KEEPING UP WITH HER CHEERFULNESS

CHAPTER 19 " Dangerous"

[PHONE VIBRATE]

I immediately reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.. An unknown number was calling out of nowhere..

"Who is that?.." Clayden asked me

"I don't know.. It's an unknown number.." I replied, then looked at him

"You should probably answer it so we can find out.." he said..

Walang pag dadalawang isip ay sinagut korin ito agad..

"Hello?.. sino to?."

Tanong ko sa kabilang linya..

"You!.. You're really making me mad, woman!.. Hah!.. But if you think you can stop my plans?.. Well, you're wrong!..

Because of what you did!.. Someone's going to die early now.."

"B... Bianca?..

You monster!.. subukan mo lang Bianca!.. Ipapangako kong pag babayarin kita!.."

Sigaw ko Ritu..

Tumawa lang ito at pinatay Ang tawag..

Bigla akong Hindi mapakali..

S..si Clara?..

NO!..

"Kailangan nating sunduin si Clara, Clayd!.."

nag papanick kong Sabi sa kanya..

Wala kasi ditu si Clara.. umuwi muna to sa sariling Bahay Niya at kumuha ng mga gamit roon..

"Bianca's planning something bad, Clayd!.. We need to go find Clara!.. She must be in danger right now!.."

"Calm down, okay?.. Bianca doesn't even know Clara.." - Clayden

"Still!.. may kutob parin Ako!.. kailangan natin siyang puntahan.."

"But what about your dad?.. We can't leave your dad alone here.. That's not possible.. I think it's better if I'm the one to pick up Clara.. And you you stay here.. You'll stay with your dad.."

Anito habang naka hawak sa balikat ko..

HE'S RIGHT..

HINDI KO RIN PWEDING IWAN SI PAPA NG MAG ISA..

Tumango-tango Ako sa sinabi Niya senyales ng pag payag..

"Mag ingat kayu!.."

Sigaw ko,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ F O. R. W. A. R. D

CLARA'S POV.

"Hmm?.. What should I wear?.. This one?.. Or.. this one?.." I asked myself, holding the two dresses I was choosing between..

I looked at my phone when it suddenly vibrated..

"It's Kuya?.. Why is he calling me?.."

Tanong ko sa Sarili..

I immediately grabbed it and answered his call..

"What is it kuya?.. is there's a problem?.." I ask..

"Yess!.. cause your ate Zhy is so worried about you!.. I'm on my way there right now to pick you up!.. Do NOT go out at all until I get there..okay?.."

I furrowed my brow at what he said..

"Why?.." I asked, confused..

"Don't ask so many questions, Clara.. This is for your own good.."

he told me..

Ibinaba konalang ito ng patayin Niya na Ang tawag..

Kailangan kopang mag ready..

~ ~ ~ ~

"Kuya is so tagal!.." I said, na naiirita..

"Where is he now?.. kanina lang Siya tumawag sakin ehh.. Sabi Niya papunta nasiya?.. so..

"He should have been here by now!.."

And because I'm so stubborn..

I went out of the house and headed to the gate.. It was already 09:58.. Kuya still wasn't there..

I looked around..

I wasn't too scared yet..

There were street lights along the road anyway.. So.. I guess I'll just wait there..

~ ~ ~ ~

ZHYCARICH REIL POV.

Hindi Ako makahinga ng maayus.. subrang kinakabahan talaga Ako.. feeling ko.. feeling ko may mali talaga ehh!..

I tried calling Clayden several times.. But he wasn't answering..

That's why I'm getting more worried!..

And Clara?.. I can't get in touch with her either..

Where could they be?..

Hindi ko maiwasang Hindi mapatingin sa orasan.. it's 10:39 pm?..

Kinakabahan na talaga Ako!..

Nakatulog na si papa..

Naisipan Kona munang Iwan ito sa Kwarto, at bumaba na muna para uminom ng tubig sa kusina..

para Naman.. ma bawas bawasan ng kunti tong kaba na nararamdaman ko..

~ ~ ~

[PHONE VIBRATE]

Agad kong kinuha sa bulsa Ang cellphone ko

"This unknown number again!.."

At dahil sa kutob ko.. sinagut ko ito ng walang pag dadalawang isip..

"Bianca!.. "

"Hi! ate!.. you miss me?.. kala ko di moko sasagutin.." Sagut sa kabilang linya.

I KNEW IT!..

SI BIANCA NANAMAN!..

"Stop calling me ate!.. Hindi kita Kapatid!.."

Sigaw ko Ritu, na ikina tawa Niya pa..

"Hahaha!.. so you know now?.. sayang Akala kopa Naman mag papakatanga kalang lagi..

Btw!.. how's that matanda?.. pinakain mo ba?."

"Shut up! Bianca!.. Ang kapal ng mukha mo!..

How dare you have the audacity to ask me such a thing!!.. You're the one poisoning him!.

You will pay for this! I swear, Bianca!."

Sigaw ko Ritu..

"Well.. looks like..

You didn't heard the news yet?..Hah!.. The authorities are already searching for you.."

I FROZE UP IMMEDIATELY AT WHAT SHE SAID..

"Can't you even find the words to respond?..

Hah... haha!.. All I did was claim you abducted that old man!.. I fabricated evidence to make it seem you took him hostage to force him into signing over the company to your name!... There are scores of people hunting for you at this very moment.. and mark my words..

the moment they lay eyes on you?.. they'll pelt you without mercy.. hahahaha!.."

"You demon!.."

Naiyukom ko Ang mga kamay ko sa Galit, dahil sa sinabi nito..

HE'S TWISTING PEOPLE'S MINDS AGAIN!

"Ipapakulong kita Bianca!.. ibubulok kita sa kulungan!.." Sigaw ko Ritu.. pero tumawa lang Siya..

"Hahaha!.. Hindi pa Ako tapos..

may ipapa kita pa Ako sayu..

Get ready..."

Nanginig Ako Bigla..

A..ano nanaman kaya?..

Tinawagan Ako nito ulit sa Video call..

Nanginginig kong pinindut ito..

Parang may mali..

[CLICK]

"Tadaahh!... how's my gift?.. do you like it?.."

Napa luhod Ako sa sahig..

Habang nanginginig na nakatingin sa babaeng walang Malay at duguang naka giha sa lupa..

"M...Manang Matilda?.."

HINDI!..

IT CAN'T BE!...

Napahagulhul nalang Ako ng mapagtantong Tama nga Ang hinala ko!..

Si m.. Manang Matilda nga!..

"Hayop ka Bianca!...

Wala Kang kasing sama!.."

"Hindi sana to Mang yayari.. kung Hindi moko inunahan sa mga Plano ko..

This very second!.. I need you to understand loud and clear.. the next time you dare to thwart my plans, to steal my chance before I can act?.. pray that it's only another stranger's life that pays the price..

So try crossing me again, Zhycarich Reil.. and I will hunt down every single thing you hold dear in this world, every person, every dream, every shred of meaning you have left!.. hahahaha..."

Her voice was low and sharp as a blade, each word heavy with menace.. then a booming, chilling laugh echoed through the line before the call cut off abruptly...

At heto Ako...

walang magawa kundi Ang Humahagulhul nalang..

"Sorry... Manang Matilda... I'm sorry..."

Bulong ko..

WALA MAN LANG AKONG NAGAWA..

Hindi Ako papayag na may Buhay nanamang mawawala!.. Subukan mo lang Kunin sakin Ang mga mahal ko sa Buhay Bianca!.. at Ako mismo Ang papatay sayu!..

I swear it!....

~

"ate Zhy?.. Anong nangyari sayu?.."

Nilingon ko agad ito..

"Clara!.. "

Sigaw ko at niyakap Siya ng mahigpit..

"Ate Zhy?.. why are you crying?..."

Nag-aalalang Tanong nito sakin..

"Akala ko may gagawing masama si Bianca sayu.. Akala ko kinuha ka Niya.. "

I sobbed, while still holding her tightly in my arms...

HINDI KO ALAM ANG GAGAWIN KO.. KONG PATI SILA.. IDADAMAY NI BIANCA..

"Are you okay, Zhy Reil?.. Why are you crying?.."

A voice cut in from behind us..

Hindi ko mapigilan Ang mga paa kong tumakbo papalapit at yakapin Siya..

"It's Bianca...

s..she killed Manang Matilda.."

Sumbong ko sa kanya..

He didn't utter a single sound, not even a whisper to break the heavy silence that wrapped around us...

But slowly, gently, he drew me close and held me tight against his chest, his arms warm and steady around me as if trying to shield me from every ounce of pain I was carrying...

"Let it all out, Zhy Reil..

Even the deepest sorrows lose their sharp edge with time, this heavy ache in your heart will soften and fade, little by little.." - Clayden

Sa sinabi nito.. mas bumuhos Ang mga luha ko..

~ ~ ~ ~ F. O. R. W. A. R. D

CLARA'S POV..

Ate Zhy is going through so much pain right now..

PERO ALAM NAMIN NI KUYA..

NA KAKAYANIN NIYA TO..

"What?.. Ate Zhy, what you're planning to do is dangerous!.. What if she kills you too, just like she did to Manang Matilda?.."

I said, my voice trembling with worry as I gripped her arm lightly, my eyes wide with fear and desperation...

She’s determined to meet Bianca and talk to her face to face..

That’s why we’re so consumed with worry for her. That poor maid was completely innocent, yet Bianca took her life without a shred of mercy... What if she does the same to Ate Zhy?

What if Ate Zhy says something that sets her off, or if those accomplices of hers decide to act first? We can’t bear the thought of losing her too...

My voice cracks at the end, the weight of the "what ifs" pressing down so hard I can barely stand it.

Kuya stands quiet beside me, but I can see the fear etched deep in his eyes.. we both know how unpredictable Bianca has become, and how fragile life feels now that she’s shown she’ll kill without reason...

"If you’re really set on this, if nothing we say can change your mind..

Then we’re coming with you.."

Napatingin Ako Kay kuya, nang Sabihin Niya iyun..

"Your fight is our fight too.."

kuya said..