"I'm sorry but maybe you are becoming mistaken." Biro ko at saka humarap kay Paulo para higitin siya papasok ng bahay but he didn't budge. Instead, tinitigan niya ako sa mga mata na parang nagsasabing maniwala ako sa babae.
Nasa harapan lang kami ng pinto kaya binitawan ko na lang ang kamay niya at sinubukang pindutin ang pin ng pinto pero hindi pa ako nakakakilos ay hinawakan ni Pau ang siko ko para paharapin ako sa kanya. "Look Pau, we are not even sure if she's just bluffing-"
"She's not." Putol niya sa akin na parang kilalang-kilala niya ang babae.
I scoffed. "And how did you know? You meet this woman? She talked to you and ask how would I react if one day she show up..." I stopped halfway when realization hit me.
Kung isang araw bumalik siya, anong gagawin mo?
My eyes turned bloodshot as I stared at him back with the same intensity he was giving. So that was the reason why he suddenly brought up my mom the other day. He was meeting up with her. Did he really believe her nonsense? Who would know if she's just a fraudster. Pabalya kong hinigit ang braso ko mula sa pagkakahawak ni Paulo at saka padabog na naglakad palayo. He tried calling my name but I didn't look back. How come he decide this easily? How come he didn't ask for me? Totoo man ang claims ng babae, don't I deserve to know first? What do they take me for?
Binilisan ko ang kilos ko at saka naglakad papunta sa kung saan. Nang makakita ako ng taxi ay agad akong sumakay without even thinking where I am going hanggang sa natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili kong nasa harapan na ng bahay nina dad. Almost all of my siblings were all married now so there's no one in the house anymore except dad and mom who barely come home.
It was late at night. The house is also already lights out.
"Elle?" Asked a familiar voice from the side. When I stared back, I realized that it was Kuya Dave on his specs. Unlike my other Kuya, he was still single right now because just like me, he was pursuing medicine. I wonder what he's doing here at this hour. I doubt he was staying here.
"Kuya, do you know something about my mom?" Tanong ko sa kanya kahit alam ko namang imposible. He was older than me for years but he was still a little kid when I was born.
"Why? Did she approach you?!" Tarantang tanong niya pero nang ma-realize niyang nakuha ko ay agad niyang sinubukang hawakan ang braso ko pero agad din akong umiwas. He also knows. "Elle..."
I stepped back.
I feel betrayed.
Now I suddenly realized that he was here because he had something to discuss with dad. Something urgent that he needs to be here immediately and give up his hours that was supposedly alloted with studying or resting. "Elle!" He called and chased me as I walk inside the house almost stomping my feet.
Naalarma ang lahat ng tao sa bahay kaya isa-isang nabuhay ang ilaw. I didn't hesitated even everyone were all trying to stop me from moving upstairs. I was too upset to even care about anyone. Without any warning, I pushed the door of the master's bedroom where dad and mom were sleeping. Gulat silang nagmulat ng mga mata at saka bumangon.
