Gotta Be You

Chapter 10

RUBY

"Why didn't you tell us?" hinampas ako ni Kaylee sa balikat.

"Ang sakit ha!"

"Ay joke may bruise ka ba dito? Sorry hehe" hinahaplos na niya yung balikat ko. Inirapan ko lang siya.

"Since when did he start physically abusing you, Ruby?" Irene asked with a worried face.

Kakagaling ko lang sa hospital para magpacheck up. The doctor found so many swollen bruises and marks all over my body. He suggested I should take a week break to rest to apply the treatment he prescribed.

Umiyak pa nga si Kiefer habang nag eexplain yung doctor. Marami pa siyang tinawag na mga abogado pagkatapos kausapin yung doctor ko. I can't say he's overreacting because I know how much he cares for me, kaya hinayaan ko na lang siya.

——

"My sister is galing pa in a small province because she taught common folks there about their rights and basic laws. I can't contact her phone right now to ask her where she's exactly at na but she might arrive here later or tomorrow."

Nandito kami ngayon ni Arsinoe sa isang private spa. I'm lying down outside with my shades on, while Arsinoe enjoys the hot tub.

"Why can't Kiefer just tell you the details on why he needs her so much anyways? It's not like you wouldn't know about it soon."

"I have no idea. I'll just let him handle the process for the case, I trust him."

"Is he planning to have my sister join your legal counsel?"

"I have no idea, Arci."

"Ano ba yan! Nag ooverthink na ako rito. Baka kasi di connected sa Gian case yung pakay ni ate."

"Sshh close na yung mouth kasi magsleep na ako." Pabiro kong sabi ko tapos pumikit.

The last thing I heard was Arsinoe's deep sigh before I completely drifted into a deep sleep.

——

"What do you mean you're with Ruby? She's literally with me right now sleeping."

Nagising ako sa malakas na boses ni Arsinoe. May kausap ata sa phone niya.

"No, ate. I am not drunk! I can even send you a picture right now that she's literally in front of me... oh gising na nga eh!" lingon ni Arsinoe sa akin.

Kumunot yung noo ko.

"Aba malay ko? Why are you asking me?" sagot niya sa phone niya.

Lumapit ako. "Anong problema?"

"Ate Althea arrived na and she's currently staying in our hotel now pero sabi niya kasama ka raw niya."

Mas kumunot yung noo ko.

"Ayan, talk to her nga." Sabi ni Arsinoe bago niya niloud speaker at inabot sakin yung phone niya.

"Ate Althea?"

"Oh my god? Is this really you Ruby?" 

"Yes, ate. I'm with Arsinoe right now. Is everything okay?"

"Oh my god sino tong nameet ko sa ship? She looks exactly like you! Same height and voice also!"

Napatingin ako kay Arsinoe.

"I'm with a stranger?? Katabi pa naman kami ng room!"

"Are you sure kamukha talaga niya Ruby? Baka ikaw yung drunk diyan?" tanong ni Arsinoe.

"Kamukha nga!"

"Maybe impersonator mo?" tumingin sa akin si Arsinoe. 

"Ate Althea, may picture ka ba sa kasama mo ngayon?" I asked.

"Wala, should I ask for one? Pretend that I'm gonna send it to Kiefer? She's in the next room lang."

"Alone?"

"No, she was with this girl who I thought was her private sg."

"Did she introduce herself that she's Ruby?" tanong ni Arsinoe.

"No... for a record she actually didn't. I immediately approached her and assumed she's Ruby kasi kamukhang kamukha talaga, I swear!"

"Okay, ate. Calm down. Take a picture tapos send it to us na lang. Call me again when you're done."

Arsinoe ended the call with her sister and turned to look at me.

"I might be doubting what my sister just saw but we all know she's not stupid."

"I know."

"Baka kamukha mo talaga? Or..."

"Or what?"

"Ruby, you're an orphan. We can consider the possibility that you might have a twin."

A twin? No effin way.