Somewhere in the Avenue (Velez Cousins Series #1)

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Break

"D-Dad?"

"D-Dad?"

"D-Dad?"

"D-Dad?"

Deonell's voice keeps on ringing in my ears. My cold hands were clasped to each other while staring blankly at the scenario in front of me. I sure look pale right now. I feel so lifeless. Walang kung anong klaseng emosyon ang naipakita ko simula pa kanina. Nakatitig lang ako sa dalawang tao sa harapan na kanina pa nag ngingitian sa isa't isa.

We are here in the Dining Hall with Mom's fiancée. After what happened in the living room, Mom decided to take us here for pleasantries. Kahit anong pilit ko na i-sink in ang lahat, hindi ko magawa. I was just learning how to accept everything yet here I am, back at the same struggle again. I can't feel any emotion. I feel so empty inside and I don't know what to feel.

Should I cry?

Should I throw a fit?

Should I walk out?

What should I do?

Should I stay silent?

Instead of processing everything, here I am, thinking on how to react. Because honestly, I wish this isn't true. I wish I heard it the wrong way. I wish this is just a fragment of my imagination. I wish it didn't happened. Pumikit ako ng mariin at huminga ng malalim. I bit my lower lip to stop it from trembling.

"Arthur, this is my daughter, Einra." I heard Mom's voice.

Do I really have to face and hear everything from there mouths?

I gritted my teeth before I opened my eyes. From my peripheral vision, I can clearly see Deonell staring at me. He is seated beside me at pareho naming kaharap ang...magulang...namin. Unlike me, he reacted differently. Mukha siyang kabado sa scenario kanina, unlike me na halos hindi na makagalaw.

Many thoughts are rummaging in my mind again, hypotheses waiting to be proven, gut feelings which seems to be true and frustrations waiting to come out from my mouth. But I remained silent. All I did was to hide my clenched fist behind my back as I stared at Arthur who was smiling in a friendly way at me.

"Hello, Einra. It's nice to finally meet you." he said with a warm smile.

I gritted my teeth tightly. I wasn't able to answer him. I have no plans in doing so. The feeling isn't mutual. He must've noticed the awkward silence kaya tumawa siya ng bahagya to ease the atmosphere. Pero kahit na ganoon ang nangyari, he still managed to smile at me. He looks so friendly that it irks me.

"Nuelle," he glanced at my Mom who was beside him bago tumingin ulit sa'kin, "Einra. This is Deonell, my son."

Natulala na naman ako doon. My lips parted a fraction before I shut my eyes tight. That's it. That's the fact that I couldn't accept. It won't sink in. I know his parents are separated but out of all people, why his Dad? Bakit ang mismong ama niya pa? Pwede namang iba, diba? Bakit siya pa?

I simply just couldn't accept it. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong sabihin. I wanted to cry but I have no tears to exert. I feel so empty that I can't even feel any hint of anger. I wanted to express my opposition about this matter but everything is just...empty, void.

"Einra, I believe you already knew my son. I heard he's been a good friend of yours." Arthur chuckled.

I just stared at him blankly.

Mom laughed. "Of course, Arthur! My daughter is close to my sister's nephews. For sure they are good friends. They're going to be siblings soon!"

What. The. Hell.