Behind the Facade

I. The Nightmare's Reminiscence

Unbeknownst to my awareness within the warmth of embrace from my loved ones, a nightmare that will hunt me is already set afoot.

Under the dimly lit lights, I was pressed in between my mom and dad, while the lights from the wide television kept us entertained. Masaya ang pamilya naming nanonood ng isang palabas, hanggang sa may sumira sa momentum namin nang tumunog ang doorbell. We simultaneously turned our heads to the door. My mom stood up with her auburn long wavy hair twisting.

"I'll check on it." Her white teeth showed as her serene obsidian eyes and lips curved at me and dad.

A few minutes after, my mom came back with a delighted look as a dazzling wide smile was displayed on her face. Somehow, parang alam ko na ang ibabalita ni mama sa amin.

"Hon, the family of Lavez is inviting us over their house for dinner." Tugon ni Mama, kasabay ng pagka-upo niya sa tabi nakin. Napangiti ako nang malawak kasabay ng kasiyahang naramdaman.

As expected! Ninang told me already firsthand. We don't have to decide—we must go!

"Pupunta pa ba tayo?" bakas ng pag-aalangan ang maririnig sa malalim na boses ni Dad, dahilan ng pagkawala ng ngiti sa labi ko na siyang napansin ni Mommy.

"Of course! They are our beloved's godparents after all." Mommy frowned, making me twitch.

"Mommy, Daddy, are you two... fighting?" pumagitna ako nang mapansin ang pagka-iba sa tono ng boses ng aking ina. But Mom gave me the same smile again and assured me.

"No, baby. Just go upstairs and change your clothes. We're going to Ninang and Ninong's house!" my dad flinched, while Mom told me the good news in jovial manner. And so am I, happy with it! Napatalon ako sa sobrang tuwa.

"Really?!" napatanong ako ulit sa sobrang excited habang ramdam ko ang pagkislap ng aking mga mata.

"Yes, baby!" sagot ni Mama, while trying to cover the frown on her face. Hindi na ako nag-aalangan pa at dali-daling inakyat ang kuwarto kong nasa itaas na palapag. But I was halted in front of my room's door when I heard a scream downstairs.

"What do you think you're doing, Jeinnleigh Rose?! Pasado alas dyes na ng gabi! Haven't you heard about what's going on in this subdivision?" My dad's voice raised and called out my mom's full name. It's an indication of his frustration.

From what I heard from some neighbors the other day, nakaka-ilang gabi na raw ang pangyayari ng krimen dito sa aming lugar. But I'm still a young lad with no understanding about the crime itself at all.

"You're overthinking..." napahaplos si Mama sa kaniyang noo, while Dad let out a surrendering sigh.

"Yeah... I'm just worried of you and our baby..." Dad's voice softened and slowly approached my mom. He then embraced her with his large arms.

"Our baby is happy that we're going there... let's go for her sake, okay?" Mom returned the embrace and replied softly.

"Yes, I'm so sorry, Honey." Napabuntong-hininga ang aking ama habang yakap-yakap ang aking ina.

Truth to be told, I couldn't comprehend the nature of their argument at all. I was clouded by the thought of going to my godparents' house just to meet my crush again! That was what mattered to me.

Nakarating kami sa bahay ng aking ninang matapos ang ilang minutong paghahanda at pag-t-travel namin patungo sa kanila. Pagkapasok namin sa bahay—hindi, isa itong mansion na pag-aari ng Lavez! Bumungad agad sa amin ang masayang pagbati nila Ninang at Ninong. Habang ang nag-iisa naman nilang anak na siyang nagmamay-ari ng paghanga ko ay tahimik lang na nakatabi sa kanila. It was as though this kid appeared to be forced to stand beside them.