𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 [TSS #3]

Chapter 32: Text

Niks' POV

"It's really difficult for us.. First, our business, and now our eldest daughter.." Mrs. Cuesta said while she's crying on the interview.

"Kung may nakakita man po sa anak namin. Please, inform us, or the authority." Sabi naman ni Mr. Cuesta.

Naputol ang panonood ko nang patayin ng tatay ko ang TV.

"I don't buy that." He said nonchalantly.

"Why? Do you know what really happened?" Kalmadong tanong ko.

Soul is Missing...

This news has been circling around for almost one week now. No one really know what happened. Hindi rin namin alam kung nagsasabi ba ng totoo ang mag-asawang Cuesta. Gano'n pa man.. I can't deny the fact that I'm worried.

"No." He firmly said. "But this is their last resort. Desperate move na 'to. Gaining some sympathy para maraming maawa sa kanila dahil pabagsak na ang pamilya nila." He talked like he's so sure of it.

"Paano kung totoong nawawala si Soul?" Hindi ko maitago ang pag-aalala sa boses ko. "Masisira lahat ng plano.." bulong ko.

Naglakad siya palapit sa'kin and tapped my shoulders.

"I'll take care of that. Aalamin natin kung nawawala ba talaga s'ya." He said. "I need to go. Iwan muna kita rito." Paalam n'ya bago tuluyang umalis.

Napaisip ako. I suddenly remember my last encounter with Soul. She said something...

I planned it.. I planned everything. Gusto kong tumakas. Go abroad.. away from my family.

Her voice echoes in my head.

Paano kung ginawa n'ya talaga? Na umalis na s'ya.. and her parents thought that she's missing. Na gusto n'ya lang sabihin sa'kin lahat bago s'ya tuluyang umalis.

Fuck. Hindi s'ya pwedeng umalis. Masisira lahat ng pinaghirapan namin ng tatay ko kung aalis lang din s'ya.

"You look upset." Nag-angat ako ng tingin and I saw Shiloah holding a glass of wine.

Wine..

"Is it about your ex-girlfriend going missing?" Dagdag n'ya. Inabot n'ya sa'kin ang baso ng wine na tinanggap ko naman.

Ex-girlfriend.. That's what I said on the party. Sinabi ko 'yan mismo sa harapan n'ya pero bakit kapag sa iba nanggaling.. parang 'di ko matanggap? Ex-girlfriend ko na s'ya because she's married. Hindi ko kayang ma-label as kabit.

"Anong balita sa ginagawa ni Yesel?" Tanong ko saka sumimsim sa wine.

Naupo s'ya sa isang single sofa. Crossed her legs and rested her back while holding the glass of wine.

"The Andrews declined the offer." She said. I clenched my jaw.

"Sa tingin mo, may pinaplano sila? I mean palubog na sila pero ayaw paring isuko yung kumpanya." Tanong ko sa nagdududang tono.

Paano kung ang Andrews ang may pakana ng pagkawala ni Soul? Tangina. Ang dami kong tanong ngayon. Nagsisimula nanamang mga katanungan sa isip ko na walang sagot.

"They surely have a plan." She agrees while nodding her head.

There's only two option. They have Soul or Soul left. At hindi pwedeng hayaan kong ganon na lang. I should do something. Hindi ko yata kaya na nakatunganga lang ako rito habang ganito na yung sitwasyon.

"Where are you going, Zyra?" Mariing tanong ni Shiloah nang bigla akong tumayo.

"D'yan lang," kaswal na sagot ko.