ELMO’S HOUSE.
ELMO: pumasok sa house
FRANCIS: “Elmo!” nakaupo sa sofa at matigas ang mukha
PIA: “Son.” Sad smile at lumapit kay Elmo at bumeso
ELMO: beso kay Pia “Mom, Dad, what brought you here?”
FRANCIS: “I think you know the answer to that particular question.” Tumayo at nilagay ang kamay sa bulsa
ELMO: “What are you talking about?” puzzled
FRANCIS: deep breath “My God, Elmo! After a few weeks of silence! I thought nagbago ka na at itinigil na ang mga kalokohan mo! Now what, makakarating sa amin na may pinatulog ka na babae dito?!” galit
ELMO: “Who told you that?!”
FRANCIS: “It doesn’t matter kung sino ang nagsabi sa amin! Ang gusto kong malaman kung totoo ban a may pinatulog ka na babae dito!”
PIA: lumapit kay Francis at hinawakan ang braso nito “Frans, let him explain. Let him answer first.”
FRANCIS: “Answer my question!”
PIA: tiningnan si Elmo “Son, is it true?
ELMO: “Yes, it’s true.” Relax lang
PIA: napahawak sa puso at deep breath “W-what did you do? T-the two of you…”
ELMO: “Nothing.” umupo
PIA: “Are you two alone? K-kasama nyo ba si Charles?”
ELMO: “No, we were alone.”
PIA: parang hihimatayin “Oh my God!” napahawak sa noo
FRANCIS: inalalayan si Pia “That’s it!” galit
ELMO: napatayo “Hey! It’s not what you think!”
FRANCIS: “Then what?!”
ELMO: “Look, we just… we just talked. W-we…”
FRANCIS: “You what?!”
ELMO: “Dad!” tiningnan si Francis
PIA: tumayo “Calm down, both of you! Francis, let him explain.”
FRANCIS: tumingin kay Pia “Explain what?! He just admitted it!”
PIA: “Elmo, please! Tell us what really happened?”
ELMO: nagtaas ng boses “Fine! I got sick! I got sick and had to skip school for a week! She got worried and checked on me! There was an emergency with the company and Uncle Charles had to tend to it. She volunteered to be my nurse for that night. Everyone okay now?!” deep breath
PIA: nagulat “Son…”
FRANCIS: deep breath “Who’s this girl you’re talkin about?”
ELMO: “She’s my classmate. She’s also a family. Kapatid sya ng fiancé ni Kuya.”
PIA: “Y-you mean…” parang nabunutan ng tinik
ELMO: “We did nothing. She slept in the guess room, I slept in mine. Besides, she’s a family. She’s an exception.”
FRANCIS: “So, you’ve met your brother’s fiancé already and her family.” Chill down na
ELMO: “Just her. Their parents are in US.”
FRANCIS: “And you troubled them already.”
ELMO: “Yeah, I’m just so greatfull to them especially Julie.”
FRANCIS: “So, Julie is the name.” curious
PIA: “She must be a very nice girl.” Smile
ELMO: “Well, she is. At some point, she’s special. She and her sister are both nice. No wonder Kuya fell for Ate French.”
FRANCIS: “She’s special.” Ulit nya
ELMO: “At some point, yes. But, who cares? Everyone’s special in their own way. She’s just… she’s…”
FRANCIS: “At some point, you say. At what point then?”
ELMO: “She’s a family, that’s what makes her special to me. I can never play with my family. I can never let down Kuya just by dating his fiance’s sister.”
FRANCIS: “I’ve already met Frencheska. I know she’s a nice girl.”
ELMO: “She is. They both are.”
PIA: “I can see you’ve changed.” Smile
FRANCIS: “And I hope it’s for good.”
PIA: “I’d like to meet that girl named Julie.”
ELMO: “You will, Mom. Soon…”
PIA: “I’m so sorry, Son. We thought bad about you. We’re really sorry…” nilapitan si Elmo at niyakap
ELMO: “It’s okay, Mom.” Hugs back
FRANCIS: “Just make sure you’ll keep the rule that no girls is allowed to stay here at night. And if possible, no girls here… at all, except for the maids... and that Julie…”
ELMO: “What?!” taas kilay
FRANCIS: “She’s a family, you said. Family members can come here, but as much as possible no over nights.”
ELMO: roll eyes “Yeah, yeah, I know.”
PIA: “I knew you’re good. I have so much trust in you now, Son. How are you feeling nap ala? You skipped school for a week? Did you went to your doctor?”
ELMO: “I did. He said everything is just fine. No worries, Mom. You know what happenes when I’m sick.”
PIA: “Yeah, but you should’ve called me.”
ELMO: “I didn’t wanna worry you.”
PIA: “Oh, son! Next time call me when you’re sick.”
ELMO: “I won’t get sick anymore.”
PIA: “You impossible kid. I’m gonna talk to your doctor.”
ELMO: “No, Mom, you won’t. Everything’s taken cared of. Hayaan nyo na si Uncle Charles ang bahala sa akin.”
PIA: “But Son!”
ELMO: “Mom, he will only tell you the same thing. I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong. You don’t have to worry.”
PIA: “Okay. Just take your vitamins regularly.”
ELMO: “Will do.”
PIA: “And avoid getting sick!”
ELMO: “Sure will!” smile
FRANCIS: “We just came to check on you. We’ll be leaving now.”
PIA: “Be good, Son.” Beso
ELMO: beso “Will do.”
FRANCIS/PIA: umalis na
ELMO’s MIND
Bakit nga ba special si Julie for me? What made her special aside from being Ate Frencheska’s sister? Naguguluhan ako sa nararamdaman ko… I can’t let myself fall for another woman again. I can’t let anyone into my life again the way I let Lauren before. I can’t afford to break my heart anymore… not again…
