The Forgotten's Envy (Masquerade Girls, #1)

Chapter 35

"Where is Kuya?" Czanelle pouted. That was her fifth time asking the same question.

"He'll be back later," sagot ko.

"Yey!"

Tumakbo naman ulit siya sa sala kung nasaan si Clark at naghabulan silang dalawa. Three days na lang ay simula na naman ng sem kaya balak kong bumili ng gamit ngayon pero hindi naman ako makaalis sa bahay. All the adults had their own schedules so I was stuck with these kids. Mom went to her specialist while both Nanay Meling and Kuya Larry spent their week-vacation with their families.

Tumayo naman ako at pumunta rin sa sala. I sat on the couch while watching those two wasting their energy. Mag-8 A.M. pa lang kaya medyo inaantok pa ako. My body clock was ruined after pulling off sleepless nights, binge-watching series, but these kids invaded my room a while ago because Mom left and I had to watch over them. I should still be sleeping but thanks to them, I only got four hours of sleep. I already felt drained and my menstrual cramps was worsening my condition.

Naramdaman ko naman ang pag-vibrate ng phone sa bulsa ko kaya agad ko 'yong kinuha. Pagtingin ko, may notification sa isang messaging app at napangiti ako nang mabasa ko ang pangalan ni Shang.

Some board members sided with us. You should've seen the look on Mr. Yu's face.

Nag-reply naman agad ako sa kanya.

You should've recorded it. I want to see that geezer's horrified or maybe annoyed expression.

After our encounter in Singapore, we kind of became each other's confidant, especially regarding company matters. He was my eyes and ears and I was thankful for having him as an ally.

Humiga muna ako saglit at pipikit na sana ako nang marinig ko ang pag-iyak ng isa sa kanila. Agad naman akong bumangon at nakita ko si Clark na nakadapa sa sahig. Czanelle was helping him get up and she was about to cry, too, so I ran toward their direction.

"Shh, it's okay," I said, trying to comfort Clark, as well as Czanelle. It would be hard to deal with both of them having crying bouts.

Binuhat ko si Clark at hinawakan ko naman sa kamay si Czanelle. Pumunta kami sa couch kahit na hindi ko alam ang dapat gawin. Hindi naman ako marunong magluto at ubos na ang pagkaing iniwan ni Mom kanina para sa amin. How should I pacify these two?

I opted to use my trump card—cartoons. Binuksan ko ang TV at nilipat sa isang kiddie network. That got their attention. They were still sobbing but they gradually focused on the show and stopped crying. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag at napasandal sa couch.

"Kumusta?"

I let out an inhuman screech when I saw Jazer's face above mine and I heard his suppressed laughter. Ni hindi ko naramdaman na sana likuran na pala namin siya.

Ibang-iba naman ang reaksyon ng dalawang bubwit dahil nagmadali silang pumunta kay Jazer habang ako ay hindi pa rin makapaniwalang nandito na siya. I didn't expect him to arrive this early.

"Kuya! Kuya! You're back!" Czanelle beamed as she did a celebratory dance for Jazer's return. Clark copied her movements and he looked like a hyperactive penguin.

Na-realize ko na kaya siya nakapasok agad ay dahil binigyan siya ni Kuya Larry ng spare key, in case na walang tao rito sa bahay. Dahil masyado akong naka-focus kanina sa pagpapatahan sa dalawang bubwit ay hindi ko narinig ang pagpasok niya.

Tumingin naman siya sa direksyon ko at saka ngumiti. As usual, lumabas na naman ang dimple niya. He looked like he was in a good mood. Huh. Maybe something good happened while he was in the province.