The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 9

Somehow, there seems to be an awkward silence hanging in the air, as the car cruised on the way to Batangas.

Alyssa looks to be deep in thought, biting on her thumbnail.

Kiefer sighed, and put on some music.

Still, Alyssa looks tense.

"You okay?" he asked. She gave him a quick look, and nodded.

"Don't lie to me. Alam ko may mali," Kiefer said, his eyes on the road. But Alyssa just kept her silence.

Alyssa was staring aimlessly at the passing greeneries. She does not know where to start, how to explain to her parents. She's afraid that they will not take this lightly...

She sighed.

They were near her place, and she started giving out directions. It was a rural area, with dusty roads, tree-lined streets, and houses made of wood.

Alyssa pointed a bungalow that seems to be made of durable material, but gray and unpainted. Even looks unfinished. But it has a neat and homey feel to it, with its veranda very welcoming, the wooden furniture scattered strategically.

Kiefer parked his car under a mango tree that seems to be leaning on the cyclone-wire gate. Alyssa took a deep breath, and just as she was about to unbuckle her seatbelt, Kiefer grabbed her hand, "I'm sorry."

Alyssa shook her head, "Kung may magso-sorry man, si Sarah dapat."

Kiefer nodded, trying to seek consolation in her words. Yet he knows it isn't so.

It was sweltering hot, and Alyssa gathered her hair in a ponytail, while calling out her family's attention, "Itay! Itay! Andito na po ako!"

Someone stepped out of the house, and took a peek, "Ineng, ikaw ba 'yan?"

"Opo, Inang Eba!" Alyssa called out, and opened the gate. She looked at Kiefer, and nodded invitation. Kiefer moved forward, walking behind her.

Everyone started to pile out, curious who was with their Ineng. Kiefer felt so out of place, as if all eyes are on him.

Alyssa doesn't know how to introduce him to everyone. She just wanted as few people know about her situation, but she wants everyone to know about Sarah, so that everyone could help look for her.

"Ineng, pasok kayo dito ng bisita mo," Lita, her mother, called out to her and Kiefer. "Anong pangalan mo, anak?" she addressed Kiefer. "Nay, si Kiefer," was all Alyssa offered. She took her mother's hand to ask for blessing. "Kief, si Inay," she introduced him to her. She then walked beside her mother, and whispered, "Nay, kausapin po namin kayo ni Itay."

Her mother stopped walking, took a good look at her, and at Kiefer, "May dapat ba akong malaman?" Alyssa shook her head, "I-explain ko po mamaya. Sa inyo ni Itay." Her mother nodded, and yelled, "Ruel, yung anak mo andito na. May kasamang bisita."

Her father stepped out of a room, and said, "Ineng, nauwi ka?"

Alyssa went over and hugged her father, "Itay, na-miss ko po kayo!" Then she turned to introduce Kiefer to her father. After they have exchanged pleasantries, Alyssa nodded at her mother, and Lita said, "Ruel, dun tayo sa likod. Kakausapin tayo ni Ineng at Kiefer."

Her father looked at Alyssa and Kiefer, sensing something is up. He just kept quiet, and nodded, leading the way.

It was definitely warm, but the cool provincial air makes the weather bearable. They could hear their neighbors children yelling, seemingly enjoying their weekend. Alyssa breathed in the scenery, missing her childhood.