I Heard You

Chapter 40: Distance

Huminga ako ng malalim nang mamataan si Tita Cae na inaayos ang dining table. Naglapag siya ng dalawang pinggan at inilabas ang dala niyang ulam na nakasilid sa isang paper bag.

"Tulungan na po kita..." suhestiyon ko pagkalapit sa kanya. She stopped from what she's doing and looked at me in disbelief.

"Bakit ka bumalik?" ang bungad niya sa akin.

Natigil ako sa paglakad dahil doon. I tried to act casual but her voice was making me shiver in fear. Kahit noon pa'y may ganitong epekto na talaga sa akin si Tita. She's kind, sweet and generous but there's something powerful about her personality. Yung tipong alam kong matatalo ang sinumang maglakas ng loob na sumangga sa kanya. She has that aura.

"Look..." she let out a deep sigh. "I'm sure you know I'm not pleased to see you here because of what you did to my son. But I also understand why you had to leave him."

"Po?" taka kong tanong.

"I know what happened to you through the years, Savanna. How else would I know that you can hear now, huh?"

Parang may nag-bara sa aking lalamunan dahil sa narinig. "Ano pong ibig mong sabihin, Tita?"

My parents and I made sure that no one will know about what happened except us and a few trusted people! So how...

"I hired someone. He investigated. He told me what he learned. The reason why you went out of the country, I know that. The happenings in your life over the past years, I'm aware of that. You don't expect me to chill while my son's grieving, do you?" nag-taas ng kilay si Tita Cae.

Humawak ako sa upuan bilang suporta. Nanlalambot ang aking tuhod sa rebelasyong sinabi ni Tita. Kung alam niya ang tungkol doon, does that mean alam din iyon ni Cryd? Did she tell him? Oh, God!

"No," ani Tita saka pinagpatuloy ang paghahain sa mesa. "If you're thinking I leaked your secret, no. I didn't. I didn't tell anyone about it, even to my husband. I respect your decision. You want to keep it a secret, so I did the same."

I sighed in relief. Thank goodness!

"Everyday, I pray for your safety and recovery, Sav," she said sincerely. "But that doesn't mean I still want you for my son."

Tumahimik ako't pinagmasdan siyang isalin ang ulam sa mas maayos na lagayan.

"You weren't here to see how heartbroken he was when you left. And I don't want to see my son like that again. Always sad, almost dying because of too much depression. As a mother, to see your child destroying himself for a girl was torture, Savanna," she said. "The heartache you caused him was unbearable. He almost..."

Tumikhim siya't napailing. "I don't want you to see me as an antagonist to your story but to be honest..."

Tumigil si Tita para tignan ako ng seryoso. "I want you to keep your distance from my son. Stay away from him. He's happy now, he has moved on..."

I gulped. Tita was calm but I can hear how she threw each words like knife.

"With Megan, he's happy. I hope you understand..."

The lump on my chest grew heavier. It's only right for her to say that.

"I'm not saying, you quit whatever job he hired you for. Just don't be too close. Know your limitations as his employee. That's all I'm asking you, in return for keeping your secret a secret."

Slowly, I nodded.

Gusto kong sabihin na una palang ay plano ko na talagang huwag masyadong mapalapit muli sa anak niya. Si Cryd lamang itong pilit na bumubuwag sa pader na binubuo ko sa pagitan naming dalawa.