𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 (𝐆𝐗𝐆) (Completed)

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐈𝐈. 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐗 101

The rain was pouring hard outside but my mother hasn't home yet. Peeking at the wall clock, the time was already forty-six minutes past seven when she should have been here before six.

Hearing heavy footsteps downstairs, I saw tita Isabelle running her way as a black coat was hanging on her forearm and car keys on her left hand.

"Tita, where are you going?" I asked after I put down my phone on the center table. I was currently sitting in the reception area while waiting for her. Unti-unti na akong kinakabahan habang tumatagal yung oras.

"I'll fetch Aileen. She's not answering her phone kanina pa" I could see the worry in her eyes which mirroring mine.

Mabilis akong tumayo mula sa sofa at hinablot yung sweater ko sa gilid, "Tita, sama ako"

"Are you sure? Masyadong malakas ang ulan. Baka kapag may nangyari--"

"Tita, wala pong mangyayari. Hindi rin ako mapapakali hangga't hindi ko nakikita si mama" pagputol ko sa sasabihin nito.

Sa pagmamadali ay hindi na namin nagawang magpaalam kay Everlee na kasalukuyang nasa kwarto niya. As we're about to get in inside the SUV, we both heard a honk coming from a car outside the gate. Nagkatinginan kami ni tita bago siya na ang kumilos para buksan yung gate.

I waited for her to get back at hindi nagtagal ay nakita ko siyang pabalik kasama na si mama kaya napanatag na ako. Yet, I noticed that someone was following behind them but couldn't figure out who was it as an umbrella was covering them.

"Oh ma, bakit ngayon lang kayo?" tanong ko rito at kinuha lahat ng bitbit niya.

"Naku biglang naflatan yung sinasakyan namin kanina. Ang siste hindi maayos-ayos dahil sa lakas ng ulan" sagot nito habang pinupunasan yung katawan niya ng panyo niya.

"Eh paano po kayo nakauwi? Sino po naghatid sa inyo?" I inquired but I didn't receive any response from her. They just stood there in silence until a voice edged in.

"Me" a silhouette of a tall woman breezed in.

Gluing my eyes on her, my brows creased together.

"Teka anong ginagawa mo rito??" tanong ko rito pero hindi siya sumagot.

I returned my gaze on my mother puzzled, "Ma, ano 'to?? Bakit siya nandito?"

"Avi, kumalma ka muna. Si Thaleia ang naghatid sa'kin dito. Naabutan niya kami sa daan kaya nagboluntaryo na siyang ihatid ako" pagpapaliwanag nito kaya muli akong napatingin sa babaeng nasa harapan ko.

"Really? Baka naman pati si mama sinusundan mo?" bwelta ko rito. I don't think that this happened by chance only. I already seen her inside the university just three days ago then later that night she was on the same bar that we were in. Impossibleng nagkataon lang din na nandoon siya? Why would she come there kung matagal na niyang binitawan ang lahat? Even the ownership of the North Hillcrest sinuko na rin niya kaya bakit?

"Why would I do that? I maybe have lots of time to do that but why would I do such thing in the middle of a heavy rain? Hindi mo ba naiisip? Baka dinadala na talaga ako rito para makita ka?" she retorted cockily that left me dumbstruck. What the heck?

"Sino namang magdadala sa'yo rito? Masamang hangin?" pamimilosopo ko rito pero hinawakan na ako ni mama sa kamay.

"Avika, tumigil ka. Naging guro mo pa rin si Thaleia" saway nito kaya napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Kalamig-lamig ng pakiramdam ko kanina tapos ngayon nag-iinit na sa inis.

"It's fine, Mrs. Monterey--"

"Excuse me, miss. She's Mrs. Valencia now" I interjected, correcting her address to my mother.