He's Mean

Chapter 4 - Traitor

I called Elie but she didn't response. Maybe she can't hear me for it's so loud here. I sigh upon realizing that. Nag-umpisa na akong maglakad papunta sa kinaroroonan niya. I was looking at what she's holding which I think bibilhin niya. She's holding a doll. Napakunot ang noo ko nang makita iyon. She doesn't want a doll. She have said that she's already grown up so she doesn't need it. But why would she buy it?

My heartbeat becomes faster and nervousness swallowed me when I turned to see her face. Damn. It wasn't her.

***

We are now in my car. Levi and Aubrey kept asking why Elie's not with us. Pero mas minabuti ko na lang na huwag sumagot at pinipilit maging kalmado para makapag-isip ako. I have searched the whole amusement park pero hindi ko naaninag kahit anino man lang niya. Damn. It's my fault. Now, I don't know how to explain it to dad. I know dad doesn't care about me. But he cares a lot about my sisters. Sigh. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. Ni hindi ko alam kung saan siya matatagpuan. It's my damn fault!

Habang nagda-drive ako ay palinga linga ako sa daan. Thinking maybe she's just lost. Nakarinig ako ng paghikbi mula sa likod. Napatingin ako sa rear view mirror and found Aubrey's crying. I felt sorry for her. Elie's been a bestfriend of her. Levi's also about to cry while comforting her. Sigh. Maybe now they realized what's happening.

"Ate, nasaan si Elie? Bakit di natin siya kasama? Ate, nawawala ba siya? Ate, balikan natin siya baka andun na ulit siya" Aubrey said between her sobs.

Sigh."I'm sorry Aubrey. But I have already searched the whole park but I haven't seen her."

Her sobs began louder. Binilisan ko ang takbo ng kotse para maiuwi ko na sila at mahanap ko na si Elie. Pagkauwi sa mansion ay pinahatid ko na si Aubrey sa mga maid at pinaandar ulit ang sasakyan. Inihatid ko muna si Levi sa bahay nila. At first, she insisted to come with me but I refused so wala na siyang magagawa.

Bago ko ulit pinaandar ang sasakyan para hanapin si Elie ay may naalala akong isang bagay. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko mula sa bulsa ko at binasa ulit ang huling mensaheng natanggap ko. Is it possible na... No. I need to bring her back. But damn! How could I bring her back if I doesn't even know where she is.

***

It's been two days since Elie is lost. Ilang beses akong pabalik-balik sa amusement park kung saan ko siya huling nakita. Sinubukan ko na ring pumunta sa bahay ng mga kaibigan at kaklase niya ngunit ni isa ay walang may alam kung nasaan siya. Nang malaman ni dad na nawawala si Elie, which I think si Aubrey ang nagsabi, I don't know but he's still calm. I know he's a calm man. But I don't think until this situation. But good thing, I can still see worries in his eyes. And mom have no idea what's happening here because she's here not in the Philippines.

Today is Tuesday. And I have a class. Malungkot si Aubrey kahapon nang pumasok siya sa school. Hinatid ko na rin siya dahil mukhang lutang ang isip niya. And I don't think she have concentrated in her class. Ngayon ay inihatid ko ulit siya.

"Ate, hindi ako sanay na wala si Elie." Malungkot na sambit niya nang makalabas na siya sa kotse ko.

"Me too." I said while closing the door.

Dumiretso na rin ako sa university at nakita kong hinihintay ako ni Levi sa isa sa mga bench.

"Hindi pa rin ba nakikita si Elie? You know I love that pretty little sister of yours." Sambit niya pagkasalubong sakin.

"Do I look like I have found her already?"

Tumahimik siya at hindi na nagsalita. Mula pa kahapon ay tahimik siya kapag kasama niya ako. I know she understands the situation. Because she's also there.