Unspoken Lament

Kabanata 10

Kabanata 10

I wiped her healthy red cheeks stained with strawberries. Ysa looks very attentive while watching an action movie with Toni sa living room ng kwarto nina Ross.

Ross together with his friends and Mona are out. They went for a swim at the hotel's swimming pool. Since me and Fantine decided that the incident noon sa pool won't ever happen again, nagpaiwan na kami at naligo na lang sa jacuzzi with Ysa of course.

I heard few knocks at the door. I presented to open it and a woman with a tired eyes flaunted. She was wearing coats of jacket and a scarf. Her eyes looks like it ceased from having a storm inside it.

"Yes? How may I help you?" I asked and creased my forehead.

She just looked at me with hands clasped. "Is Ysabella with you?" she straightforwardly said.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. "Ysa?" Mas detalyadong sagot ko. She nodded and burst into crying. "You're her mother?" I asked again.

Nilawakan ko ang pagbukas sa pintuan at agad-agad siyang pumasok. She wandered like a lost child inside this wide and large presidential suite. Napasunod ako at nadatnan ang isang magandang scene.

A mom hugging her long-lost child must've felt like being incomplete, crippled and lifeless. She must've felt that she's amputated for life when she lost Ysa. Their cries stabbed and warmed my heart at the same time. I felt so happy for Ysa and her mom.

I felt a familiar hold from my shoulders. Ross is also watching the view. "We've found her at the lobby," he whispered.

Habang abala ako sa paglagay ng kamatis, luya at sibuyas sa kaserola ay sa tabi ko naman, naglilinis ng bangus si ate Belle, Ysa's mom. We're going to cook sinigang and adobong manok for the lunch since last day na namin ngayon. Medyo madaming handaan.

"You're thinking right now if how Ysa got lost and why I wasn't there." Biglang untag niya sa tabi ko.

I cleared my throat. Tumango ako, "I saw her there, wandering and lost. She was crying and I felt pity,"

"Actually that day, halos lumabas na yung puso ko sa kaba thinking of Ysa. Andaming pumapasok sa isip ko. It was horror that time. I was kidnapped," simpleng explanation niya.

My forehead creased. "Wait what? You were kidnapped?" I asked.

She nodded as an answer and smirked. "By her bastard father,"  umiling-iling pa siya.

Napuno ng pagtataka ang aking utak. I wanted to asked her about it because curiosity urges me to do so but it's something I shouldn't interfere with. Besides, this woman beside me is a stranger I met hours ago.

Hinanda na namin ang mga pagkain sa lamesa at tinawag ang mga kasama namin.

Ate Belle, Ysa's mom, decided to get their things and stuffs in their house and asked as a favor: to go with us to Manila. It seems like she's going away from something, no, someone maybe.

Ross, Basti, Fantine and I went to the same sports car while Kyle, Gabe and Ate Belle along with Ysa rode with the SUV.

Sa aming biyahe, our speakers are maxed out and our car is filled with pop punk music. This genre is okay with me though, it doesn't destroy my eardrums plus the vibe adds up a dope atmosphere inside.