Eight Letters

Chapter 14

Elliana's Point Of View

Three days after the incident, I received a call from Papa. As expected, he's disappointed about what happened. Nalaman ko ring bata ang naging dahilan ng sunog dahil sa paglalaro nito ng lighter. This is why parents need to give attention to their children. Hindi ko naman masisisi ang bata, he's just a kid.

"Wala pang isang taon, Elliana. Nangyari na agad ito." Papa's voice was strong.

"I'm sorry, Pa. Maayos naman ang reports noon at—"

"Oh don't give me that crap, Elliana. You better fix everything within three months or else I'll find someone who will replace your position." He then ended the call.

Napasandal ako sa swivel chair at agad na tinawagan si Yvonne. Agad rin naman nitong sinagot ang tawag.

"Love, Papa threatened me to fix everything within three months or else he'll find someone to replace me. Sa tingin ko mas maganda na humanap ng ibang gagawa ng project. Hindi mo kakayanin 'yon."

Nag-aalala rin ako, sobrang pagod na ni Yvonne sa school dadagdagan ko pa.

"Kaya ko," she firmly said.

"Yvonne, please, huwag ng matigas ang ulo. Focus more on your studies. Ikaw naman ang gagawa ng bahay natin soon."

"I already gave you my word, Elliana. I am not taking it back. Gagawin ko ang blueprint sa loob ng tatlong buwan. Kaya kong gawin 'yon."

"Love, tama na."

"Why, Elli? Don't you trust me?"

"I do, but this is too much. Manghihingi ako ng extension kay Papa. I'm sure he'll give it to me, I'm her only daughter."

I sounded so helpless. Bakit ba kasi lumaking matigas ang ulo ng isang ito. Pati sa 'kin hindi nakikinig.

"Normally, a hotel blueprint takes about twenty-four months to finish. Three months? Really, Love? Hindi mo talaga kakayanin 'yon. Lalo na't hindi ka professional architect at wala pang experience," dagdag ko.

"Trust me, Love. Trust the process."

"Yvonne, makinig ka kasi sa 'kin."

Mahinang natawa ito sa kabilang linya. "Kailan ba ako hindi nakinig sa 'yo? Elliana, gagawin ko nga. Got to go, Love, tapos na break time. I love you."

"I love you too. Ingat ka."

Pagtingin ko sa cellphone ay end na ang call. My day continued and ended in just a snap. Agad kong tinawagan si Brad at nakipag-meet up sa malapit na bar. I need a drink, just a sip or two.

"Don't make it a big deal, Elli, and you'll be fine," Brad winked and handed me a drink.

I rolled my eyes. "You don't know what I'm feeling as of the moment, Brad. I suggest you shut the fuck up."

I took a sip from my drink. Sumandal ako sa kinauupuan at hinayaan ang sarili na namnamin ang alak. Na-miss kong uminom.

"What are you going to do now? I didn't know your girlfriend could be so persistent as hell. Bagay nga kayo, parehong matigas ang ulo."

"Kung wala ka ring sasabihing maganda, manahimik ka nalang. Dinadagdagan mo ang sakit ko sa ulo," nakapikit na ani ko.

Nasa isang vip room kaming dalawa. Sound proof naman ito kaya hindi namin naririnig ang ingay sa labas.

"Let her be. Magpadala ka nalang ng professional architect doon para matulungan siya. Easy as that. Hindi ka nag-iisip."

Nagmulat ako ng mga mata at nilingon siya. I gave him the 'really' look.

"My girlfriend is pretty as fuck and I don't want any guy to be with her for like three months. Lalo naman sa babae. My Yvonne is so cool and sweet so it's a big no no."

"Napaka-selosa nga naman. Anong gagawin mo? Eh hindi nga nakikinig sa 'yo."

"I'll try contacting Papa. Nag-iisang anak niya ako, Brad, ibibigay niya ang gusto ko."

"You're not so sure about that, Elliana. Kung matigas ka, lalo naman si Tito. Pupunta muna ako sa baba, hanapin mo nalang ako kung uuwi ka na."

Tumayo agad ito at nag-martsa paalis. I was left all alone in the room. I drowned myself with alcohol and enjoyed my time alone.

Kinalaunan ay napag-pasiyahan ko na ring umuwi. I left a message to Brad and didn't bother looking for him. Dire-diretso lang ako sa garahe. Nang nasa labas na ako ay may nakabanggaan pa akong lalaki.

"Tumingin ka nga sa dinadaanan mo," he hissed.

"Excuse me, nakatingin ako sa dinadaanan ko. Ako 'yong binangga mo not the other way around," depensa ko.

He eyed me from head to foot. Nagsalubong ang kilay nito. Walang sabi-sabing nilagpasan lang ako nito at dumiretso papasok ng bar. Walang modo, hindi man lang nag-sorry.

It's already eleven in the evening when I reached our house. Bukas pa ang ilaw sa living room at gising pa si Manang. I requested a hot coffee and made my way upstairs.

"Pa?" I uttered the moment Papa answered my call.

"This is Mama, anak. Don't pressure yourself too much. Remember to rest. Huwag mo ng pansinin ang sinabi ng Papa mo sa iyo."

Tears immediately rolled down my cheeks as I heard Mama's voice. Naninikip ang dibdib ko at gusto kong magsumbong kay Mama ng mga hinaing ko.

"Ma, kamusta? How's your vacation?" sa halip ay tanong ko.

"Nakakatuwa na nakakapanibago. The atmosphere, the feels, everything feels strange and new. Ikaw? Kumakain ka ba sa tamang oras? Do you usually go to parties like what you always do?"

"Kagagaling ko lang sa bar. I was with Brad."

"Nakauwi ka na?"

"Yes, Ma."

I was interrupted by a knock. Nang buksan ko iyon ay si Manang na may dalang gatas.

"Manang, I requested for coffee," reklamo ko.

"Makakatulong 'to sa 'yo para makatulog ka agad," a warm smile escaped from Manang's lips.

"Thanks, Manang. Good night."

I closed the door and went back to talking to Mama.

"Everyone cares for you, Elli."

"I know, Ma. I can feel it. Anyway, bakit gising ka pa? And where's Papa?"

"Fast asleep. Nagising ako dahil sa tawag mo."

"Oh, well, you should get back to sleeping na, Ma."

"You go to sleep na rin. Goodnight, Elli."

"Night, Ma."

"Take your time with the hotel, anak. Ako na ang bahala sa Papa mo. Aksidente naman ang nangyari. Don't worry about it, okay? Mama always have your back."

"I love you, Ma."

"I love you too, anak. Lumabas-labas ka rin minsan, okay? Huwag kang gumaya sa Papa mo na tutok sa trabaho, barely had time to enjoy. Maybe you'll find yourself a lover and finally give me a grandchild."

"Ma, twenty-five pa ako!"

"I had you when I was twenty-three, Elliana."

"Mama," reklamo ko.

"I'm going back to sleep, Elli. 'Yong binilin ko sa 'yo. Good night." I shut my eyes out of frustration and sat there, motionless.

I finished my milk and went to bed. Hindi na ako nag-abalang gawin ang night skin care ko dahil sa pagod. Humiga agad ako at hindi namalayang nakatulog na pala.

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