The Truth About Us (COMPLETED)

36

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang matagpuan ko ulit sa library si Nessie. She was usually here every day and I could never ask for more. Mabuti na lang at umaalis na siya sa kuwarto niya matapos ang nangyari.

"Can I come in?"

"This is your house, silly."

Palihim akong napangiti. Now, now. How's that for my morning. Ayokong umasa pero ipinagpapasalamat kong kaya na akong kausapin ni Nessie nang ganito at hindi nagsusungit o napipikon. Although there were times that I caught her becoming uncomfortable with me pero bilang lang naman iyon. She was slowly warming up to me and I conclude was because we spend almost all the time together. 

Hindi ko mapigilan na maisip kung ano ang mangyayari pagkatapos masolusyunan ang problema namin. Can we talk like this again? And how can I see her often? Papayag ba siyang lumabas kasama ko minsan? She must think it's a friendly dinner but screw that. My reason was too far from being platonic.

Umupo na ako sa dati kong puwesto kung saan ko malayang napagmamasdan si Nessie. I found myself getting amused whenever I saw her frowning while typing words in her laptop. Katapat ko siya kaya may palusot na ako kung mahuli man niya akong nakamasid sa kanya.

Hinayaan ko muna siya sa ginagawa niya nang mga isang oras bago ko siya ginulo. To my surprise, she lifted her head and raised her eyebrows while giving me a questioning look. Hindi siya napikon dahil inalis ko ang atensyon niya sa ginagawa niya.

"Bakit?"

"What do you want to eat today?"

She shrugged. "Kahit ano? Kung ano na lang i-prepare nina Manang."

"They are not going to cook. It's their rest day." Kahit na walang trabaho ang mga kasambahay ay hindi muna namin sila pinapaalis sa bahay. Mas mabuti nang maging maingat. Hindi alam kung sino ang susunod na pupuntiryahin ng kung sino man at ayaw kong may masaktan pa na kahit sino. 

When Nessie called me that day and told me the news about Aesper, doon lang ako natakot talaga para sa kalagayan niya. Then I began muttering curses to myself, of how stupid I am not to believe her. Kahit na palagay lang iyon ni Nessie, may dahilan para maging alerto dahil hindi ka basta-basta matatakot lang. If someone makes you feel threatened, then there was an existing problem.

I became mindful of my surroundings. Hindi mo alam kung malapit lang ba ang tao at naghahanap ng oportunidad para makapanakit. Aesper was always inside the mansion and yet, he still managed to kill him. The fed has said that maybe he lured the dog and did the heinous crime.

Dahil wala kaming kaalam-alam na may nakaaway si Nessie ay hindi maresolba ang kaso. Wala pa ring lead hanggang ngayon at naiinip kami. 

Everytime the police said that we were not progressing, ikinasasama ng loob ni Nessie iyon. Kaya ako na lang ang kumakausap palagi sa awtoridad.

I talked to her once and asked if she wants to have a new dog that can cheer her up. Alam kong naapektuhan siya sa pagkamatay ni Aesper and I know he's important for her. Tinanggihan niya ang ideya ko at sinabing hindi mapapalitan si Aesper nang kahit sino. So I respect her decision and come up with other ways that may cheer her up. 

"Kahit delivery na lang. We can eat unhealthy foods for now. Minsan lang naman."

Napangisi ako. "For sure, Hansse will like that." Naalala ko kung paano magreklamo si Hansse na kakaunti lang ang mga junk foods sa refrigerator. Alam kong uubusin niya agad ang mga iyon kaya hinahabilin ko na kaunti lang ang bilhin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nga siya nagrereklamo samantalang alam kong kumakain din siya ng mga ganoon sa university.

She smiled. "Pretty sure na magtatalon iyon sa tuwa."

"Nakakausap mo ba parents mo?" I asked. Kahit naman ayaw ako ng mga magulang iya ay hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang mag-alala. They are after all important to the woman I love.