Laila came to Cebu on a Thursday.
She did not call ahead. She did not text. She simply arrived at Rosie's gate on a Thursday afternoon when I was at work and Rosie was in the garden and the street was doing its ordinary things.
Rosie came to get me at Estrella Co.
Not in person. She called, which she had never done before. She said: "Your sister is at the gate. I have not let her in. I am telling you because you should decide."
I sat at my desk for a moment.
Diego looked up.
"Laila," I said. "She is at Rosie's gate."
He looked at me steadily.
"Do you want me to come?" he said.
"No," I said. "I need to do this alone."
"Okay," he said.
I packed my bag. I told Chari I was leaving early for a personal matter. Chari said: "Go," in the tone that meant she expected no further explanati
