The Origins: Elementals (Under Major Revision)

Chapter 41: Long Lost

Chapter 41

Lexine Gonzales

Ten years ago, life was easier.

I was walking inside our subdivision pauwi galing sa school. Hindi na nakapasok ang school bus namin dahil sa truck na nakaharang sa gate, nag aayos ng mga wires.

So I had no choice but to walk. Dadaan na lang ako sa tindahan later para bumili ng favorite kong candy.

I chewed on the last tamarind-flavor Frutos when I was already near our house. Pero napakunot noo ako ng may makitang unfamiliar car na nakapark sa labas ng bahay.

"Sino naman kaya visitor namin today? Is it papa's colleague again?" I asked myself.

Tumakbo na ako papunta roon at nagmadaling pumasok para makita ang bisita. May makakalaro na kaya ako ngayon? Palagi kasing principal yata ang nagpupunta rito, asking papa to be a teacher. E my papa's a doctor.

"I'm home!" Sigaw ko pagkapasok ng bahay at dumeretso sa sala. "Kaninong car po yung nasa labas?"

All eyes were on me. As if they have been quiet all this time and I broke their silence. But I noticed that everyone, including the visitors, have red and puffy eyes. What happened?

I scanned the whole room for unfamiliar faces. An old woman in maroon corporate blazer, black pencil cut skirt and a polished, black shoes. A guy, younger than the woman, in black coat and blue scarf. And a little boy, sitting across the sofa.

Nakayuko lang siya and not looking at anyone.

"Evelyn, Johann, this my daughter Lexine." My mom introduced me. She sat beside my papa who's quiet the whole time. The two adults nod their head and I did the same. "She's three years younger than Sefreigh so I guess they'll get along."

Medyo nalilito na ako dahil hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyayari. I don't understand anything at all. So I sat between my parents to at least listen. Hindi naman nila ako pinaalis.

"Lexine, honey." I looked at mama when she called me. "This boy is Sefreigh Gonzales. He's your cousin on your daddy's side. Sa ngayon ay dito sya sa atin titira. Okay?"

I gaped at the Sefreigh boy with wide eyes. "Really?! I have a cousin? Can I play with him?"

"Of course! It's good to have playmates right?" My mama smiled, yet I saw something in her eyes. An unwept tear.

Pero hindi ko siya tinanong why. My papa is also not saying anything. He kept his mouth close and his lips in thin line. As a kid, natatakot ako magtanong kasi baka magalit siya.

Little did I know, Sefreigh's parents were murdered in their house, both mother and father. A bad memory for a ten-year old kid, right?

He hid in their closet as armored men raided their house, killing everyone in it. Masuwerte siya dahil hindi siya agad nakita ng mga iyon kundi, I don't know what happened anymore.

His father was my papa's older brother, that's why he couldn't speak that day. And his mother is my mama's close friend. That's why they're crying. And the boy. The poor boy. He lost his parents at a very young age. I could not even imagine my parents gone for good.

My heart ached at the thought, I began to cry too.

I decided to call him 'Kuya' then. Because I know he needed a family.

Inikot ko na buong bahay namin para hanapin si Kuya Sef but I still couldn't see him. Saan naman kaya siya napunta? Hindi naman siya nakita ni Ate Fely na lumabas.