Illicit Love

Kabanata 24

A heavy silence greeted me as I entered the house. Given that it was already late afternoon, the absence of life felt unsettling. I dropped my handbag onto the sofa before venturing deeper into the quiet halls. I peered into the kitchen, hoping to find someone, but even there, the room was cold and empty. However, the moment I stepped back out, the silence was shattered. Lia's piercing scream echoed through the house as she caught sight of me while rushing down the stairs.

"Ate Zari! Ate Zari, is that you? Oh my god, ikaw nga!"

Marahang akong tumawa habang hinihintay ang pagbaba niya ng hagdan. "Lia, stop running you might trip!"

"You're here! Kakauwi mo lang? Bakit hindi ka nagsabi, Ate Zari! Hindi ka tuloy namin nasundo sa airport!"

"Ano pang sense ng salitang surprise kung sasabihin ko rin naman, right? Hindi mo ba ako yayakapin? Tsk," nakangusong sabi ko habang tumatawa.

She didn't say a word. Instead, she pulled me into a sudden, desperate embrace. As we held each other, the only sound was the rhythm of her muffled sobs against my shoulder. I began to slowly stroke her back, offering a silent comfort until I felt the tension finally leave her body. When I eventually pulled away, the silence between us spoke volumes. I knew she had missed me, and the feeling was entirely mutual—but simply saying 'I missed you' felt hollow and inadequate compared to the overwhelming ache I felt to be with them again.

"Kumain ka na ba, Ate Zari? Wala si Nanay at Treah, nasa restaurant pa sila, e. Si Kuya Max naman bumalik na sa Manila for his work kaya ako lang naiwan dito sa bahay."

She held my hand firmly as she led me into the kitchen. It was only then that I truly noticed the profound transformation of the house. Although it was the same home I grew up in, so much had changed. What used to be a modest, single-story dwelling now boasted a modern second-floor extension. My mother had been adamant about not building a new house from scratch. This house held too much sentimental value. It was a sanctuary of memories of our late father, so instead of tearing it down, we chose to breathe new life into it through renovation.

A faint smile touched my lips as we passed a large, framed photograph hanging prominently on the wall near the stairs. It was our very last family portrait—a frozen moment from when my father was still with us. He looked so vibrant, his smile full of life as he pulled my mother into a warm embrace. Looking at him, I realized once more how much of him I carry in my own face. I smiled back at his image as if his joy were meant specifically for me. To keep the tears from falling, I quickly turned away and found Lia watching me in silence.

"Miss na miss ka na namin, Ate Zari. Ang tagal mong umuwi. Akala namin hanggang next year ka na doon."

Nanatili akong tahimik. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya dahil abala ako sa paghahanda para magluto ng dinner namin. Hindi pa ako nakakapagpalit at suot pa rin ngayon ang blouse na asul na tinupi ko hanggang siko at tinuck in saking puting pantalong sinuotan ko ng belt. Hindi na ako nagpalit, baka mamaya hindi na ako makapagluto at makarating na sila.

Halos isang oras rin tumagal ang pagluluto namin ni Lia. Tinulungan niya akong magluto habang masaya kaming nagkwe-kwentuhan.

"Oo nga, Ate Zari! May girlfriend na si Kuya Max, hindi ka kasi active sa social media, e. Daig mo pa senior, ayan tuloy hindi ka updated," natatawang sabi niya habang kumakain ng mansanas.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Really? Sino namang baliw ang pumatol sa kanya?" nakangising sagot ko habang hinalo ang niluluto.

"Ikaw talaga, Ate Zari! Makilala mo lang talaga 'yong girlfriend ni Kuya Max, sobrang bait niya. She's so pretty rin."

"Talaga? Sinong mas maganda, ako o siya?" natatawang tanong ko.

"Hmm..." Kunwari pa siyang nag-isip. "Ako," sabay sabi niya kaya nagtawanan na lang kaming dalawa.