Played (Montellano series #1)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Tahimik ang mga pinsan ko. Wala ni isa sa kanila ang nagreact man lang. Mga nakatingin lang kina Lola.

Nagtiim-bagang ako habang pinagmamasdan ako ng mama ni Rake. She gave me a small smile while staring at me.

"We've met just earlier, Lola." pagbasag ni Jett sa pananahimik namin.

"Oh, really? Saan?" si Lola.

Binalingan siya ng mama ni Rake. "Sa Primark, Tita. Kasama nila ang anak ko."

Sumulyap si Lola sa kanya at bumuntong-hininga. She smiled a bit.

"Nakilala ko kaagad dahil sa buhok at kutis, Tita." Mrs. Tagle chuckled a bit.

I feel so awkward. I understand that she's here because she and Lola seemed close with each other. I just feel awkward because of what I've witnessed earlier.

Kaizen cleared his throat. "If you may excuse us, we're sorry for interrupting your conversation. Aakyat na po kami."

Nagsimula nang maglakad ang mga pinsan ko patungo sa hagdan. Tipid kong nginitian si Mrs. Tagle bago humakbang para sumunod sa kanila.

"Hija, Michelle." Tawag ni Lola kaya nilingon ko siya. "Can you stay for a bit?"

Sinulyapan niya si Mrs. Tagle. Litong lumingon sina Ate, Kim, at Nica na mga kasabay ko. I glanced at them, confused, before I looked at Lola.

"Una na kami." ani Kim.

Pinanood sila ni Lola na makaakyat at makapasok sa kwarto bago ako binalingan. Sumulyap siya kay Mrs. Tagle.

"She's Rake's mother. Gusto ka raw makausap."

Nagtagal ang tingin ko kay Mrs. Tagle. Nakangiti siya sa akin pero kita ko sa mga mata niya ang pagod. I then realized Rake got his expressive eyes from her. It feels like Rake is looking at me.

"Maiwan ko muna kayo. Maghahanda lang ako ng makakakain." Paalam ni Lola.

"Salamat, Tita. Maraming salamat."

I watched Lola walk away. Ramdam ko pa rin ang paninitig ni Mrs. Tagle sa akin. I'm dumb if I say I don't have any clue why she wants to talk to me. I'm sure this is all about Rake.

There was a long stretch of silence as soon as Lola left. Rake's mother was just staring at me, while I'm still looking at where Lola had gone.

I don't know what to react but I don't want to be here. I feel like I shouldn't be here with her and I shouldn't be having this talk with her.

"Hija, you are so beautiful." Mrs. Tagle spoke.

Slowly, I looked at her. She's beautiful, to be honest. She has hooded eyes. They're expressive.

She has golden bronze straight hair that falls until her middle back. Her hair matches up her skin tone, which I'm sure Rake got.

"Thank you." I said quietly and gave her a small smile.

Inangat niya ang kanyang kamay para hawakan ako sa magkabilang braso. Dahan-dahan niya akong iginiya sa sofa para makaupo. Umupo siya sa tabi ko at hinarap ako.

"Siguro nagtataka ka kung bakit gusto kitang makausap."

I looked at her. She's wrong, though. I know why she wants to talk to me.

Hindi ako nagsalita. While looking at her, I remember the night Rake cried at me. I remember his story. I remember his pain and the feeling of betrayal he felt when this woman in front of me left. I remember how much Rake has been hurt until now.