Stolen Identity

Chapter 20

"Auntie.", I said. I felt my mouth suddenly dried.

"Mika? What are you doing here? I thought you have recordings today.", she said as her eyebrows furrowed. I gulped. What should I say?

"Y-yeah. Unfortunately, I forgot something so bumalik ako. Actually, pabalik na din ako ngayon sa studio. Baka ma-late ako kaya alis na po ako Auntie."

Tinitigan niya ako then dahan dahan siyang tumango. "Okay."

I gave her a quick hugged and left hurriedly. I felt my legs trembling as I walked towards my car. Sumakay ako ng kotse at pinatakbo 'to ng mabilis. Nang malayo na ako sa subdivision, hininto ko ang sasakyan. I exhaled harshly. Parang lahat ng hangin ko sa katawan nilabas ko na. That was closed! Feeling ko nga magpapassed out na ako kanina eh. I feel my chest and closed my eyes. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. I counted 50 before I opened my eyes. Para akong pagod na pagod. Ganon na ba talaga katindi ang epekto sa akin ng presence ni Auntie? Pero bakit? Hinala pa lang naman ang pinanghahawakan namin sa kanya. But honestly, besides from Mr. Gray, she's the only suspect on that kidnapping. Part of me, ayaw maniwala. But there is a small voice inside me shouting to believe it. But why? I gently massage my temple. Tumingin ako sa paligid. Nandito pala ako ngayon sa tabi ng dagat. At tamang tama ang pwesto ko dahil kitang kita dito ang papalubog ng araw. I sighed. What a breathtaking view. Noong bata pa ako, madalas kaming magpunta nila Mommy at Daddy sa lugar na ito. Kwento ni Mommy, dito daw sila madalas magdate ni Daddy. Lumabas ako ng sasakyan at naglakad lakad. Nakakita ako ng couple na magkaakbay habang nakatingin sa papalubog ng araw. Yung mga bata naman, nakikipaglaro sa alon ng dagat. Yung iba, gumagawa ng sand castle. May mga nagiihaw din ng barbecue. Hindi sila nagpipicnic. That's their business. Selling barbecues. I saw a boy making his own sea by digging the sand. Pero kapag dumadating ang alon, nasisira din yung hinukay niya. Tapos, maghuhukay ulit siya para makagawa ulit. Weird. Yung iba naman, piniling manahimik na lang at ibaon ang katawan. Ibaon sa buhangin. May natapakan pa nga ako kanina eh. Nung nagsorry ako, tinitigan lang niya ako. Tapos pagtalikod ko, narinig kong sinabi niyang, "Si Mikaelle yun di ba?" Kaya nagmamadali akong bumalik sa kotse.

I glanced at my bag and remembered something. I dug my hand into it and pulled the picture. Kinuha ko ito sa kwarto ko kanina. It's me and my Mom kissing Dad on his cheeks. Maraming nagsasabing para lang daw kaming magkakapatid. So anong ibig sabihin non?! Tsk. I remembered Dad pouted like a girl kapag hindi sinusunod ni Mommy ang request niya na ulam. He loves meat. Very. Kung pwede lang, araw araw, yun ang ulam niya. Pero pag kami bawal. Dapat daw mga thrice or four times a week lang kami maguulam non. Dahil don, nakakatikim siya ng batok kay Mommy. Ganon sila madalas maglambingan. Minsan pa, nakikita ko na lang si Mommy, hinahabol ng toilet plunger si Dad. I guess Mom was a bit harsh there. Like duh? Can she pick up other thing instead of that plunger? Like hanger? Plunger hanger? Ok that sounds corny.

The next day, Jeon brought me a lovely guitar. I'm so glad he did that. I don't want to spend my whole day idling. After playing three songs, I felt my fingers sting a little. Right. Matagal na din pala akong hindi nakakapag-gitara. I scanned his room. Yeah I'm in his room. I spend most of my days being here. I feel comfortable in here. Tumingin ako ng book sa shelf niya. That's when I saw a picture. Nakaiipit yun sa isang book. A picture of a young chubby boy frowning like there's nothing right in the world. Hey, this boy looks familiar. Kaano ano kaya 'to ni Jeon?

"BOOO!!" said the creepy voice.

"AAH!!" I jumped in surprise and almost fall into the ground. "Flay!" I glared at her as I pick the book and picture that fell onto the floor.