Series 01: Lucas Clemente

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Nagising siya sa sobrang pananakit ng kanyang ulo. Nakaramdam din siya ng gutom kaya't nais niyang bumangon. She was about to open her eyes when she heard someone's voice.

"Delete all her social media apps." It was her mother.

"Already deleted, ma'am." That voice came from her manager, Melody.

"Don't let her touch any computers, laptops, or even phones. Any kinds of gadgets. Keep it away for a moment and let this issue calm down."

What issue?

Dahan-dahan niyang dinilat ang kanyang mga mata at naglibot ng tingin. She's still in her room. Nandito ang kanyang manager at ang kanyang ina. Nasa sulok ng silid si Sebastian na parang nag-iigting ng kanyang panga. It's as if he's restraining himself from bursting out of anger.

"Xiana!" her mother exclaimed the moment she saw her awake.

Bumangon siya habang hawak ang sintido at maagap naman ang kanyang ina sa pag-alalay sa kanya paupo. Someone put a pile of pillows behind her to lean on. Tinignan niya isa-isa ang mga taong nasa paligid niya.

They look nervous and frustrated.

"Anong nangyari?" she softly asked.

Her mother smiled. "Wala, anak. Nahimatay ka lang. Kailangan mo lang ng maraming pahinga. Anong gusto mong kainin?"

Nang maalala niya ang dahilan kung bakit siya nahimatay kanina ay mabilis siyang umiling. Inalis niya ang makapal na kumot na tumatakip sa kanya at sinubukang bumaba ng kama, ngunit maagap naman siyang pinipigilan ng kanyang ina.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Nasaan ang bagahe ko? Kailangan ko nang umalis. 'Yung phone ko? Nasaan? Where's my phone?!" Hindi na niya mapigilan pa ang sariling magtaas ng boses.

"Xiana, calm down." Her manager went to her and caressed her back. "Relax, Hon. You baby might not handle your emotional distress."

Xiana shook her head. "Eípa óti eímai kalá, Melody. Prépei na fýgo apó aftó to méros." [translation: I said I'm fine, Melody. I have to leave this place.]

"Den boreís, Xiana. Parakaló, móno pros to parón akoúste mas," Melody replied.[translation: You can't, Xiana. Please, just for now listen to us.]

"Ochi." Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang kanyang Manager at naglakad patungong pinto. [translation: No.]

Nang marinig niya ang pagtawag ng kanyang kapatid ay tinakbo na niya ang distansya ng pinto. As soon as she stepped outside, she ran downstairs barefooted. Napapalingon sa kanya ang mga maids ngunit hindi niya ito pinansin.

Nang buksan niya ang pinto ay nagulat siya sa rami ng paparazzi na naghihintay sa kanya sa labas. Her eyes widened. The flashes of cameras started making her still. She was rooted in her place and watched how they went hyped after seeing her.

Napaigtad siya nang may humila sa kanya pabalik sa loob ng bahay. Sebastian immediately closed the door and dragged her toward the couch. She's confused about what's happening. Hindi niya maintindihan ang mga nangyayari?

What are those paparazzi doing outside?

"Anong meron?" she asked. "Anong nangyayari? Kuya, bakit may paparazzi sa labas?"

Umupo si Sebastian sa kanyang tabi at kinapa ang kanyang pisngi. He wiped the tears tumbling down her cheeks that she didn't notice. Mailap ang mga mata ng kanyang kapatid na parang may tinatago. Hindi niya tuloy maiwasang kabahan.