ko ang blue long sleeve blouse. Sunod kong sinuri ang denim jeans. These are just two out of the many clothes that I wasn't able to wear even once. May price tag pa. For the past years, I gained a bit weight, but I have maintained my fit and slim figure, so the blouse and jeans could still fit.

It was nearly 8 o'clock when I went down to the dining area. Habang pababa ako ng hagdan ay may narinig akong nagtatawanan sa dining hall. Ang isang tinig ay alam kong kay Mommy. And the other woman's voice seemed very familiar. In confusion, curiosity and excitement, binilisan ko ang pagbaba ng hagdan.

Ganon nalang ang aking pagkagulat nang hindi lang ang Mommy ang naabutan ko sa hapagkainan. She was talking and laughing to the woman whom I thought was in another part of the world right now!

Hindi agad ako nakakilos sa pagkabigla. Parehong nabaling ang atensyon ng dalawa sa akin. Dahlia smiled smugly and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Ang tagal mo, brat. Kanina pa ako nagugutom."