The Haunting Past

XVII

I was driving back down from Antipolo.

Mrs. Concillo's words soothing, it lingers in my mind while driving.

I pulled over, I couldn't take it anymore, I might met an accident if I continued driving while really, really disturb.

*flashback awhile ago*

"P-po?... S-sunog po!"

Her stares went blank.

I see no emotions in her eyes.

I felt a sudden cold run down through my spine.

And then she spoke.

"Her name was Sandra!"

But she turned her gaze to a bonsai seating over the center table between us.

I was a bit confused with what she just said but didn't say a thing, I remained idle and waited for her to continue.

"And her son... was.. Eduardo!"

The son's name rang a bell.

Her cat leaped from her lap as if so full of the story, I didn't notice where it went.

Her face was stiff and was like just telling me to do my chores. But I remained listening.

"Namatay sila pareho.... Napakaraming taon ng nakararaan..."

I swallowed.

"Doon mismo sa apartment mo!"

I shivered.

But not because of what she just said, well, partly.

But because of the way she was staring at me.

She was staring at me with...

Anger!?

And...

Hate!?"

I wasn't sure.

"A-ano pong dahilan?"

And then her stares went blank again.

"Eduardo was being murdered...

At si S-Sandra naman..

Took her own life!"

*gulp*

I swallowed once more.. and swallowed again.

"S-sino pong may gawa nun kay E-Eduardo?"

She was still staring at me..

finally..

blinked her eyes.

"Alam mo Christy...

May mga bagay na akala natin eh makakatulong sa atin kayat pilit nating inaalam!---

Pero akala mo lang yun!"

I winced.

"A-no pong ibig niyong sabihin?"

She took a deep breath.

"Nang gugulo parin ba sila hangang ngayon?"

"Opo! At..B-bayolente po sila!?---"

"Maaaring humihingi sila ng tulong sayo hija! Ikaw ang gusto nila!"

"B-bakit naman po ako? Anong kinalaman ko?"

*paused *

"Sandra murdered him!"