It's lunch break and we've decided to go out for our lunch. The two of them insisted on eating in our cafeteria just because they're lazy going out.
"How was your family dinner when you went to Paris?" I opened the topic.
Natapahinto si Mei but smiled at me afterwards. Tinignan ko ang kamay nitong kapansin-pansing nanginginig. Something happened. That's for sure.
"Uhh.. w-well, nothing much happend." she stated, avoiding looking at me. I smirked.
"Can you not lie? Ang sakit sa tainga, Zie." it was Gaia.
Mei just smiled but I'm not yet satisfied.
"Did you bring the phone I gave you?"
She looked at me and nodded. She get her bag and looked for it then gave it to me.
" Here."
Pagkakuha ko ay binuksan ko ito. In-on ko ang phone ay nagpunta sa files. Napansin kong hindi niya ito ginalaw dahil sa kaunting finger prints sa screen nito. Siguro ay kapag china-charge niya lang dahil napansin kong 93% ang bettery nito.
Tinignan ko ang records doon at naka-open pa rin. Tanging ang record lang na meron nito ay noong sinundo siya ng kaniyang Yaya after namin gumala.
"Didn't I tell you to record things?" I asked, looking at her. Her smile went flat, avoiding my gaze.
"I-I..." lost of words. She's lost of words.
"Did you bring it to your family dinner?" I asked again.
"Y-yeah. I hid it. under my dress." I smiled at her, looking proud.
" Anong oras yung dinner niyo? " it's Gaia who asked.
" Around 7 pm. Why?" she looks confused.
" 15 hours ang byahe from Philippines to Paris, if umalis ka ng 3 pm let's say, makakarating ka roon ng around 6 am. You had lots of hours bago mag-start yung dinner niyo..... Hmmm," nag-isip pa si Gaia tapos ang tumingin sa'kin.
" What? Figure it out? " I asked.
" Bandang one fourth ng record, start yon 5 minutes before their dinner. " sabi niya at sinundo ko. Tama nga siya.
" How was your grades, Eirin? You better get good grades. I have no stupid granddaughter." Said by woman, I think she's old. Her grandmother probably.
" M-my grades are high just like what you w-wanted, Abuela." it's Mei, in a low tone voice.
Nakataas ang kilay kong nakatingin sa kanya. Umiwas siya ng tingin at pinagpatuloy ko naman ang pakikinig.
The record was so silent. you can't here anything, just Mei's breathing.
" Mama, we're here. " It's from a guy. I looked at Mei and she understood me.
" It's my Uncle Roger. Dad's older brother. "
" Finally. I'm feeling suffocated with Anton's Family." dinig kong bulong ng matanda pero dahil tahimik ay rinig ito.
After lots of minutes mukang naririnig ko nang kumakain sila dahil naririnig ko ang mga Plato at kubyertos na nagsasalpukan.
A few minutes later, Mei's breathing became heavy. I think the phone was placed on the right side of her thigh.
" U-uncle, y-your hand p-please. " nanginginig ang boses nito.
Tumaas ang kilay ko at pati na rin kay Gaia. 15 minutes had past and I heard Mei excusing herself.
I heard a door, I think she's inside a comfort room. I heard her sobs... and then her cries. Patingin ko kay Mei ay naluluha na ang mga mata nito.
I paused it. I went to her and hugged her.
"What the fuck happened there? I want you to say it. Say what truly happened. Don't lie because I will kill you with my bare hands. " I gave her a killing look.
" Uncle Roger has been sexually harassing me. I told my parents and they confronted him but only to be scolded by my grandmother... Our family never truly accepted since my dad married my mom. My Abuela doesn't like mom... In order for me to be accepted, I should keep my high grades. I should keep on being on top. I should receive lots of achievements. It's suffocating that I have to live my life like a puppet.
Later, after I went back in the dinner table, my Abuela said that I'll be marrying someone. She looked at me with authority and determination. It's like she's telling me using her eyes that I shouldn't be like my dad who disobeyed her. I didn't had the chance to defend myself...." she stated. I can see na may tinatago pa siya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at binigyan ng nagtatanong na tingin. I need full details.
"Well?..." It's Gaia, hindi na rin siguro nakapagtimpi.
"I-i.... When I want to the bathroom u-uncle Roger went inside and he..." she didn't finish her words but I think I know what happened. She broke into tears.
"F-fuck. / Shit!" It's Gaia and I.
"Pack up. We'll go to Paris." I told them. Gaia fixed her stuffs while Mei is still looking like a stone, processing what I have said.
"N-no! Don't. You don't have to. Please." She's on a verge of crying again. Unfortunately, I don't like it when someone's not getting the justice she deserves.
"My plane or your plain?" it's Gaia.
"Mine. Let's go to my house, then yours and then Mei's."
"Alright."
"I need my plane, Mom." I said as soon as I enter my parents office.
"What for? This is so sudden."
"Paris. Something happened to my friend." and then I looked into her eyes.
"It's all good. Take care."
I didn't respond and just leave her office.
Fuck that Abuela of her. I'm gonna rip off her neck.
YOU ARE READING
Barcodes ( Attempt Series 1)
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