Losing Her

Chapter 14: The Box

IRENE'S POV

After Celestine left I looked at the bed and saw the clothes I prepared kanina bago nasugatan si Lorreine. Hindi pa nga pala ako nakapag shower.

I took the clothes and went to the bathroom to take a bath.

After taking a bath ay nakaramdam na ako ng gutom so I texted Celestine and Lorreine to join me for lunch sa lobby. Lorreine called to say na hindi na daw sya sasabay dahil kumakain na sya sa room niya so I proceeded to go downstairs na lang.

Pagkababa ko sa lobby ay nakita kong nakaupo na si Celestine habang may kausap sa phone. May pagkain na rin naman sa table kaya di na ako nag-order at lumapit na lang sa kanya.

"Hi anak, you ordered na pala. Kanina ka pa?" I asked her.

"Yes po." She ended her phone call.

"Let's eat na." Naupo na ako sa harap niya.

Patapos na akong kumain pero wala pa ring nagsasalita sa aming dalawa so I looked at her. Ngayon ko lang napansin na habang lumalaki sya, mas lalo niyang nagiging kamukha si Manang Imee. That's when I was reminded na kailangan ko palang tawagan si Manang kung nakuha niya na yung box.

"Anak, excuse lang si mommy sandali ha, I just need to call someone." I said as I dialed Manang's number.

"Hm?" She looked at me.

I pointed at my phone as I stood up. She nodded in response then her phone suddenly rang.

"Hello po? Yes po dito po kami sa lobby, table 13." She said while looking around.

"Tita Imee! Here!" She waved her hand.

I followed her gaze and saw Manang walking to us while also waving her hand.

"Hi Celestine ko! I missed you!" They hugged and made beso.

"Oh Ading, saan ka?" She asked me.

"I was about to call you sana eh. How about you bat ka pala andito?" I asked.

"I visited kasi an official diyan sa may Sta Cruz. Sakto namang tumawag itong anak mo asking if I can join your vacation dahil umalis daw si Daddy niya." She explained.

"Sit down na po Tita, I ordered food na po for all of us." Celestine motioned the seat next to her.

"So bat mo pala ako tatawagan kanina Ading?" She asked innocently.

"Dumaan ka na ba sa bahay?" I asked her back.

"Ah yeah, nakuha ko na rin yung pinapabigay mo di ko pa nga lang nabubuksan. I actually brought it." She answered.

She was about to take something from her bag when I stopped her.

"Later na lang Manang by the beach, kain muna kayo." I said nervously.

Hindi niya pa nakikita.

Nagkwentuhan lang sila Celestine at Manang buong lunch and parang hindi sila nauubusan ng chika sa isa't-isa. Sumasagot din naman ako paminsan-minsan pag nagtatanong sila but mostly sila lang talaga nag-uusap.

They talk about things na hindi na ako masyadong nakaka-relate dahil about ito sa politics and some naman are stories ng bonding nila kapag nagkaka-time sila to meet each other. Marami silang napagkwentuhan so I guess madalas silang magkasama. Which is good at least they are very close na to each other.

"Uhm, Celestine anak, can I borrow your Tita Imee muna?" I interrupted their chikahan.

"Ah, yes po Mommy, I'll go to our room na lang po muna to get something to keep us busy. Sunod na lang po ako sa inyo." She said as we all stood up.

It was tanghali na but hindi naman gaanong kainitan so I decided na ayain si Manang na sa may tabing dagat na lang mag-usap.

We sat down sa part kung saan naaabot ng tubig yung paa namin. I can't find the courage to speak and I think naramdaman naman yun ni Manang kaya sya na ang unang nagsalita.

"Mind telling me what's in this box." She took the blue velvet box.

"It's uh-" I stuttered.

"It's okay Ading ko, you can speak your mind." She assured me.

"It's a flashdrive. It contains all the files you need to find your daughter." I bowed my head.

"W-wait, wait, wait, wait. Irene, the rescue team said she died in that car crash. P-paanong nahanap mo sya? K-kailan pa? Who is she? N-nasaan sya? Can you take me to her?" Tuloy-tuloy niyang tanong.

"No Manang, she's alive and yes I found her. She's-" I wasn't able to finish because she spoke again.

"H-how? Paano? Irene?" She's waiting for answers with full of mixed confusion and excitement.

I hope I can be as excited as her as I'm giving her this news.

"Promise me muna na papatapusin mo akong magsalita okay?" I asked her.

"Teka lang I-Irene hindi ko n-naiintindihan." She's confused. Who wouldn't be?

"Just promise me Manang please?" I asked again.

"O-okay." She sighed.

"It was Celestine, she's your Ellie (El-lee)." I looked away.

"P-pano?" She wasn't able to continue. We are both speechless.