HIDEOUS

CHAPTER 3

After breakfast in the garden, pumunta si Sieraj sa kwarto niya. She went inside her room and hurriedly lay down on bed. I didn't know breakfast would be this exhausting. I'm not used to have so energetic people around me. I still have to unpacked and arranged my things.

Sieraj was deep in her thoughts when someone knocked on the door. "Sieraj, it's me Enzo."

"Come in." Sieraj didn't bother opening the door and just remain on the bed.

Enzo opened the door and frowns when he saw Sieraj lying down on the bed and staring at nothing. "You shouldn't lay down immediately Sie. Kakatapos mo lang kumain."

"Is there anything I can do? I actually don't feel like reading something right now." Bumangon si Sieraj sa kama at umupo.

"Our cousins prepared something. Come on. We should go downstairs now." Lumabas si Enzo sa kwarto habang napipilitan namang sumunod si Sieraj sa kanya.

•~•~•~•~•

"Alright. Since kompleto naman tayo at first time din ni Sieraj dito ipasyal natin siya. At alam ko naman na gutom pa kayo kaya libre ko na. Mga kuripot kasi kayo kaya pagdating sa libre syempre uubusin niyo pera ko. Mga walang hiya kasi kayo. 'Di man lang kayo naawa sa'kin." Napatawa sila sa sinabi ni Kael sa kanila.

"Hindi kami ang makaka-ubos ng pera mo Kael. Sina Airo at Sieraj ang makaka-ubos niyan." Sabi naman ni Akihito na umani ng reklamo kay Airo.

"Kasalanan ko ba na tumulad si Sieraj sa'kin?"

"Kuya kasalanan natin kasi binibigyan natin ng pagkain si Sieraj. Ang payat-payat niya no'ng bata pa siya."

"Oh ngayon? Syempre payat pa rin." Sinuntok ni Sieraj si Airo na nasa likod at kakababa lang.

"I am not thin. This is what they called slim."

"Aray naman Sie. Nanununtok ka na ah. Kakasama mo 'yan sa kambal."

"Bakit naman kami nadamay ni Ryouji? Nananahimik lang kami dito."

Sumabat naman si Akihito at baka magsuntokan ang mga kapatid niya. "Alright. That's enough. Mga sakit talaga kayo sa ulo."

Tumawa naman ang mga pinsan nila. "As we planned earlier, ipasyal natin si Sieraj. I don't care if saang lupalop ng lugar niyo naisipan na mamasyal as long as it's a safe place." Nabaling ang atensiyon nila kay Kael noong sinabi niya ang salitang 'safe'.

"Kuya alam mo naman na wala sa bokabularyo namin ang 'safe'." Sabat naman ni Elyse.

Sieraj raised her hand to say something. "Ahh. Okay lang ako as long as it's not that crowded. Aunt Akira and uncle Alfonzo included it on the rules."

"Rules? What rules?" Si Akihito na ang sumagot sa tanong ni Maxx.

"There's this rule that mom and dad made when we're going out. It's for our own safety. First rule is, don't talk to strangers. Second rule is, don't go to crowded places. Third rule is, always stick together. And the last rule is, quickly contact each other when separated or if there's emergency."

"Oh. Then we can also apply that rule when we're going out. " Sumang-ayon naman sila sa sinabi ni Yuriel.

"Kuya there's actually three guards that aunt Akira dispatched and followed us secretly."

"Oh that's okay. Plano ko rin naman 'yan. Dadamihan ko nalang since tayo namang lahat."

"Oh. Sila? I heard they're ready for the position." Tumango si Kael kay Yuriel.

"Alright. Let's head out now. But if you want to change your clothes for 'OOTD' well wait outside."

"Nagpaparinig ka ba Xaf?"

"Oyy wala nga akong sinabi kung sino. Pero kung 'yan ang iniisip mo sige. Oo nagpaparinig ako."

"Haa. Ang bait-bait mo kapag nagkaharap kayo ni Sofie pero ang buwesit mo naman kapag kami kaharap mo. Hali ka dito at lalagyan kita ng pasa diyan sa mukha mo. Aga-aga nambubuwesit ka na naman."

"Okay Sie. That's our cue. Let's get out of here. Napaka-bayolente naman ng mga tao dito."

Savi gently pushed Sieraj towards the door. Sumunod naman ang iba nilang pinsan sa kanila sa labas.

"Hah. Kaya ayokong nasa iisang lugar tayo eh. Sumasakit ulo ko sa inyo."

"I get what you're feeling Kael. Palaging may gyera sa amin kapag nagkaharap ang kambal at si Airo."

"Good thing walang nag-aaway sa mga kapatid ko."

"Same here. Palaging tahimik sa bahay namin."

"Nakaka-inggit naman kayong dalawa."

"Umiiyak kasi si mommy kapag may nag-aaway sa'min."

"Ayaw kasi ni aunt Karalynn ng gulo. Pati na din si aunt Samantha."

"Hah. Lumabas nalang tayo. Ayokong awatin 'yang dalawang 'yan. Palagi naman silang away-bati kaya lumabas na tayo."

Lumabas ang apat habang si Xaf at Elyse ay inaawat ng iba nilang pinsan.

•~•~•~•~•

"Pwede magtanong Sie?" Napatingin si Sieraj kay Savi na nakahilig sa kotse.

"What is it?"

"Ano kasi. I wonder if you can speak Tagalog? I mean, you're always chatting with us in English."

"Oh. Nasanay lang. I sometimes speak with the maids in English because all the maids are Japanese. Aunt Akira don't want to accept Filipino maids in the house."

"Oh. That's why. Then, can you speak Tagalog here? You can speak both language, Tagalog and English."

"I'll try."

"We're not pressuring you, okay? Either way you're only staying here for three days. We want you to enjoy your stay here and make some memorable memories with us."

"What are you two talking so seriously?" Napalingon ang dalawa kay Wolfie na nakapamulsang naglalakad papalapit sa kanila.

"Wala naman. Bakit may nasagap ka ba na chismis? Share mo, 'wag kang madamot."

Binatukan ni Wolfie si Savi. "Gago ka talaga. Baka ikaw ang may nasagap na chismis. Eh ikaw lang naman ang chismoso sa atin."

"Chismoso si kuya Savi?" Gulat na nakatingin si Sieraj kay Savi na sinipa si Wolfie.

"Yup. Isang dakilang chismoso 'tong kapatid ko. Kaya 'wag kang magulat kung alam niya lahat."

"Umalis ka nga kuya. Sinisira mo naman 'yong imahe ko kay Sieraj eh."

"What? Totoo naman ah?"

"Pasok na sa kotse. 'Wag na nating isama si Elyse at Xaf. Nag-aaway na naman." Lumingon ang lahat kay Yuriel na kakalabas lang sa bahay kasama sina Adí, Kael, at Akihito.

"Again? Kakabati lang niyan kahapon. Aba napapadalas na yata ang away nila." Uno said while looking at the front door.

"Pasok na. Bahala sila."

Pumasok naman ang iba samantalang si Sieraj ay lumapit kay Akihito. She tugged her cousin's shirt. "Kuya Aki. Where's kuya Akita?"

"Huh? Hindi pa siya lumabas?" Sieraj shakes her head. "Wait here. Baka nasa loob pa."

"Oh? 'Di ka pa sasakay Sie?" Sieraj looked at her brother and shakes her head.

"I'm waiting for kuya Akita. I forgot to get my cellphone back."

"You can wait inside my car." Binuksan ni Kael ang passenger seat ng kotse. Pumasok si Sieraj at nag-antay kay Akita sa loob. Silence filled inside them that's why Kael asked her a question.

"Bakit nga pala hindi sumama sina aunt Akira at uncle Alfonzo?"

"I'm not sure but I think they're going on a vacation. Sabi kasi ni uncle na 'they're out of the country' so I assume they're going on a vacation."

"Oh? Is that so?" Sieraj nodded and looked outside.

"By the way kuya, I haven't seen.. uhm.. you're-I mean our dad." Ugh. It's so awkward.

"Oh that's right. You haven't seen dad today. He's actually on a business trip right now. I think he'll be back tonight? I'm not quite sure about his schedule."

"Is he a busy man? I mean, palagi ba siyang umaalis?"

Kael chuckled. "Even if he's busy, he'll make time for us, especially to mom."

"Kuya I want to know something."

"What is it?"

"Why didn't you come and rescue me?" Sieraj looked up and stared at her brother. She's been wondering all this time.

Kael averted his eyes and stared at the front door. "There's a little problem at the company that day. Dad really want to go, actually. Pero hindi siya makaalis kasi may problema sa company. He called and ordered someone to go to you."

"What happened to that someone?"

"He died. Someone killed him on the way to grandma's house."

Sieraj became silent. She's holding back her tears. "I..... I waited for someone, anyone of you to come and help us. I waited and waited. But...."

Kael remained silent as she listened to her sister's painful cry. From afar, Maxx seemed to sense something is wrong as he was looking to his brother's back so he walked straight to the car and found out that her sister is crying. He looked at his brother. Kael shake his head.

"Sie!! Nandito na si Akita." Lumingon si Maxx at Kael kay Akihito na sumigaw kay Seiraj. Akihito frowned seeing his cousins face.

'What happened?', he mouthed.

Maxx make a crying face. Akihito rushed over. "Sie? Sie? Look at me. Calm down." He hugged his cousin and tried to comfort her. Akita rushed towards them. One by one of all them are rushing towards Kael's car. No one spoke. They just stayed silent while listening to Sieraj's painful cry. "What happened Sie? Huh? Why are you crying?" Sieraj shook her head, refusing to talk. Akihito just sighed and tried to calm her down.

After a few minutes, Sieraj has finally calmed down. She hang her head low, not wanting to meet her cousins gaze. Silence filled them as she remain unmoving.

"Sie-"

Sieraj shake her head, making Airo stop on what he's about to say. She didn't want to talk, not right now.

"Why don't we go now? Kanina pa tayo nandito. 'Yong tiyan ko gusto ng kumain." Amidst the awkward and tense atmosphere, Airo tried to lighten it up. "My stomach is actually begging now."

"What kind of a f*****g stomach do you have? Palagi ka nalang gutom."

"Maxx. Language." Napalingon si Maxx kay Kael. 'Yong iba pwedeng magmura pero ako hindi. Anak ng. Nang-ga-gago yata 'tong si Kuya Kael.

"Airo's right. We've been here for too long. Let's go."

•~•~•~•~•

"Umusog ka nga do'n kuya Savi. Jusko naman. Ba't ka pa kasi sumingit dito? Alam mo naman na wala ng space dito eh. Gago ka talaga. Alis nga."

Hindi pinansin ni Savi ang mga reklamo ni Harvey sa kanya. Umayos pa siya ng upo na lalong nagpa-inis sa bunso niyang kapatid.

Umiling naman si Yuriel sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi ko sana sinabi na walang nag-aaway sa aming magkakapatid. Mga pasaway talaga.

•~•~•~•~•

This place is beautiful. Seeing this place reminds me of MamaLa's garden. So colorful. Sieraj wandered her eyes around the park they were at. It doesn't look like a park to me.

"How's the place Sie? Wala kaming maisip na lugar kaya dito na lang namin naisipan na pumunta." Lumingon si Sieraj kay Maxx na tumabi sa kanya.

"I like it. It's like I'm in MamaLa's garden," Sieraj said and smiled. "Speaking of, I wonder if the garden's been taken cared of. It's been 12 years."

"Sabi ni Mama sa'kin sa tabi daw ng dagat ang location ng bahay ni Grandma at Grandpa. Totoo?"

"Yep. If I still have time I want to go and visit the house. I actually plan on going and to check if the house needs a repair."

Tumitig si Maxx sa kanya. "Then why don't you go and visit the house? Tatlong araw lang kayo dito sa Pilipinas kaya sulitin mo na."

"Hmm. I'll tell Kuya Aki later. For now, I want to try the foods they sell here. There are lots of street foods here. Your treat Kuya Maxx."

Maxx chuckled at her. "Nope. Wala akong dalang pera. Manghingi nalang tayo ng pera ni Kuya Kael. Sabi niya naman na treat niya. Ubusin nalang natin pera niya."

"Alright let's do that. Hahahahaha."

•~•~•~•~•

"Checking the area. No suspicious person found."

"Good. Keep an eye on the surroundings everyone."

"Yes sir."

•~•~•~•~•

"Isaw 'to Kuya Maxx?"

Lumingon si Maxx kay Sieraj na ngumunguya ng kwek-kwek habang nakaturo sa isaw. "Oo. Gusto mo? Kuha ka lang. Plano nating ubusin ang pera ni Kuya Kael ngayon."

"Just a bite." Kumuha siya ng isang stick ng isaw at kumain. "Oh. This is delicious."

"Wala namang hindi masarap na pagkain dito. Mabuti nga at walang katao-tao dito ngayon. Minsan kasi ang daming tao dito."

"How about at night? I'm sure there will be a lot of people here."

"Yep. Maganda din dito sa gabi. A perfect spot for couples to date."

Sumang-ayon si Sieraj kay Maxx. The place is a perfect spot for couples.

"Ngayon lang kayo nagkita pero ang close niyo na."

Lumingon silang dalawa sa nagsalita. It was Airo holding a bottled water.

"That's because we're siblings. Natural lang na close kami agad." Maxx proudly said.

Airo snorted. "How about the two? Ikaw lang ang palaging nakadikit kay Sie. Tsaka bakit ba parang by pair 'yong pamamasyal natin dito? Ako lang ba ang hindi na-inform? Ako lang kasi ang walang partner sa atin eh."

Tumingin sila sa paligid at napagtanto nilang tama ang sinabi ni Airo. "You should have brought your girlfriend with you Kuya Airo. Ate Kaori won't mind."

"Oh come on Sie. Kaori is not my girlfriend. You hear me? May iba 'yong gusto. I'm just her friend."

"Really? But-nevermind. You can join us if you feel lonely. Right, Kuya?"

Maxx just hummed and resumed eating. Airo didn't have a choice but to tagged along with the two since he is the only one who doesn't have a 'partner'.

"Stay tayo dito hanggang gabi. I heard na may fireworks dito tuwing gabi. It would be a shame not to stay here and watch it with everyone." Airo said while joining the two.

"Tama nga pala. Nakalimutan kong sabihin 'yon. How did you know Kuya Zy?"

Airo looked at Maxx. "I heard Kuya Aki and Kuya Kael talking about it earlier. They planned on staying here until 10. I don't know if the others know about it."

"Then that means we're eating dinner here right? Isn't it cold here at night? I forgot to bring my jacket." sumingit si Sieraj sa usapan ng dalawa.

"Hindi naman masyadong malamig dito. Pero magsabi ka lang. May binebenta naman siguro silang jacket dito."

"Where's your phone Sie? Picture tayo," ibinigay ni Sieraj ang cellphone niya kay Airo. He opened the camera. "Usog ka ng konti Maxx. Alright. 1, 2, 3, cheese." Sieraj smiled at the camera, Maxx smiled and formed a heart both his hand, and Airo sticked out his tongue while closing his left eye.

"The pictures good. Keep the picture Sie. Ang hilig mo pa naman mag delete ng picture diyan. Your gallery's full of books."

Sieraj looked at the picture. She didn't felt this happy after her grandparents death. It's just a picture but it feels special to her. A picture is another way of keeping memories with your loved ones. She added it to 'favorites'. She closed her phone and talked with her cousin and her brother. She should create memories with her cousins and siblings starting today. No one knows what will happen in the near future.

•~llthea~•