De La Escalera Series 1: Midnight Waves

Chapter 1: Echoes of Guilt

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Echoes of Guilt

I leaned back on my office chair, staring at the sprawling cityscape of Manila from the high-rise window. The glow of neon lights contrasted sharply with the deepening twilight outside. The hum of the city seemed distant as I focused on my cellphone.

"Are you sure?" he asked for the fifth time, as if making sure my decision was firm.

"Yes, Kuya. I'll just check everything."

I heard him sigh. Nasa abroad pa rin si Kuya. When Daddy died, Lola took care of Kuya and me. Now that she's in her late 80s, her health has become increasingly fragile and demanding.

With our family's shifting focus to Lola's care, the responsibilities at home fell heavily on both of us. Kuya's current role in the US was crucial, leaving me with the responsibility to handle matters in De La Escalera.

Though Kuya isn't pushing me to do so, I feel like I need to at least help him. Our Lola's declining health added to the family's stress, making Kuya's absence even more pronounced.

"I'll contact everyone to tell them you're coming home. At least they can help you."

Hinayaan ko na si Kuya sa mga gusto niya. After a lot of convincing, I realized that Kuya really needed my help this time. We still need income from the farm to support our Lola's medical needs.

Ito ang sinasabi ni Kuya sa akin. Hindi ko naman daw kailangan magpakita sa mga tao kung ayaw ko. Kalaunan, I realized that running away from the ghosts of my past won't help us in this time of crisis.

"Sigurado ka ba na hindi na ako sasama?" tanong ni Claire, ang aking sekretarya.

Kanina pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin ni Kuya ay tinawagan ko na agad si Claire para ayusin ang mga gamit ko. I don't need a lot of clothes, sapat na ang pang-limang araw na damit. Kailangan ko lang naman i-check ang lahat saka ako muling uuwi ng Manila.

"Hindi na. Mabilis lang naman ako do'n. At isa pa, I need you in my office," sagot ko.

Ngumuso si Claire at saka tumango, "Oh sya, kung ano man ang mangyari, tawagan mo ako. Susunod agad ako sa'yo."

Mabilis ang pag-drive ko ng kotse dahil masyado nang magdidilim sa daan. Kailangan ko na din magmadali, hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong madadatnan ko pagdating ko ng De La Escalera. It was a three-hour drive.

It was well past midnight when my car rolled up to the towering iron gates of our mansion. The familiar surroundings should have already brought me comfort, but something felt off.

An unfamiliar man wearing our usual uniform for our guards walked toward me and knocked on my window. I realized that the guards stationed at the gate were strangers-no familiar faces from my childhood. I frowned.

I stepped out of the vehicle and approached the guard. A man in his early 40s, dressed in his usual crisp uniform, looked up at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Saan po sila, Miss?"

"Hi, I'm Isla Palencia," I began confidently. "And this is my family's home. I know you don't know me, but I guess you know my brother? He didn't let you know?" Dahan-dahan bumababa ang confidence ko.

The guard gave me a polite but stiff nod before pulling out a clipboard. He scanned through a list and frowned, shaking his head before turning to me, "Pasensya na, Miss. Sandali lang po at itatawag ko po muna sa loob."

"What?" My confusion deepened. "But this is my home. I don't need to be confirmed. I'm a Palencia. This is my property. This is my family's property..."