Hidden Behind the Stars (Celestial Series #1)

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

Trigger Warning: Self-harm

Silence is what ate the spaces in between Cassie and Shane spending more than a minute to travel their Aunt's village. It took two door bells for their Aunt to open the door who asked them if they have eaten already.

"Hindi pa po," Cassie respectfully answered.

Dinala sila nito sa hapag-kainan para makakain. Ito na ang naghanda ng kanilang pagkain, at sinabihan pa sila na huwag mahihiya.

"I really can't understand kung bakit parang ang laki ng galit ni Mama kay Tita Rachelle," bulong ni Shane sa nakatatandang kapatid bago muling nagsubo ng pagkain.

The latter only stared at her younger sister and observed her every movement.

Pumasok na naman ang kaparehas na tanong sa isipan ni Cassie. Her mother always seemed to irk whenever their auntie was around. Ano bang nangyari sa pagitan nilang dalawa at parang gano'n na lang ang galit ng ina niya?

Their Aunt treats them well. Kung sakaling kailangan nila ng bahay na matutulugan at malayo pa ang mismong bahay nila ay hinahayaan sila nito. They are also being fed by her. They are allowed to stay as long as they want and their Auntie doesn't complain. Ni minsan ay hindi ito nagpakita ng pagkadisgusto sa kanila.

Nang matapos ay sila na mismo ang nahugas ng kanilang plato. Agad na tinungo ng magkapatid ang kinaroroonan ng tiyahin na nakaupo sa madilim na sala at nanonood ng k-drama.

"Tita, matutulog na po kami," they said in chorus.

Again, they were guided by their Aunt to the guest room reserved only for them. Nando'n ang iba nilang damit at gamit.

Tiredness filled Cassie's body as she laid down lazily on the soft matress in the middle of the room. A little bit exhausted before remembering their mother.

"Kamusta na kaya si Mama?" She looked at her sister who only rolled her eyes. Even though Cassie and her mother have a bad relationship, she still cares for her although she doesn't know if her mother feels the same.

Shane was silently preparing herself to sleep. Walang pakialam sa tao na binanggit ng kanyang ate. Ano bang pakialam niya?

Cassie's mind drifted to a happening occurred after she and Migo Zyrelle had a so-called date or whatsoever.

"Where have you been?"

It was already past 12 in the midnight. Her hand stopped on the handle of the pitcher when she heard her mother's voice, but she got herself composed and managed to get the pitcher of cold water and closed the refrigerator. "Em's coffee shop. Why?"

"And what are you doing there?"

"Working," sagot niya. Nagsalin siya ng tubig sa baso at inisang lagok, hindi alintana ang tensyon maging ang lamig ng tubig na mula pa sa ref. "Bakit po, Ma?"

"Tumawag ako kanina kay Emerald pero ayaw ka niyang ipakausap... Busy ka raw. 'Yong totoo? Busy ka o hindi ka pumasok?" halata ang pang-uuyam sa boses nito. Tila isang step mother sa isang fairytale at umaastang kontrabida sa buhay ng anak-anakan. But the situation is different. Cassie is her legitimate child.

"Pumasok po ako. Nagkataon lang po na maraming customer lalo pa't mga lalaki 'yong tumugtog kaya po ako busy."

"Talaga lang, ha? Baka naman kasi busy'ng busy ka sa paglalandi roon sa mga lalaki kaya ayaw mo mag-paistorbo? Kunwari ay nag-aasikaso ng customers, iyon naman pala, ang mga tumutugtog mismo ang inaasikaso. Hah!"