Zaldivar Series #1: Weaving Lies and Chaos

Kabanata 29

My DNA is ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent matched with Joaquin Serrano's DNA according to the fucking results.

I placed the envelope back in the table when I feel my insides trembling. Wala sa sariling bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo dahil sa panghihina ng aking mga tuhod.

I became numb and the only thing I can hear is my heartbeat.

But a scream from Rieselle and a panicking voice from Tita Cecille broke the silence.

"Mommy!"

"Estella!"

The next thing I know, Estella Serrano already lost her consciousness. Agad naman siyang nasalo ng asawa niya na natauhan lang din nang makitang nawalan na ng malay ang asawa.

I stayed in my place while everything panicked at what happened. I am rooted in my place, like a tree who wants to move, swayed by the wind but failed. Still rooted.

We're with a doctor that immediately assisted her to check her vital signs.

At matapos sabihin ng doktor na maayos ang lagay ni Mrs. Serrano ay noon ko na pinilit ang sarili na gumalaw.

I snatched the envelope in front of me as I hastily place the result of the test inside. Tumayo ako at walang pasabing naglakad palabas ng dining hall.

I heard them calling my name but I'm determined to leave, especially that I can feel my chest tightening and it's getting harder to breathe as a big lump is stuck in my throat.

Nang makalabas ng mansyon ay noon ko natantong nakasunod sa akin si Chaos.

"Let me drive," he muttered. Tila alam niya kung saan ang tungo ko.

I let him and hastily went inside his car. Hindi ko na siya hinintay na pagbuksan pa ako ng pinto. Sa pagmamadali ko ay hindi na rin siya nakaabot.

Our ride was completely silent. Maybe he can feel that my emotions were full. Na isang salita mula sa kanya ay sasabog ang mga emosyon ko. I might cry or might get angry in just one word right now.

He didn't ask where we're going nor asked me if I'm alright because it was obvious that I'm not.

Nang tuluyang huminto ang kotse niya, tama ako sa hinalang alam niya kung saan ako pupunta.

We're here in front of the building where Flavio was residing back then. Bumaba ako bago pa niya 'ko muling pagbuksan. He got out of the car too and started nearing my way.

"I'll wait here," sambit niya na tinanguan ko.

Hindi na ako nagsalita at basta na lamang siyang tinalikuran matapos tumango. In my hand is the envelope while inside it is the DNA test result.

Dali-dali akong sumakay sa elevator at inip na inip habang umaakyat ito ng bawat palapag.

I am too eager to confront Dad about this result but no one was inside when I arrived at Flavio's unit. His things weren't inside his room either.

Napaisip ako kung saan siya maaaring magtungo ngunit isa lang pumasok sa aking isip. Sinabi ko sa kanya noon na rito ko siya babalikan kung makabibisita man ako mula sa pagtatago. At ngayong nakabisita na at naimpormang nakabalik na ay tingin ko, iyon ang dahilan kung bakit wala na siya sa condo ni Flavio. Palagay ko ay umuwi siya sa aming lumang mansyon.

I immediately informed Chaos and told him the address of our mansion.

When we arrived, I instantly concluded that my hunch is right when I saw that the mansion is open. Dala ang envelope sa aking kamay ay dire-diretso akong pumasok ng mansyon.