When I Escaped

Chapter 12

Naiihi na ako at nanginginig.

"Julie, darling you're so beautiful, you have the eyes of your father." Niyakap ako ng matandang babae sa café.

"Jul, this is my mom, Catherine."
Si Travis.

"Salamat sa tip Mrs. Romero, nakalimutan ko kasing magpasalamat sayo." ngumiti ako.

I really didn't expect she would be Travis's mom and I thought she was Trevor's sugar mommy.

Nakikita ko si Ella na papalapit.

"Hi Trav, happy birthday." hinalikan niya sa Trav sa pisngi.

"Julie this is Ella, childhood bestfriend ni Travis." si Mrs. Romero.

Tinitigan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "We actually are classmates, Tita." ang tunog ng boses ni Ella ay masakit pakinggan at buti nalang lumakad na siya papalayo.

Tumango ako.

Childhood bestfriends pala sila, baka nagagalit si Ella dahil inikala niya na inagaw ko sa kanya si Trav, pero hindi ko talaga alam at hindi naman ako insensitive sa feelings, baka nasasaktan rin siya kaya nababaliw na.

"Trav, can I talk to Julie for a minute." sabi ni Mrs. Romero.

Trav just eyed her.

"Julie, you're dad is a very good architect, he was my colleague. In fact he was the one who designed this house." may ikagaganda pa pala yung mama ni Travis kapag nakangiti.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Really? I did not expect dad would be this amazing." I smiled.

It's so overwhelming that they appreciate my dad's work.

Tumatango siya at hinarap ako.
"And about your mom, how is she?" tanong niya.

"Yes, she's fine."

"Julie, darling. I'm sorry about your dad, whatever happens with your mom, you are very welcome here." she touched my face but I flinched.

"Sorry po, pero hindi ko alam kung ano ho yung sinasabi niyo." I tried my best not to get mad.

"You know you're mom works here right?"

Parang nalito ako sa sinabi niya, bakit ba hindi ko alam? Right, she didn't tell me. But I'm mad?  Of course, I'm not. Hindi ko naman kinahihiya si mama. But Travis didn't tell me, why?

Series of unanswered questions pops into my mind.

"Ummm..Yes, why?"

"Your mom works here for 3 years already and she's not getting younger. I talked to her and she said she couldn't quit her job because she needs the money but Julie her health is at stake." alalang sabi niya.

I remembered what my mom told me last time at parang naluluha na ako ulit. "What, no! Imposible 'yon she would tell me if she-" hindi ko pa natapos yung sasabihin ko at nagwalk out ako.

Nagagalit ako ngayon ewan ko lang bakit o kanino pero masakit yung ulo ko.

Mrs. Romero called my name pero bahala na, I don't care what she's talking about.