Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 20- Big-hearted

Busying myself while looking out the car window is a great distraction. I don't get to think much of Wren’s presence beside me.

I sighed. It was a sunny day, but the heat wasn't enough to cause me to sweat. I have counted the trees we have passed, and I was on thirtieth or so until I lost count of them.

We stopped when the traffic light turned red. Amidst the loud music playing inside our car, I get to hear some loud voices from the pavement…

“Bili ka na dito, Ganda! Murang-mura, sariwang-sariwa!”

“O! Biyaheng Bayan, Bayan! Isa na lang, aalis na oh!”

“Pakulay kaya ako buhok? Green? Para magmukha akong lumot?”

…and then followed by thunderous waves of laughter, leaving an echoing pain in my chest.

Laughters…

I haven't heard those from Craven, Mom, me, or anyone in the mansion. Maybe, it is all because of the curse of that house. Everyone will be infected by the gloominess of it once they enter, no matter how gullible of a person they are. That place will always have a way to tame you down.

I know. I am way too privileged to be compared to homeless people, and I will always be lucky that I don't have to experience poverty. But for me, home is different from having a house. I have a house to stay in—well a mansion. But not a home to rest when both my mind and heart were weary. I have a luxury bed to sleep my soul in comfort, but not a home; that could give me peace. For me, a home is when you have both loving parents. A home is not just about having a roof or a wall that could protect you from harm outside, but a home is a family that would protect each other against the intruder-storm. A home is the pair of arms that will lift you when you tripped, encourage you to raise your chin, and that will remind you that you are loved no matter what.

Craven… wasn’t lucky enough to have a home like that. We were given riches… and stitches to sew our broken hearts back in one piece. What was left with us was to pretend that money could buy our happiness.

“We’re here.” Nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang marinig ko ang sinabi ni Wren. Nakapasok na kami sa gate at nasa tapat na kami ng isang malaking bahay. Not like the Ishioka’s Mansion, but still huge. The house looks like a shingle-style house, from what I recall in my studies.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at bumaba na. Sumunod na rin si Wren. Iginiya niya ako papasok ng pinto hanggang sa makasalubong namin ang isang naka-black suit na lalaki. Maayos ang pagkakatali ng manbun nito at mukhang bagong ahit lang ang balbas. Tinapik nito si Wren sa balikat.

“Thanks, bro!” ani nito at inayos ang suot niyang tie.

“To her,” sagot ni Wren. Naiiling na tiningnan ako ng lalaki at iniabot ang kamay niya.

“It is nice to meet you Ms. Veridad,” naka-ngiting bati nito. Inabot ko ang kamay niya para makipag-shake hands. “I’m Cassian Gabriel , but you can call me Cassian. Wren's friend...,” pakilala niya.

Tumango ako sa kanya at ibinaling ang tingin kay Wren. I didn't know Wren’s friends knew me, but then again, they might have seen me on the news.

Patakbong lumapit ang isang bata sa gawi namin at nang makita si Wren ay nilagpasan niya si Cassian at patalong kumarga sa bodyguard ko.

“Would you behave well, Cassy?” tanong ni Cassian .

Nilingon ko ang batang tinawag niyang Cassy na ngayon ay karga na ni Wren gamit ang isang kamay niya.

“Opo Tay!” sagot nito at tumalbog-talbog pa ang matataba niyang pisngi sa pagtango. Hinawi ni Wren patalikod ang tuwid at mahab nitong buhok na tumatabing sa mukha niya.