Edge of Never

23

I was astounded to even say a word. I don't know what should I believe. Limang taon akong nawala sa bansa and I don't know what's going on anymore. Maraming bagay ang bumabagabag sa aking isipan. A part of me is fortunate with the thought that Travis' is not the father of Summer's baby but at the same time, I feel pain and sadness for Summer's part, what if totoo ang sinasabi ni Kuya Cole, Ysa would be abandon and I don't want that to happen.

That would be so cruel of me if pinapangarap ko na sana hindi nalang ito ang ama ng anak ni Summer. I feel pity for Ysa, she's too young to experience this kind of family problem at isa pa na kasanayan na nito na ama nito si Travis.

"Earth to Chasey." Napabalik ako sa aking sistema dahil sa pagtusok ni Niah sa tagiliran ko.

"Kanina kapa dito?" Hindi ko kasi namalayan na nasa likod ko na pala ito. Nakangiti ito. Niah is now a grownup woman, mas tumangkad pa ito at naging maganda rin ang hubog ng katawan nito.

"Hindi, ngayon lang. You seem problematic." I can sense the worry in her voice. Huminga ako ng malalim at ngumiti. I try my best to look good and feel good in front of her. Knowing Niah, wala itong pinapalampas at madaldal ito baka ano pa masabi nito kay Summer o sa iba naming pinsan.

"I'm fine, how about you Niah? Kamusta na kayong dalawa ni Athena?" Napasimangot ito ng sinabi ko ang pangalan ni Athena. It's been years pero hindi pa rin nagkabati ang dalawa. They talk pero kapag nag babangayan lang sila.

I laughed when she rolled her eyes and pouted her lips. "Athena is a nagger, she always protect ate Summer at all cost." Huminga ito ng malalim na parang may iniisip. "I remembered Kuya Jax was talking to Nathan about Summer's baby na may possibility na hindi si Kuya T ang ama ni Ysa, Athena overheard it." Tumingin ito sa akin.

"And you know what happened next?" Halata ang iritasyon sa mukha nito.

"What happened?" I asked out of curiosity.

"She cried and cried saying 'why do you keep on insisting that kuya T's not the father of Ysa?" Napailing ako at natawa ng ginaya pa nito ang boses ni Athena. Ever since close na talaga si Summer at Athena and I don't give a fuck about it.

"Alam mo kong hindi ko lang talaga siya pinsan sasabunutan ko talaga yon ng todo-todo. Nakakairita ng boses eh." Halata ang galit sa hitsura nito habang kinikwento sa akin ang lahat.

We were interrupted when my phone vibrated inside my pocket. I excused myself to answer Chescka's call.

[ Yes, Ches?] hinilot ko ang aking sentido.

[ Sabi ni Travis mamayang gabi nalang daw kayo mag-usap para talagang walang makakaalam at makakakita]

[ Just text me the address, I'll be there]

[don't be late Charlotte! Baka mauna pa ko sa'yo ah]

[yeah, whatever]

I heaved a deep sigh before I ended the call. I don't know what will happen after this talk with Travis, I want to be out of this issue and to clear things with my family. I want to be enlightened by the truth pero si Summer lang ang makakasagot ng lahat ng katanungan. I should just ignore this pero may parte sa akin na gusto kong malaman ang lahat kahit wala na kami.

Naabutan ko ang mga pinsan ko sa sala. Ng makapasok ako ay lahat ng mata nila nakatuon sa akin. I looked at them confuse pero iniwas ko ang aking tingin kay Athena, dahil alam ko na masama ang tingin nito sa akin. Ysa is sitting on Nathan's lap at may hawak itong ice cream at panay naman ang punas ni Nathan sa bibig nito.