LOVE, LIES, PAYBACK (Unveiled Series #1)

CHAPTER 14: MEMORIES

"Ihahatid ka na namin." He firmly said, as if implying that it's not up for further discussion.

"Oo na." My brief response, while my eyes remained focused only on the road ahead of us.

His words carried a determination that I couldn't change. I knew there was nothing I could do but to just follow along. In my mind, I also realized that I couldn't stop it anyway. So, I just nodded and looked ahead at the road we were taking.

Despite my feelings, I didn't show it. I just nodded and accepted his decision. I knew it was also for my own good. Instead of complaining, I just accepted his decision and focused on the road ahead.

Aaron's father started the car and drove off.

"Bakit ba lagi kang galit evol?"

"Hindi ako galit!"

"Galit ka kaya, tapos sobrang sungit. Ngumiti ka naman minsan." Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya.

Sobrang sungit pala ah!

Unexpectedly, my gaze suddenly fixed on a small photo up ahead. I even adjusted my seat to get a better look at it.

It was a family picture, with a man and a woman on the sides, and a young boy in the middle looking serious as he stared at the one taking the photo.

"Cute ko di'ba?" Mayabang na tanong ni Aaron.

Napansin niya siguro na nakatingin ako sa litrato na nasa unahan. Pinaabot niya naman ito sa kaniyang tatay at nang makuha na niya ito ay bigla itong napangiti.

It's the first time I've seen his smiles, and they appear unique compared to others.

You can sense his happiness when he gazes at that picture.

"This is my mom and dad." Saad niya na nakatitig parin sa litrato na hawak niya. Tinuro niya ang isang babae at lalaki na nasa gilid.

"Ang bata niyo pa po dito." Saad ko habang nakatingin sa tatay ni Aaron na abala sa pagmamaneho.

"Naku ma'am, hindi po ako 'yan." saad ng tatay ni Aaron.

Nagtaka naman ako sa sinabi niya.

Hindi siya iyong kasama ni Aaron sa litrato pero siya 'yung tatay?

Sino naman iyon?

"Sila 'yung totoo kong magulang." Naluluhang saad ni Aaron.

"Siya si mom," tinuro niya ang babae na katabi sa litrato. "I don't know her name. Ang alam ko lang isa siyang kasambahay... Siya naman si dad," tinuro niya ang lalaki sa litrato. "My childhood friends are familiar with him because he serves as it's driver and they frequently encounter him. My father's name is Lheo... Isang buwan ko lang silang nakasama noong bata pa ako at pagkatapos nun ay naghiwalay na sila. Hindi ko alam ang rason ng paghihiwalay nila, isang araw nagising na lang ako na parehas na silang nag iimpake, ang sabi nila ay may pupuntahan daw pero umiiyak sila," pagkukuwento ni Aaron at tumawa pa pero mararamdam ang sakit sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa kaniyang bibig. "Gusto ko mang sumama sa kanila pero sinasabi nila na mabilis lang daw naman sila, may kakausapin lang." Dagdag pa niya.

"Nung gabi, nakita ko ang batang 'yan dun sa may tindahan malapit sa bahay namin," saad ng lalaking nagda-drive, ngayon ay hindi ko na alam kung kaano-ano niya ang lalaking ito. Nalilito na ako.

"Umiiyak 'yan habang nakanta ng london bridge."

"Tay naman."