Mirror Mirror

Chapter 26: Home

"Bading po ako. Confirmed."

Dra. Lam smiled warmly at Ava, though her tone turned more serious. "Ava, apo, obvious naman. Matagal na. Pero ngayon, let's focus. May mas importanteng pag-uusapan tayo." 

But Ava wasn't listening anymore. Her gaze was fixed on Lexy, her eyes dreamy, lips slightly parted as though caught in a trance. 

Lexy noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" she asked, breaking Ava's daze. 

Ava blinked rapidly, realizing she had been caught staring. Without thinking, she blurted out, "Ha? Yes agad? Di pa nga kita nililigawan." 

Martina groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Ava, ano ba!" 

Alex couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head as she watched the interaction unfold. "Manang-mana Ava ah. Ang rupok," she said teasingly, smirking at Martina. "Tsaka parang iisa lang mga type niyo." 

Lexy's cheeks flushed slightly at Alex's comment, but she quickly masked it with a playful smirk.

Martina shot Alex a glare, her face red. "Ikaw, tumigil ka nga!" she hissed, clearly flustered. 

Ava, now embarrassed but unable to stop herself, mumbled under her breath, "Eh, paano naman kasi..." 

"Focus, people!" Dra. Lam interrupted, clapping her hands lightly. "We're not here for love confessions." 

The group fell silent again, though a faint ripple of laughter lingered around the table. Ava, still sneaking glances at Lexy, tried her best to focus, but her heart was already racing. 

Martina shot Ava one last warning look before turning back to Dra. Lam and Teacher Jane. "Okay, ano na nga 'to? Bakit tayo nandito?" 

Dra. Lam took a deep breath, her expression heavy. "Let's start from the beginning. This is about Alex and Lexy—and what you all need to know." 

The air grew tense, the light-hearted mood vanishing in an instant. Everyone leaned in, waiting for the revelation.

Jasmine paced back and forth in her living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. Her frustration was palpable as she muttered under her breath. "Bakit ayaw sumagot ni Lexy? Nasaan na siya?" She dialed Dra. Ella Salvador's number for the third time.

Dra. Ella finally answered, her voice calm but tinged with concern. "Jasmine, anong problema?"

"Ate Ella, Lexy might be heading to the Lam's," Jasmine hissed, her voice low but sharp. "If she tells them the truth, we're done! Do something!"

Dra. Ella sighed heavily from the backseat of her van. "Calm down, Jas. Let's not assume the worst. We don't even know for sure if Lexy's there. And even if she is, maybe we can still control the situation."

"Control?" Jasmine snapped. "This is slipping out of our hands! If they find out what we did—"

Before Jasmine could finish her sentence, Dra. Ella's driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror and spoke up cautiously. "Doktora, pinapakumusta po pala kayo nila Tito Hero at Tito Leo."

Dra. Ella arched an eyebrow, her grip on her phone tightening. "Let me guess," she said dryly. "Alam na nila ang nangyayari?"

The driver nodded solemnly. "May tiwala raw po sila sa inyo. Sinabi rin po nilang hindi makauwing Pilipinas si Tita Dianne kasi inaalagaan niya ang una niyang apo."