Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 34 - The Cowardly Cat Chases Away The Courageous Dog

“Pa-scan na lang po ng QR code, Ma'am,” ani ng driver habang pasimpleng sumusulyap-sulyap sa mataas na gate ng mansion.

“Oh right!” Kinuha ko ang phone ko at ini-scan iyon. I went to Gracia’s house after I visited Wren. She installed an app on my phone, so whenever I needed money. I just need to give her a ring and she'll immediately send me the amount. She also taught me how to use this app, and given that I am born genius, I immediately pick-up the necessary process when doing a transaction. Like for example, in this moment, paying through a qr code.

“Done!” I said, savoring the feeling of independency, it is like giving myself a pat on my back mentally.

“Dito po kayo nakatira, Ma'am?” Nang hindi makatiis ay tanong ng driver. Ang kaninang tuwa na sumibol sa puso ko ay napalitan nang pagkadisgusto. How can I say that I once lived here? The same place I loathed the most.

Mula sa naka-ngiting mukha ng driver ay inilipat ko ang tingin sa malaking gate ng mansion. If only my stare could melt metal then we would no longer have to stopped here and drive straight through the main door of the mansion.

“No.” Not anymore. Never again.

I jumped out of the taxi and watched as it drive away from here. Hinawi ko ang alikabok na nagliparan sa pag-alis ng taxi. Kasabay noon ay ang paglapit ng isa sa mga tauhan ni Dad. Nakaitim na turtle neck sa katanghalian at naka-suot ng itim rin na earpiece.

“Mag-isa ka lang?” tanong nito sa iisang tono. Ganito lahat ang tauhan ni Dad. Aakalain mong mga robot ang mga ito. Hindi ko tinago ang pag-irap ko sa tanong niya.

“Do I look like two persons to you?” sarkastiko kong tanong. I don't know if Eumir’s people do know how to do basic math, or could even count.

Hindi natinag ang batong ekspresyon nito at napatango sa akin pagkaraa'y sumakay na kami ng golf cart patungong mansion.

While on our way, I tried to contemplate myself. Everything that I'll do and say was already planned. I can't mess everything up, or Craven will be in danger. I immediately jumped off the cart the moment we stopped infront of the mansion. My noodle legs due to nervousness almost cause me to stumble. However, I manage to hold on to the cart for support.

“I’m okay,” I answered hearing the voices in my ear.

We walked straight to Eumir’s office. I still remember how this place look like and which corridor will lead me to which, but everything felt different. Gloomier than ever, that I could feel there's barely no air around. Maybe because in just a short time, I get used to Wren's and Tita Ava’s warm house. Maybe it wasn't the place that changed, maybe I changed, and how I perceived home to be, that's why.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad. Naagaw ang atensyon ko nang nakaawang na pinto ng library. Hindi ko na sana iyon papansinin kung hindi ko lang nakita ang pares ng mga mata na nakasilip mula rito. Tinanaw ko ang naghahatid sa akin at nasa malayong parte na siya kaya walang anu-anong pinasok ko ang loob ng library. Tumambad sa akin ang balisang si Mom. Agad niyang sinara ang pinto at ni-lock iyon. May kadiliman sa loob pero kita parin namin ang isa’t-isa dahil sa naka-bukas na table lamp.

“Where’s Craven?” mahinang tanong ko ngunit puno ng awtoridad ang boses. I still have my respect to her but mainly because she gave birth to me and nothing else.

“Why are you here?” sa halip ay tanong niya. Pinagmasdan kong paglaruan niya ang mga daliri niya. With her heavy breathing, visible anxiousness, and eyes wide open, she looks like someone who snack on coffee powder.

“Hah!” I smirked. “So, I'm officially not the part of the family, huh? How many days have I been away? Not even a week,” pang-uuyam ko pero hindi nito iyon pansin. Bigla ay kumapit siya sa magkabilang braso ko.