Behind Every Pages

Chapter Thirty-two:

Lestari

Naiilang man kami sa isa't isa ay hinahayaan namin ni Luther bumawi si Mommy sa amin. She agreed to temporarily stay in the mansion again because she really wanted to be with us. However, she mentioned that we shouldn't be here in this mansion where it only holds painful memories.

She's right. But Luther and I need to think if we should join her. After all, she's our only parent, so it's only right that we live with her, right?

I'm getting ready to go back to school. I'm a bit excited because Mommy insisted on driving me and Luther. I still really want to be with her.

When I descended the stairs, everyone was already at breakfast. I felt a pang of awkwardness around Kuya Alistair-or should I say Tito Alistair-because of the things I had said to him. But he had told me to forget about it and had forgiven me.

I took a seat and served myself some food. I couldn't help but smile, watching how tenderly Kuya Alistair cared for his pregnant wife. Why had I ever thought he was cheating on Ate Florence?

I shook my head and glanced at Luther, who was trying to converse with Mommy. Luther had changed remarkably; he had become more open and kind since his falling out with Daddy. It was heartening to see him trying to get along with Mommy despite the initial awkwardness.

Mommy smiled at me, and I returned her smile. Inside, I felt a tremendous sense of relief. She no longer dressed as she did before; her gentle face had returned.

Pero hindi pa rin nag sisink-in sa akin na nanay ko si Continues Salvation! Kaya pala naiiyak ako sa mga nababasa ko sa libro niya, sobrang gaan kasi ng mga salita, ganon na ganon ang pakiramdam kapag siya ang kausap ko. Nakapag kwentuhan na kami tungkol doon at sinabi niya pa ngang hango sa pangalan naming dalawa ang pen name niya. Hindi ko man lang napansin iyon.

Matapos kumain ay nagtabi kami ni Luther sa back seat at si Mommy at Tito Alistair naman sa harapan. Hindi kasi hinahayaan ni Tito Alistair si Mommy umalis ng mag-isa dahil hindi raw safe ang buhay ni Mommy. Naniniwala kasi silang hindi pa tuluyang tumitigil ang mga taga-sunod ni Daddy. Pakiramdam nga nila ay may masamang plano ito kahit pa nakakulong si Daddy. Natakot tuloy ako para sa amin, ganoon ba talaga siya kasama? Hindi pa ba siya titigil?

When we arrived at school, I got out and said goodbye. Mommy and I were still a bit shy about hugging, but we did it anyway because we both wanted to. I waved them off as they drove Luther to his school.

I was startled when Ezra's car pulled up beside me, and he rolled down the window. "Good morning, pretty," he said, and I immediately blushed. I hurried my steps, feeling flustered. Why did I do that? I was thrilled. I heard him laugh before he parked his car.

"D-do we really need to hold hands?" It's not that I don't want to, it's just embarrassing.

"There's nothing wrong with it, right?" he asked with a faint smile on his lips. I just nodded because who am I to refuse or let go of Ezonme's hand!

"Should I start collecting your autograph so that I have it before you become internationally famous? I could sell it," I joked.

"Hindi naman ako magiging idol, bakit mo ibebenta ang pirma ko?" natawa kami pareho sa sinabi niya. Tama nga naman. Pero sigurado naman akong sisikat siya ng sobra, sobrang galing kaya niyang author. Malayo ang mararating niya sa ibang bansa.

I smiled bitterly as I looked at our intertwined hands. I'm determined to support him even if he's far away. I shouldn't be a hindrance to his dreams, right?

Nang mag linggo ay nagsimba kaming lahat para raw ipagpasalamat ang muling pagkakaayos ng pamilya namin, kasama pa nga si Ezra eh. I knew Ezra was very religious. When I stayed at his house temporarily, I often cried at night from the weight of my problems, but he always prayed with me. That's when I fell deeper in love with him.

When we got home, there was food prepared for us by our new helpers. It was simple, but our dining table was lively with various conversations. Ezra didn't feel out of place because he was so good at getting along with everyone.

"Yes, Tita," he responded to Mommy, who was discussing books with him. I couldn't help but smile, seeing two authors in front of me. Wala bang pa libreng libro diyan?

Nang matapos kumain ay hinayaan ko muna ang dalawa na mag-usap. Tumulong lang ako kay Ate Florence na magligpit sa hapag dahil ayaw niya talagang ipaubaya lang ang gawain sa mga katulong namin, ganoon na raw talaga kapag nasanay kana sa trabaho mo.

Naikwento niya na katulong na raw talaga siya namin dati pero nagkaibigan sila ni Tito Alistair na butler ko na noon pa man. Wala rin daw siyang ideya na kapatid ng asawa niya ang Mommy ko kaya pareho kaming nagulat sa nangyari noon.

After helping out, I followed Luther to the living room, where he was engrossed in the book he was reading. I think I've influenced him too much.

"Huy, ano 'yan?" itatago niya pa sana ang libro pero nakita ko naman na. "Libro iyan ni Mommy? Maganda iyan," pag-uudyok ko pa.

"I know, why are you here? Nasa labas si Mommy at ang boyfriend mo," agad akong napangiti, boyfriend, mommy. Hehe bonding. "Bakit ganiyan ka makangiti? Ang creepy mo, doon ka nga." itutulak niya pa sana ako pero hindi ako nagpatinag.

"Teka nga, may kasalanan ka pa sa akin. Noong pasko bakit para kang broken? May hindi ka ba sinasabi sa akin?" tumaas ang kilay ko sa kaniya.

"W-what? What are you talking about?" He avoided my gaze and moved a bit to turn away from me.

"W-what? Tamo, nauutal ka pa," I grinned and mimicked him. "Broken ka ba? Sinong nanakit sa'yo? May girlfriend ka na 'no?" tinusok ko ang tagiliran niya na agad niyang kinainis.

"Ano ba, Ate! W-wala akong girlfriend," iritang suway niya sa akin at tinutulak pa ako.

"We dinga? Eh bakit broken ka? Baka wala nang girlfriend?" pagtatama ko sa sinabi ko kanina. Break na agad sila?

"Hindi rin, dahil never ko namang naging girlfriend," I was surprised by what he said. There was still resentment in his eyes when he mentioned that, it seems like he hasn't moved on yet.

"Huh? Eh bakit hindi mo niligawan?"

"Bakit ko liligawan?" nairita siya sa sinabi ko to the point na hinarap pa niya ako at binaba ang libro niya. "Hindi niya nga ako gusto, may iba siyang gusto," tumulo ang isang luha niya sa mata niya. Agad akong natigilan nang makita ang sakit sa mga mata niya.

Kaya ba ang negative niya noon sa sine sa mga second male lead?

"Sorry, Ate. Aakyat na muna ako," I couldn't say anything and just nodded. I watched him go up to his room with sadness in his eyes.

My poor borther.

I stayed quiet in the living room for a while, feeling the sadness of my brother, until I decided to follow Mommy and Ezra to the garden. She asked him to accompany her there to help arrange the roses to be placed in vases inside the house.

Pero hindi ko inaasahan ang maririnig ko nang dumating ako doon.