KUMPAS

Chapter 20

ELLA

"Come on, let's go down!" yaya ni Ate sa akin.

We have finished our dinner pero si ate, kanina pa siya tapos. Mom and Dad are just having their desserts.

"Ayaw ko, mauna ka na." sabi ko.

"Ang corny mo naman sis. Party ito, hindi prayer meeting para magmukmok at magsolo dito." she said habang umiiling.

Natawa na lang sila Mom.

"Oo nga. Join the others iha. Remember, it's a party and it's your special night too." she said while looking at me.

Dad already told them that he will be announcing tonight about my new role in the company. He thinks that this is the best time to inform everyone that I will officially be a part of DJCC.

Mom is ecstatic and of course Ate too. She is really excited for me. Alam niya na I can bé an asset sa company and she's willing to step down as VP. Matagal na rin niyang hinihiling ito sa akin dahil aminado siyang I am more qualified sa position.  Napilitan lang kasi siya dati because of Dad.

Ang alam ko, pangarap talaga ni Ate ang maging chef. So, may chance na daw siya to pursue her dream. Nabanggit niya na baka sumunod na lang siya kay kuya Renz sa UK.

I don't blame her, bakit nga naman siya mag-e-stay sa work kung hindi naman siya masaya?

Parang sa relasyon din yan, why stay if you're not happy anymore?

Talaga ba Ella?

I just hope that I will not disappoint my family.

"Ikaw talaga Ate, nandadamay lagi." sabi ko.

"So you can meet others." Mom insisted.

"I know Mom but I'm comfortable here. You go ahead Ate." I replied.

"May iniiwasan ka lang sa baba kamo." Ate said.

"Ha, sino?" tanong ni Mom tuloy.

Tinignan ko ng masama si Ate.

"Hahaha, joke lang Mom. Sige, bahala ka nga. Basta ako bababa na." she said.

"Ella, I want you to join your sister downstairs." Dad said afterwards.

Nakikinig pala siya sa amin.

"Okay Dad." sabi ko na lang para di na siya magtanong kung bakit ayokong bumaba.

I put my mask on and followed Ate kaso ang bilis niya. Di ko na siya makita. Naglakad ako para hanapin siya kaso wala pa akong isang minuto sa baba, nawalan na ng ilaw.

"What the?!" I uttered while looking around.

It's all dark for a sec. I search my phone in my bag but I can't find it. This mask is irritating me. Gusto ko na itong tanggalin. Inis na inis ako sa paghalungkat sa loob ng maliit kong bag pero hindi ko pa rin ito makapa.

Serious na tanong.

Bakit ba pag may hinahanap ka, saka mo ito hindi makita?

Kasi sa iba ka nakatingin?

Someone turned their cp flashlight so I followed the light para doon bulatlatin ang aking bag kaso yung pagtabi ko sa tao, bigla naman itong humarap sa akin kaya bukod sa nasagi niya ako ay nasapul pa ang mukha ko ng liwanag. I covered my eyes in an instance kahit naka mask ako.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." the woman said.

The light from her cellphone disappear. He voice sounds familiar! Pati ang pabango niya. I glanced at her and even if she's wearing a mask, I can tell that it's her.