PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 42

Me too, was scared of Madam. I couldn't say sorry to her cause I knew it'd be useless. I ran to Carmi to hush her. Her wails might irritate Madam Goncalves even more.

I couldn't think of any excuse. I wasn't around when Carmi found the violin bow. Jair was the one with her and I couldn't sense his presence anywhere near.

"You're here, Eden? Who is this kid?" Madam's confused voice echoed across the living room.

Tumayo ako at itinago sa likod ang umiiyak pa rin na si Carmi. "Pasensya na, Madam. Hindi ko alam kung paano nakuha ni Carmi yang bow nyo. Sana hindi nasira o nagkagalos."

Napasinghap si Madam at marahang umupo sa malaki nilang sofa. "I thought she was a thief for a second."

Bakit naman nya iisiping magnanakaw si Carmi? Sa hitsura nito na nakasuot ng swimsuit at kung magnanakaw man si Carmi edi sana yung mas mamahalin ang kukunin nya kagaya nitong porcelain vase na nasa may gilid ng hagdan.

"Kung nasira ay papalitan ko nalang, Madam," medyo iritado kong sabi. Ayokong pinaghinalaan nyang magnanakaw ang pamangkin ko. Sobrang cute kaya ni Carmi para maging magnanakaw.

"What's wrong here?"

Biglang dumating si Jair. Masama ang mukha kong binalingan sya. Saan naman kaya ito galing at nalingat sa pagbabantay kay Carmi?

"Why is she crying?"

"It was a misunderstanding," Madam started. "You didn't tell me you were inviting Eden and her niece today. I thought that little girl broke in here."

"Akala ko ba sa Lunes ka na babalik dito, Mom? What's wrong with Galip?"

Madam made a heavy sigh. "I'm not welcome in the lake house."

"How about Hezron?"

"I don't like mountains and forests," she said. "Should I go to Lilia?"

"She's not in Manila," Jair answered. "You can stay here then." Jair looked down at Carmi and touched her head. "She's my mom. I'm sorry, Carmi if she made you scared."

Humihikbi pa rin si Carmi pero tumango sya kay Jair. Mukhang ayaw tignan ni Carmi si Madam at naiintindihan ko ito. Sinubukan syang kausapin ni Madam pero nagtago lang si Carmi sa likod ko.

Nasa kitchen pala si Jair nang nangyari ito at nagpaalam na hanapin ako sa second floor pero ibang room ang pinasukan at pinakaelaman ang gamit ni Madam. Mabuti at itong bow lang ang dala nya at hindi yung mismong violin.

Bumalik sa pool si Carmi at sinamahan ni Jair. Ako naman ay walang nagawa at sumunod kay Madam. She said that she wanted to talk to me. Jair looked disapproving but he didn't have a choice as well.

I followed her to the balcony. She left for a few minutes and went back with a tray of teacups and a kettle. When she put it on the table in front of me I saw some tea leaves and other tools for making a tea.

I couldn't remember if I had said it, but I personally didn't like tea. It was just too bland and I couldn't understand why some people liked it like Madam Goncalves. Maybe, the tea was just too expensive for my taste.

I could hear Carmi's laugh and scream from here, as well as the splashes of water. If I wanted to peek at them just below the balcony, I could watch them, but I couldn't move and I had to give my attention to Madam.

"I wasn't aware you're here, Eden. I'm sorry to interrupt your day," aniya atsaka nagsimulang ihanda ang tea nya.

"It's alright, Madam. This is your property so you don't have to apologize. You can show up whenever you want," I answered, laughing a bit like what she apologized for was a joke.