Eyes, Nose, Lips

Prologue

One was adopted and one was not.

Posible bang magkamukha ang dalawang tao pero hindi magkadugo? Rather, they're not biologically related but share similar physical features. Have similarities without any genetic relationship between them.

I still vividly remember, iisang mukha pero dalawang tao. Talk of the town ang pamilyang Licarno, may iisa silang anak na babae. Eyaniah Nocie Licarno ang kanyang pangalan. Sa murang edad ay marami na itong naging achievements. She was the real definition of success and wealth.

The Licarno family was praised everywhere because of their daughter. But behind their daughters' name was a big lie. No one knows that secret not until I saw it on my own eyes. At first I thought it was okay but I discovered she isn't who she say she is, and not who she seem to be. . . she's a murderer.

"C-Cypher!"

My heart was about to explode, it's really annoying when someone calls me by my real name, specially when it's Shyra. I swear I almost dropped my stuffs. It sounds crazy disgusting. It's not that I'm not used to it, I just find it annoying for real.

I sensed Shyra looking at me menacingly but I just ignored her.

"Stop it will you?" I cut in, rolling my eyes as I left a dagger glare on her.

"Uy, galit ka na naman? Don't be such a creep, palagi na lang ganyan ang ekspresyon ng mukha mo." Seryosong sabi ni Shyra.

"If that's the case, then get used to it. I don't need someone's freaking advice, this is my normal expression. See? It's emotionless." I said pointing at my face. I cleared my throat.

"Manhid ka talaga, e ano? Come on! We're already police officers now-"

"Don't mind me, Shyra. Focus on your case." I cut her but she just laughed.

"Don't tell me. . ."

I was stunned when she tilt her head on me, examined me like I was committing a crime and smirked all of the sudden.

"Please shut up, Shyra." I sighed exasperatedly. Pinasok ko ang parehong kamay sa loob ng bulsa ko saka tumingala sa langit.

"It's been ten years since that case happened. We're not supposed to be involved with their family but. . . it turned out they all died. Nakakalungkot isipin, a daughter who murdered her own parents."

"Shyra?"

Tumingin siya sa akin, nakangiti habang hawak-hawak ang cap niya. "I know you remembered a lot about her."

Napatigil ako. Napakurap.

"Oh."

Who. . .

"Eyaniah Nocie Licarno." Mahinang sambit ni Shyra.

"I don't know, I just don't know if that's her real name, Shyra. The truth? It must be insane. . ." Napatingin ako sa kanya.

That made me in silence. I pulled in breaths as I watched the sun sets. Ilang minuto na lang ay lulubog na ang araw.

Speaking of truth? It was twisted, no one really knows the whole and absolute truth. But truth is what aligns with what really exists or happens but it somehow became elusive.

"Umuwi na lang kaya tayo?" Shyra suggested.

I just nodded and noticed the time was already six in the evening. The latter, we separated ways in order for us to go home.

"See you tomorrow," I said and waved my hand to her. I watched Shyra walking as her vision slowly disappeared.

It was already seven when I got home. Buying grocery stuffs is sure chaotic and for the least, I bought all the things and foods I needed to survive in a week.

After dinner, napahiga ako sa kama at napatingin sa puting kisame sa kwarto ko. I heaved a deep sigh as my mind went to a little trip that happened years ago.

I was young and naive back then when I first met her- Eyaniah Nocie Licarno. Bago pa lang ako sa lugar na iyon kaya hindi ko kilala ang mga tao na naroroon at pasikot-sikot sa lugar na iyon. All I knew was when I first saw her, she was so different. That green jaded eyes, iyon talaga ang una kong napansin sa kanya. Ang matangos niyang ilong at ang kabigha-bighaning niyang labi.

Days went by, unti-unti ko nang nakakabisado ang lugar na nilipatan namin. That's when I got to know that Licarno family had only one daughter- Eyaniah Nocie Licarno.

Not until I saw her peeking outside at their window. Parang may hinihintay. . .

How odd? She's not wearing her green jaded eyes. Akala ko may kakambal siya o baka guni-guni ko lang.

Or maybe not?

"Eyaniah!" I shouted.

Hinahabol ko ang hininga ko.

Nagising na lang ako nang maramdaman ko ang tapik ni Shyra sa akin sa balikat.

My eyes widened, for a few seconds I can hear my hard breathing. Probably I was having a trouble in sleeping or perhaps it was a nightmare.

"Hindi mo pa rin talaga siya makalimutan, 'no?"

"For Pete's sake, Shyra! I can't even remember what really happened at that night of incident, and yet you're telling me I can't forget that girl? Please don't make me lose my temper. Isang banggit pa sa pangalan niya, baka mababaliw na ako sa kakaisip nito."

Pinilit kong huminahon pero unti-unting nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. I can feel my sweat so I wiped it using the back of my palm.

This. . . this is insane. I don't know anymore.

You're making me insane. . . Eyaniah Nocie Licarno.