Burnt Traces (Esquivel Series #1)

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 27
HANDKERCHIEF

          SINALUBONG kaagad ako ng mahigpit na yakap ni Cymon. I noticed how he changed a lot. Minsan na lamang silang makabisita sa akin doon sa US. Napansin kong medyo namayat siya at stressed ang mukha. I felt sorry for my brother. He is really dealing a tough time and I can't even do anything just so I could brighten him up.

"God. I missed you."

"Me too. I'm glad you didn't have a second thought to fly back here." Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at humiwalay sa yakap niya. I smiled. He wouldn't know right? Hindi niya naman siguro mapansin na kinakabahan ako. Yes, I am so fucking nervous. It was 6 years! Marami na ang nangyari. But all I could think of is the scars of yesterday.

"Kamusta na pala si Mama?" He carried my luggage. Nagsimula na kaming maglakad palabas ng airport. Sa labas naghihintay ang kaniyang kotse.

"She's doing great. Nagcollapse na lamang siya bigla. Nasa opisina ako nun. Buti na lang at nadala kaagad siya ng mga maids sa ospital. The doctor said that it's due to stress." He sighed. I am so guilty. Hindi ko naisip na may pinagdadaanan din silang problema rito. All I could think of is about myself, my own struggles, my own pain. I was being selfish.

"How about the company?" Hindi niya ako liningon. Linagay niya ang aking luggage sa likod ng kotse. Hindi ako tanga para hindi maisip iyan. Cymon was very secretive of me. Alam ko namang ayaw niyang mabahala ako.

Our company, which is the Atalias Inc. was one of the pioneering car company of the country. My lolo (Cymon's real grandfather), Don Sergio Atalia, fancied cars when he was still on his early times. Kaya mayroong Atalias Inc. dahil sa kaniya. He was a proud and hardworking man with full of vision in his lifetime. That is to provide premium product and services for individual mobility. Ipinasa ito kay Mommy. But she passed it later on to Cymon now.

"I'm handling it well, Cyanara. Let's not talk about this. Ang mabuti ay nandito kana." He smiled dryly.

Dumiretso kaagad kami sa ospital kung nasaan naka-confine si Mommy. Nang nakarating kami sa kaniyang silid, nadatnan namin sina Lolo at Grandma. Mommy was happy chatting with them. Nang nakita niya ako, nagulat kaagad siya at naluha.

"Oh my, anak..." I cried when I saw her tears. Kaagad ko siyang yinakap. God, how I missed them! Hindi ako makapaniwalang nandito na talaga ako. Humihikbi si Mommy sa aking balikat. I kept on caressing her back.

"Mabuti naman at umuwi ka." Binalingan ko si Lolo. His face was serious. Katabi niya si Grandma, smiling at me. Hindi kami masyadong close pero alam kong mahal nila ako kahit hindi ako tunay na Atalia. And I am so thankful for that.

"Anak, how are you? I heard that you are doing good." Humiwalay ako sa yakap ni Mommy. I saw how she longed for me. Napangiti ako.

"Balita ko rin ay pinopormahan ka ng boss mo?" Nanlaki kaagad ang aking mga mata. Where did she get that?

"What? Sinong boss? Why didn't you tell me about this, Cyanara?" Narinig kong sabi ni Cymon sa likuran na may bahid na galit. Humagikhik si Mommy.

"Stop being so overprotective, son. Sinabihan ako ni Celeste. Kayo na ba anak?" I can't believe that woman. Hindi ko alam na sinabihan niya si Mommy. Umiling kaagad ako.

"I don't have time for it, Mom. Ikaw? How are you? Haven't I told you not to stress yourself too much? Ayan tuloy." Pag-iiba ko sa usapan. Narinig ko ang tikhim ni Lolo.

"Marami lamang akong iniisip anak. The c-company..." Kumunot kaagad ang noo ko. I know something is wrong.

"Mom." Cymon warned.