Latecomer

Chapter 10

Erick Villan

I remembered how she showed that I am his favourite person. And I also witnessed how she slowly turned into an emotionless person.

Losing her is like losing my purpose on living. She's very special to me. I will do everything to protect her even if it means losing her trust on me.

Flashback (3 years ago)

“Cheers!” I heard my parents, tito Ryan, and tita Estella cheerfully said it.

They are celebrating for unknown reason. Or I'm just the one who doesn't know the reason.

Nang pababa ako ng hagdanan, mas lalo kung narinig ang kanilang pinag-uusapan.

“Cheers for the successful plan!” my mother said and I heard the sound of glass that are being tossed.

Mahinang akong napailing. Their talking business again.

“I'm a little bit guilty,” tito Ryan said.

“What? Don't tell me, naawa ka sa kanilang dala–”

“Of course not, honey. It's just that, kadugo mo rin si Dianna–  kayo ni Fionna.”

I'm starting to get curious. Bakit nasali ang pangalan ni tita Dianna– Patricia's mother at ang pangalan ni mommy?

Kadugo? Of course. Magkadugo silang tatlo ni mommy, tita Estella, at tita Dianna. They're siblings. My mother– Fionna is the oldest, followed by tita Estella, and the youngest is tita Dianna.

“I don't care, Ryan. As long as mapasaamin ang lahat ng kayaman. 'Di ba, ate?” tita Estella spoke.

“Right. Kaya walang kang dapat ipangamba, Ryan,” mommy said.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad. Bakit parang kakaiba naman ang kanilang pinag-uusapan?

“These ladies are correct, Ryan. Malinis ang pagkagawa ng ating mga tauhan. Ngayong patay na si Dianna at si Jacob, nasa atin na lahat ng kayaman na ipinaman ni papa sa kanila,”

Kaagad akong napalabas sa aking pinagtataguan nang marinig ang 'di kaaya-kaayang naririnig ko.

“What are you talking, guys? Anong patay na si tita Dianna?” kinakabahan kong tanong. Para akong binuhusan ng napakalamig na tubig. Hindi maaari.

“Erick! What the heck are you doing here?” pagalit na tanong ni daddy. Gulat at pangamba ang gumuguhit sa kanilang mga mukha.

Napatayo na rin sina tito at tita pati si mommy.

“Answer my d*mn question!” matigas kong sabi.

“Go back to your room, Erick!” si mommy.

“For Pete's sake! Hindi na ako bata para utusan n'yo ng ganiyan, mom. I'm not a child anymore. I need to know the truth too! Anong ibig n'yong sabihin sa mga sinasabi n'yo kanina?”

“I said, go back to your room!”

“No! Anong ginawa niyo kina tita?”