Warming the Ice Queen's Tears

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

 

“T—that’s her?” Vernice asked with doubt.

Kahit sino naman kasi madududa kung makikita nila sa unang pagkakataon si Alonna. Well, I already told her about how her face became different inside the car. Wala siyang ginawa kung hindi ang makinig lang sa’kin. She asked one question about how her face became different then after, she started to cry.

I only said that meeting her would be one way to comfort her and she was then eager to meet her.

“Yes.” I said while looking at Alonna who’s currently sitting on the bench in our garden. “I told you the whole story. Do you want to go talk to her?”

Tumango tango siya habang pinupunasan ang ilang luha sa kanyang mga pisngi.

“Let’s go.” I placed my hand on her back and guided her to Alonna.

Bago pa man kami makalapit ay iniwan ko muna si Vernice at ako muna ang lumapit kay Alonna.

“Alonna.” Tawag ko at agad siyang tumayo nang nakangiti.

“Kuya.” Excited niyang sabi at tumakbo siya papalapit sakin bago ako bigyan ng mahigpit na yakap. She looked up to me and released a sweet smile. “Na-miss kita, kuya.”

“Me t—too.” I said while unwrapping her arms around me. Masyado kasing nakadiin ang sarili niya sakin. Imagine how awkward you feel when your sister’s breast was pressed against you. Medyo nakakailang. “I got a surprise for you.”

Tumingin ako kay Vernice at sinensyasan na lumapit. Alonna was just staring at her confused. Hindi naman iniwas ni Vernice ang naluluha niyang paningin kay Alonna habang lumalapit siya. I slightly pushed Alonna to Vernice. Hindi na napigilan ni Vernice ang sarili at mahigpit na niyakap si Alonna.

“Alonna, it’s me. V—vernice.” She said between sobs.

“V—Vernice?” tumango tango si Vernice habang nakayakap parin. Nawala ang pagkalito ni Alonna at niyakap din ng mahigpit ang kaibigan. I saw her smile and I had the need to leave them alone.

“I’ll let you guys alone.” Iniwan ko sila sa ganong posisyon at hinanap si Auntie.

Matapos kong kausapin si Auntie Therese at Uncle Ben ay pumunta ako sa kwarto ko. Naligo at nag-ayos na muna ako bago ko maisipang bumaba para kumain. Pagbaba ko sa hagdan ay nakita ko pa si Vernice na papalabas.

I called her but it’s like she didn’t hear me. She got that serious look on her face at parang malalim ang iniisip dahil nakatulala siya habang naglalakad. Nagmadali akong pumunta sa kanya at hinawakan siya sa braso.

“Vernice, are you going home?” nagulat siya sa ginawa ko at napasinghap pa. Anong nangyari sa kanya.

“A—ah, yes. I need to go.” Nagmamadali niyang sabi pero pinigilan ko ulit siya.

“You don’t have a car. Let me drive you home.” Alok ko pero umiling iling lang siya. Hindi ko talaga maalis sa isip ko kung bakit ganito ang inaasal niya.

“No!” sabi niya. “I’ll just go get a cab.”

“Did something happen? You two got along, right?” I asked concern. Hindi siya sumagot at nag-iwas ng tingin na nagpakunot ng noo ko. Tumingi muna siya saglit sakit at mukang may gusto siyang sabihin.

“It’s about her.” She whispered.

“Who? Alonna?” she gave me a slight nod. “What about her?” I asked eager to know what she’s about to say. She sighed first and started fidgeting and I could see that she’s really nervous.