Veiled Echoes

Prologue

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Vali International Airport in Manila. The local time is 3:45 PM, and the temperature is a comfortable 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the captain turns off the seatbelt sign. On behalf of the crew, we thank you for flying with us and hope you have a pleasant stay here in Manila or wherever your travels may take you. Thank you and have a great day." I glanced outside the window. Bumungad sa'kin ang malawak na paliparan.

I'm still amazed by how he managed to build these all considering that he turned his back from his family—his family's money rather—for a woman.

I sighed when I realized that I'm finally home after staying in New Zealand for almost what? 7 years?

I lost count.

Masyado kong ginugol ang sarili ko sa trabaho at negosyo para lang makalimutan lahat. But no matter how hard I try, andito pa 'din. Masakit pa 'din and no one can ever heal the scars he caused.

Akala ko okay na. Akala ko lang pala because the moment I step my foot in this country, everything came rushing back to me.

The heartbreak, the tears that I cried every night as if it was my last, the thoughts of disappearing, and the grief that I felt when he left me.

Huminga ako nang malalim at hinila ang maleta ko. Nothing will happen if I let myself fall and break again. I'm not the same little girl who needs loving and attention. I didn't built myself for the past 7 years just for a memory to break me.

I've been there before, and I'll never go back again.

I can hear my heels clicking on the ground as every people inside the premises turn their heads to look at me. I brushed back my hair and walked even faster. Mahirap na kung makikilala pa nila ako. I promised someone that I'll be careful and I'll keep my identity hidden basta walang bodyguards na kasama.

But I think that promise broke the moment someone squeled.

"Oh my gosh! It's Alexandria Valiente!"

"Shit," bulong ko sa sarili at mas lalong binilisan ang lakad.

Kinabahan ako nang makita ang mga taong lalapit sana sa'kin but before they could make a step, a swarm of civillian formed a circle around me, sinasabayan ako sa paglakad ko.

I knew it. He really won't let me roam around this country without an ounce of security.

My phone started ringing and I immediately answered.

"I can actually recall the moment when you convinced me that no one will ever notice you. You even promised with your pinky finger." A smile spread across my face when I heard his baritone voice.

"Promises are meant to be broken."

"Really, mi esposa?"

"Si, mi esposo. Anyway, thank you for doing that. I was just so sure na walang makakakilala sa'kin since I'm wearing a disguise!"

"Disguise? By wearing a scarf and sunglasses? You must be joking," he scoffed. "I already booked a flight bound there, I figured that you might miss my company and me. I'll just close some deals and finish a lot of meetings. Wait for me, okay?"

Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "Oh come on, Santiago. We both know that you hate coming home because it's so init here."

"Nah, pakiramdam ko ay kailangan ko na asikasuhin ang airport dahil puro landi nalang ang kapatid ko. Besides, my wife just got there. It is my duty to follow her wherever she go," he chuckled a bit pero kalaunan ay tumigil. I heard his secretary's voice in the background. "I'll just call you back. I gotta go. See you soon, love."

Hindi na ako sumagot at pinatay ang tawag. Nang makalabas sa airport ay agad kong naramdaman ang init sa balat. How can this country be so cruel? Napaka init! No wonder why Tiago hated being here.

Agad ako dumeretso sa itim na limousine at pinagbuksan ako ng isa sa mga pinadala na bodyguard ni Santiago.

That guy! He's always full of surprises.

Natawa nalang ako nang mahina at ipinikit ang mga mata. Nagising nalang ako nang biglang tumigil ang sasakyan. Nasa labas na kami ng Villa namin and the guards are just checking my driver's identity.

Ayaw pa kami papasukin pero nang binanggit ang driver ang pangalan ko at lumingon sa'kin, agad silang tumayo nang tuwid at sumaludo.

No one was notified of my arrival anyway. I planned this to surprise my family since hindi nga ako umuuwi dito at hindi din sila makabisita sa'kin dahil sa business. Pati si Kuya ay hindi makadalaw because he's busy taking care of my nephews.

Tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng mansion namin. Agad akong pinagbuksan ng pinto ng limo at nang makababa ako ay iginala ko ang mata sa paligid.

Nothing changed. Maliban nalang sa mas dumaming mga bulaklak at puno na nakapaligid. There's also a newly built greenhouse not far from our home.

Ngumuso ako at nang pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ay agad akong naglakad papasok.

My eyes scanned the whole grand foyer that our mansion has. Agad kong nakita ang malaking picture frame ng aming pamilya na halos sinakop ang buong pader. It was my Mom's idea. She thought that if she'll make a picture frame of us that is tall as our high ceiling home, every person who would visit our home will be amazed.

Dederetso na sana ako sa living room pero may narinig akong tawanan at usapan. I think they have a visitor today.

I shrugged my shoulders and proceeded to wall towards our living room but I immediately stopped on my tracks when I saw someone very familiar. Even though it's his back facing me, alam kong siya 'yon.

I loved him for years. I remembered every part of him. Kabisado ko ang lahat na meron siya, but of course, things have changed. He may not be the same man I've known back then.

Napatigil lang ang pagtitig ko sa likod niya nang gulat na tumayo si Kuya at tinuro ako habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

"Gago! Multo!"

Because of what he did, lumingon sa'kin ang taong kinamumuhian ko. Napatayo din siya at iniwas ko na ang tingin ko bago pa magtama ang aming mga mata.

"Is that how you greet your sister who's been away for almost a decade?" I raised a brow at my brother.

"May multo nga!" Hindi pa'din nagbabago ang pwesto niya at nakaturo pa'din sa'kin. Nang sumama ang tingin ko ay ibinaba niya ang kamay niya at tumawa. "Akala ko patay na kapatid ko sa sobrang hindi pagpaparamdam sa'kin eh."

Lumapit ito sa'kin at ikinulong ako sa bisig niya. "I missed you, Kuya."

"I missed you more," bulong nito sa'kin habang mahigpit na nakayakap. He was about to say something but his guest spoke.

"Welcome home, Eloise." I stared at his face and I saw how hid jaw clenched when my eyes didn't took off. I couldn't tell what's running inside that pretty mind of his. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang mga emosyon na nakaukit sa kanyang mukha.

It's still the same. His voice still sends shivers down my spine.

Babalewalain ko sana ito pero nakita ko ang batang nakaupo sa sofa. Tahimik ito habang may nakasubo na lollipop sa bibig niya and he's staring at me with an innocent eyes, probably wondering who I am.

Agad na nanikip ang dibdib ko. Tumalikod ako at nagsimula mag martsa papunta sa kwarto ko.

Maybe coming home is really a bad idea. I was too complacent that I wouldn't let myself break if ever I see him. Pero grabe nga naman talaga humahupit ang tadhana. I saw him an hour after I set my foot in this country, and everything still hurts the same.

You still hurts like hell, Kainus.