A Greatest Mistake of an Innocent

IKATATLUMPU'T WALONG KABANATA

REID POV

"Mr. Dela Vega." I stiffened. That voice. That familiar and full of authority voice.

I stood the moment I saw him walking towards my direction. He's calm, full of authority and serious.

Although he's already old but his age didn't faded out his handsomeness.

My heartbeat raced fast in my ribcage when I saw who are walking behind his back.

Haley's Grandmother, mother and father.

Shit!

"What a surprise Mr. Dela Vega." malaki ang ngiting sabi ng Lolo ni Haley. Kemeng ngumiti naman sa akin ang lola't ina ni Haley samantalang tanging tango lang naman ang ginawa ng kanyang ama.

"What brought you here Mr. Dela Vega? I bet whatever your reason is, it's too important that you even came here in our place purposely." though Haley's father is smiling, I can still sense the curiousity and the seriousness in his voice.

I faked a cough. "Y-yes Sir. I'm here for a very important reason." I tried to sound normal. I tried not to stuttered. I'm infront Haley's family for Pete's sake.

The old Villaruiz nodded.

"Please take a seat." Haley's Grandmother lead us to the leather sofa.

I tried to calm myself. I tried not to stuttered. I have to look normal.

"Fely." the old man called. Ang babaeng nakaunipormeng pangkatulong ang lumapit.

"Pahanda naman ng meryenda ang panauhin natin." nahimigan ko ang respeto sa boses ng lolo ni Haley.

"A-ah huwag na p-po." tanggi ko.

"No iho, we insist." Haley's grandmother said. Kaya wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumahimik at sumang-ayon na lamang. May higit pa akong iniisip kaysa patungkol sa meryenda. May mas dapat akong isipin.

"Sige po Don." sambit ni Manang Fely bago naglakad paalis.

Muli na namang dinagsa ng kaba ang puso ko. Sinimulan na naman akong pagpawisan at nanginig ang mga kamay ko. Pakiramdam ko ay may nagrarambulan sa loob ng ribcage ko. Shit, I've never been nervous like this before.

"So what is it iho?" muling tanong ng Don.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Walang patutunguhan kung magpapatalo ako sa nerbiyos at takot. I have to face it.

"I came her not because of business." I started. They are all just looking at me and are waiting what am I going to say next.

"I came here because o-of...o-of." I'm stuttering.

"Of? You came here because of?" Haley's grandfather stated. He seemed a little bit excited.

I inhaled and exhaled.

"I came her because of your grandaughter Haley." dire-diretso kong saad.

Their smiles faded. They turned pale. I saw how Mrs. Villaruiz eyes became teary.

Don Emerson or Haley's Grandfather forehead's creased. Her father is more serious now. While the two ladies are just looking at me intently. But there is one thing everyone of them can't keep from me and it's the emptiness in their eyes. They missed Haley very much and I'm very sure of it. But why they're keeping it?

"What about her? And how did you know about her where in fact there are only chosen and few people know about her?" Don Emerson is not smiling anymore.