Lips That Lie

CHAPTER 26

Calla immediately transferred the money to her mother's account. She wants none of it but, as expected, Rose Sandoval was overjoyed to receive such a huge sum of money. Aside from that, the way Antonio just simply gives in to her requests with no doubts or questions truly convinced her mother that the plan is working and is a success.

She didn't know how her mother could show no remorse with what they're doing. Gamit niya ang mukha at katauhan ng pumanaw na kakambal para manloko at makakuha ng pera sa ibang tao. This is slowly killing her inside but her mother seemed to be unbothered by it.

"This will be good for now, Celine. I'll leave you alone for a while but don't do anything stupid!" anang kanyang ina sa kabilang linya na bakas pa rin sa tono ang labis na tuwa.

"S-Sandali po," pigil niya sa akmang pagtatapos nito ng kanilang tawag. "Maaari ko po bang ma-kontak ulit sila ate Brenda? Baka makausap ko na po si nanay."

"They're fine, Celine. I will also send them money so you don't have anything to worry about."

"P-Pero nami-miss ko na po si nanay. Hindi ko po ba talaga siya pupuwedeng kausapin? Kahit po sandali lang? Marinig ko lang po–"

"I don't have time today. Marami akong kailangan gawin," anito.

"Kung ganoon po hihingiin ko nalang ang number–"

"Enough, Celine!" mas malinaw na sa tinig nito ang inis sa kanya. "Puwede bang huwag mo munang isipin ang nanay Dominga mo? Just focus on Antonio! You now have him in your hands! You can't afford to be distracted!"

"Pero po–"

Pinutol siya nito ng isang marahas na singhap. "Alright! I'll let you talk to Dominga but wait 'til I come back!"

"Hindi niyo po ba talaga puwedeng ibigay nalang sa akin ang contact–"

"I said wait 'til I come back, Celine! Bakit ba ang hirap mong umintindi?" her mother spat. "Huwag mo na akong kulitin. At mas lalong huwag na huwag mong ipapahamak ang plano natin dahil sisiguruhin kong kailanman ay hindi mo na makikita pa si Dominga!"

Wala na siyang nagawa nang tapusin na ng kanyang ina ang tawag. She didn't know why she couldn't grant her simple request. Hindi niya maintindihan kung paano niya mapapahamak ang plano sa simpleng pangangamusta lang sa kanyang nanay Dominga.

Why is her mother doing this to her? She's doing her part of the bargain even if it pains her to fool the first and, probably, the only man she will ever love. Why is it that her mother despises her so much? Ginagawa naman niya ang lahat ng sabihin nito. Gaano man iyon kalabag sa loob niya.

She sighed in defeat before curling up like a ball in the dark corner of the walk-in closet.

Wala naman siyang ibang magawa kung hindi hintayin ang pagbabalik ng kanyang ina. She didn't even know where she's going or what she's doing. Wala siyang anomang kaalaman sa buhay nito bukod sa mga bagay na sinasabi sa kanya ng ibang tao patungkol dito. Magkakausap lamang sila sa tuwing hihingi ito ng karagdagang pera o kaya ay mababalitaan si Antonio na kasama ang mag-amang Alfonso at Karissa.

What if...she visits Del Rio? Kahit sandali lang upang makita niya ang kanyang nanay at makamusta ng personal ang kalagayan nito?

But how will she do that? Hindi siya papayagan ni Antonio na umalis at basta mawala ng ganoon lang. And what if someone would tell her mother about it? Ang ate Brenda niya? They're in contact and it wasn't a secret that her sister hates her too. She wouldn't think twice about snitching on her.

She should think about this carefully. She didn't want to get in trouble with Rose Sandoval. Hindi niya matukoy kung bakit ngunit...nakakaramdam siya ng kung anong takot sa kanyang tunay na ina.