Silhouette of the Past

Chapter 7

AN: All images posted below will help you picture out the Lopez mansion. These photos are grabbed from Lamudi, a real estate company. This home is truly located at Maria Luisa Park in Banilad, Cebu City. This is posted as FOR SALE for only 150 million pesos. If you are an interested buyer, go to the Lamudi website. Ciaò! 😉😉

Pagkatapak ko pa lang sa marmol naming sahig, nanlamig bigla ang pakiramdam ko. It's never a new feeling for me. Everytime na papasok ako sa bahay na ito ay ito ang nararamdaman ko.

I might be living in this grand house but it never did feel like a home to me.

Most families will experience some hurdles at times. Alam ko yun. Coming from a birth out of wedlock, I am not expecting a normal family. Lalo na nung kinuha na ako ng ama ko sa taong nagpalaki sa akin sa probinsya. I never once met my mom, ang alam ko lang ay iniwan nya ako sa isang kasambahay and one morning, I woke up being fetched by my father. It's a lot to process but wala akong choice but to adapt.

I get that we are emotionally complex beings. Every individual has their own opinions, ideas, responses and feelings sa mga ganitong klaseng situation. But back then, I was happy. Thankful even, to know na may pamilya pala ako in a form of a father. It is common that we would disagree with each other at times pero I tried to be the perfect daughter for him para di nya pagsisihan ang pagkuha sa akin.

Relationship problems in his current family and negative emotions that they feel for me can often spiral and worsen that leads to further difficulties for my father and me so I tried to be understanding. I know for a fact na sampid lang ako kaya natuto akong lumugar para walang masabi ang asawa niya sa akin.

The important part is, I know that I can learn how to cope and manage with difficult situations and disagreements. Diba? Ganoon naman dapat?

But bad comes to worse and everything went downhill 6 years ago. And that's a memory I don't want to remember.

"Marga?"

Nilingon ko ang nagsalita. Upon seeing who, iniayos ko ang tindig, authority evident in my stance. I won't let them make me feel inferior. Not anymore.

"Oh, Zia. Long time no see." I smirked to hide the whirlwind of emotions that I feel.

She still looked like she's mentally debating kung ako ba talaga ang kaharap nya o hindi kaya pinitik ko ang aking dalawang daliri sa harapan nya. Tila namamalikmata parin nya akong tinitigan.

"You changed." mahinang anas nya. Still having a hard time processing my presence.

Tinignan nya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. From my well styled hair, to my skin fitting Chanel black dress up till my gold Gucci pumps.

I fake a laugh. "I'll take that as a compliment. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to rest. Jetlag, you know." I walk pass her not minding to let her recover from her shock.

Pero naudlot ang gagawin kong hakbang nang makita ko ang pigura ni Stella na eleganteng bumababa ng hagdan.

"Margarette. It's good to have you home." nakangiti nyang saad habang nakatingin sa akin.

Home. Halos iluwa ko ang salitang iyon. But I smiled at her, or at least I tried to.

"Tita Stella." madiin kong bati. "Thank you for your warm welcome but enough with the pleasantries. I'm dead tired and I need to rest." may panunuya kong sagot sa kanya.

Nang makababa na sya ng tuluyan ay mas lalo kong natitigan ang kanyang aristokratang ganda. She is still beautiful as always. She's younger than my dad, 8 years ang gap nila. She looked like she haven't aged a day. Ganito talaga siguro pag ipinanganak kang maganda. You will always be beautiful. Timeless ang gandang angkin nya.

"Why is she here mom?" nilingon ko ang nakahalukipkip na si Zia. Nakasimangot ang magandang mukha niya. She's an exact replica of her mom. Only more younger. I smirked at her not bothering to acknowledge her question.

"Kumain ka na ba, Marga? I'll let the helpers prepare food for you." Stella said, ignoring her daughter. This is what I like about her. Ang galing nyang makipag plastikan. Note the sarcasm.

"I'm full. Don't mind doing that, Tita." I dismissively waved my hand. "Anyway, where's Margeaux?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan tutal parang ayaw pa naman niya akong paakyatin. I am looking for my other younger sister, I bought her something so might as well give it to her.

Nag-isang linya ang labi ni Stella. "She's in LIV, with her friends."

LIV? like LIV Superclub? LIV is a high-end bar in Mandaue. I used to go there and get wasted during my crazy self years ago. "Wait. Isn't she too young to go there? She's like what, 16?" nagtataka kong tanong. I don't quite get it. Something is off. I wouldn't expect this kind of behavior from Margeaux lalo pa at daddy's girl sya at alagang alaga ni Stella. They would never let her have a single step inside that place specially after what I did.

I heard Zia scoffed. "Wow. So you promote house arrest now? Aren't you a patron of all clubs in Cebu before? In fact, you did worse kaya don't act as if Margeaux being there is a problem."

I rolled my eyes heavenward. Same old Zia. "There is no problem about it, sister. It doesn't mean that if I did those kind of things before I can no longer promote against it today. It's called maturity, Zia. I guess that's one word your school forgot to teach you."

Padabog akong umakyat nang hagdan not waiting for her answer. Habang tahimik lamang akong tinitignan ni Stella.

Bakas na bakas ang inis sa mukha niya. "I take what I said back earlier. You never changed. Skwater ka parin! You may be clothed in expensive garments pero mumurahin ka paring babae." namumula ang pisngi nya sa inis habang nanlilisik ang mga mata nyang nakatingin sa akin.

I stop on my tracks and smiled sweetly at her. "I could say the same to you, Zia. You are still imitating the class that your mother have when we all know that the only class that you have is being a class A bitch."

She was about to say something back but I stopped her before she can open her mouth.

"Please, Zia. Do our helpers a favor and stop opening your mouth. I don't have the time to call them everytime garbage comes out of it. Okay?"

Not looking back, I exited with a smile plastered on my lips.

I'm back, bitch.