A Silent Serenade

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Slowly breaking

Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising kahit na matagal akong natulog kagabi. Medyo pagod akong gumising pero pinilit kong bumangon dahil pupunta ako sa bahay nila Almira mamayang alas dose para sa hair and make-up ko na sagot na ni Almira.

Pagkatapos kong maligo at magbihis ay dumiretso na ako sa kitchen para magluto. Hindi ko na nadatnan ni Simon, isang post-it na nasa ref nalang ang nakita ko.

I left early cause I need to go to our house to prepare and everything. I know you also need to go to Almira's so take care. I'll see you in church.
- Simon

Did he even eat first before leaving? I looked at the sink and saw no traces of used plates there at tuyo ito kaya malamang ay hindi s'ya kumain. I brushed the thought off my mind and started working in the kitchen. Liliban muna ako sa trabaho ko ngayon at wala rin naman akong klase o pasok sa kompanya dahil weekends. Mabuti nalang at klaro ang schedule ko ngayon.

As soon as I finished eating, I packed what I needed to bring to Almira's house. Ang damit na susuotin ko ay nasa box na rin. Sabi ni Almira ay doon na raw ako magbihis at magkasama nalang kaming pupuntang simbahan. Alas dies y'media nang umalis ako sa bahay. Medyo malayo-layo ang kanila Almira kaya napa-aga ang pag-alis ko.

Pagdating ko sa bahay nila ay aligaga ang lahat, as soon as I entered nakita ko si Tita Sammy at Tito Raymond.

"Emmy! You're here, welcome welcome my dear." Tita Sammy and Tito Raymond hugged me. It's been a long time since I last saw them. They're always out-of-town according to Almira. I guess it's because of business. They're very nice to me, ever since my parents died sila na ang tumayong magulang saakin.

"Good morning po," bati ko sa kanila.

"Almira is already upstairs, naghahanda na rin. Why don't you go there already? It's almost lunch, you should eat too." Tito Raymond said. "Manang Felisa! Maghanda ka para kay Emmy," tawag n'ya sa isang kasambahay nila.

"Salamat po tito, tita."

"Nako, wala iyon! Ikaw pa." She pinched my cheek like I'm a child. "Sige, pumasok ka na roon at kami naman ay may pupuntahan pa. See you later, dear." Tita Sammy opened their car. Pumasok na rin sila doon. I waved them goodbye as they drove away.

Manang Felisa lead me to the dining area kung saan may nakahanda ng mga pagkain. Dumating naman si Almira, naka-robe pa na s'ya at naka rollers na ang buhok.

"Emmy! You're finally here, sa wakas." She hugged me and took my belongings. Pinahatid n'ya iyon sa kwarto n'ya. This is also an important day for her pero mukhang matamlay s'ya at wala sa sarili. She's quite out of character today.

"Kumain muna tayo." We sat down and she sighed as she did. Hindi ko naman napigilan at tinanong ko na s'ya.

"May problema ka ba?" Tanong ko.

She seemed like she snapped out of it and just shook her head. "Wala, wala, naiistress lang ako sa mga bagay-bagay." She sighed. I know it when Almira has something in her mind. Para saan pa at halos walong taon na kaming magkaibigan.

"Alam kong meron, kaya sabihin mo na." I said with finality. If I cannot solve her concerns then I might as well listen.

She sighed, "Fine. Did Simon tell you about someone named Remi? She's...his cousin, I think." I was taken aback. But I nodded since it's true that I know her. I met her actually. And the fact that she's a part of Almira's concern intrigues me.

"I met her yesterday...." Her jaw dropped. She grabbed my hand and held it near her.

"I-Is she pretty? Is she...uhm--- is she as sophisticated as me, is she as nice as me, is she as gentle as me? Is she better than me, but...is she pretty? Rate from 1 to 10, 1 as the lowest and 10 as the highest." I can almost hear her begging. It's like her insecurity just jumped out at me. Sa sobrang bilis n'yang nagsalita, I don't think I can even answer all of her questions. I just sighed as she waited for my answer. I caressed her cheek. I can see how she's threatened by Remi. But my question is why? Why is she threathened by her?