Mirror (Completed)

Kabanata 31

Alex

"This is quite expensive but if you have a money it doesn't matter." with a british accent the tax driver commented.

I look at him. If only he has any idea what I am running for. I check my clutch bag and found a phone, face powder and a lipstick. 

I forgot, I did not bother to take a wallet or cards with me because I am always with Alex. He insist to be my personal manager.

Once again, I look at my hands with the piece of paper from it. If this is the address maybe they are still there until later? Right?

I shut my eyes convincing my self from my own thoughts.

I looked at the driver once again. I sigh. "I am sorry..." I apologize at lumabas na ng taxi. 

Bumalik ako sa condominium at dumiretso sa lift. Sa isang kamay ay hawak ko ang papel kung saan nakasaad doon ang lugar na iniwan ni Tyron.

Bakit hindi niya ako hinintay? or bakit hindi niya iniwan ang phone number niya?

Then I remember that he has a family here but then again that was years ago. Paano kung lumipat na sila?

As soon as I get in, in Alex space. Kinuha ko agad ang laptop at sinubukan ulit ang swerte ko sa paghahanap kay Tyron. While on the laptop I contact Alex and when I got no answer after a few call I hang up and left a very long message.

Going back to the laptop. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr. I found nothing under his name. Under Tyron's name.  Susuko na sana ako ng maisip ko si Tobias. It is impossible for Tobias to have a social media account but I will still try. 

I typed 'Von Tobias Talavera' on Facebook and I succeed! Ang bumungad sa akin ay ang mukha ni Tobias at ni Tyron. Karga ni Tyron si Tobias at parehas sila ng suot na damit.

I did not hesitate to add the account and leave a message right away. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa screen.

After a months ay ngayon ko lamang muli itong sinubukan at ngayon nga ay magbabakasakali akong muli. This is stupid! But I try searching their name before. Maybe this is a new account?

Ilang oras ang hinintay ko, ilang refresh ang ginawa ko bago ko nakita ang pagbabago ng status namin sa Facebook.

Tinignan ko ang message. It was seen and there is a three dots. 

I've waited for the reply but instead I was responded by a suddenly video call from Tobias. 

"Hi." Bati niya sa akin. Napalunok ako at hindi makapagsalita. 

"Tobias..." tumulo ang luha ko. 

"Why are you crying?" He asked. 

"Nothing. I missed you."  I wipe my tears. I want to hug him but he is screen away. I want to tell him that he is my son pero baka mabigla siya.

"I knew it. My father show me a picture of you. Is it real?" Diretsong tanong niya. He is very smart at his age. "Is it real? Or my father has a crush on you and he is obsessed and imagine you as my mother?" His eyes is innocent and full of curiosity.

"Tobias..." lumingon siya sa pintuan ng may tumawag doon. It was Tyron. "My father is calling me. Bye." I stopped him but he already close the video call. 

MULA ng gabi na iyon ay parati akong nakatutok sa social media account ko thinking that he would open his account again. 

"Mia, Let's eat first!" Hindi ko sinagot ang anyaya ni Alex.

"No one would take that away from you." He said and held my arms to stand up from sitting on the bed. I put the laptop down.

"Are you really sure that they are not in the address?" I asked him again. I know I already ask this and his answer won't change but still I am hoping. 

"Yes." kumagat siya ng tinapay. "No Tyron or Tobias, there." he said. I sip on my coffee. 

"Can I cancel the photoshoot, today?" May photoshoot ako mamaya pero hindi kasi sapat sakin ang sagot ni Alex kaya ang gusto ko ako mismo ang pupunta doon. 

"Why?" walang gana na tanong niya. Na nagsasabi din na kapag wala akong magandang rason it's a no for cancel.

Money is everything for Alex. And cancelling the photoshoot would be a headache for him.

"I am not feeling well. I feel suffocated today and I want to unwind." Half truth na sagot ko. Hindi sapat ang walang Tobias at Tyron doon kaya ganito ang pakiramdam ko. If he is on my situation maybe he'll understand me.

He eyed me, making sure I am not telling a lie. "Alright! Just for today."

"Thanks." wika ko sabay inom pa ng kape.

"Oh! And also Alex. Can I have some cash or cards? I want to buy some new bags and clothes..." I lied.  Nakita kong nagulat siya at parang tumabang ang mukha niya pero kasunod noon ay ngumiti siya sa akin.

"Sure. I will arrange it now. The cards..." tumayo siya at may tinawagan. Dinukot niya ang wallet niya at kinuha ang ilang cards doon at cash.

Why do I feel that Alex is hiding something from me?

"I need to go. There is something I need to fix first." aniya. Tumango ako at lumakad na pabalik sa kama kung nasaan nandoon ang laptop.

Bigla kong naisip na buksan ang luma kong account. What I am using right now is just an account with the name Mia Alvarez.  That's what the only name people here in England knows about me. 

My old account has a name of Vannalein Alvarez T

As soon as I opened it, I was flooded with a numerous messages from a different accounts.

I opened the one from Tyron Talavera. 

"Mia, I thought you are here in England because you were looking for us? I always send a message to your condo's front desk."

"Mia."

"Mia. Bakit ayaw mo na akong kausapin? Alex--..."

I immediately closed my laptop ng bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa noon si Alex.

"Why are you shocked?" I shook my head. "I just saw a horror clip in Facebook before you entered. What is it? Did you left something?" He smiled. 

"I forgot to say the pin number. I left one ATM just in case." He said. 

"I see." Sinabi niya ang pin number at umalis ng muli.