Within the Walls

Chapter 17

 I tiptoed to the staircase, second-guessing whether or not to wear my bakya before ultimately descending the stairs. The hushed thumping of my feet as my hand slid the wooden handrail, feeling its rough texture. Then, my feet hit the cold porcelain floor, shuddering with every step as I reached the doorway to the lawn.

 Recurring orange lights painted the grass like the setting sun, my feet included. Gazing onward, Aurelio sat cross-legged on the grass, near the shadow of the looming tree, throwing pebbles at its trunk. Suddenly, he stopped and stared at his clenched hands.

 “AHHHH!” He flung the pebble to the trunk of the tree, ricocheting to my direction.

 “Ow!” I winced, caressing my forehead and to see that it was bleeding.

 Aurelio turned to my direction, his eyes widened, mouth agape, rushing to my side. “I’m very very sorry.” He nabbed the handkerchief from his pockets. “Remove your hands.”

 I followed, and he pressed on my wound with the handkerchief. Hissing in pain, he apologized. Then proceeding to wrap the wound like a bandage. Scarlet seeping through the fabric, I looked up upon the bandage, even if it I can only see the bottom part. Trying to thank Aurelio, I brought my head down to face him, only to see him seated at the grass near the edge of the tree’s shadow. Brushing my hand at the cloth on my forehead, I took note of the great placement of the improvised bandage. He did it quickly as well, like he has done this before.

 I trudged through the grass to his side. He glanced up for a split second, then continued to eyed the tree. He hugged his knees and rested his chin to it. I sat beside him, my rear on my ankles as my clothed knees felt the grass. A comforting silence between us as we both looked at the tree, while the orange lights danced on our resting bodies.

 “My mother.” He broke the silence.

 “Hmm?” I turned my head to face him.

 “My mother used to play the piano.” He picked up a pebble and threw it to the tree.

 “Your father told me…”

 He sneered. “That sad excuse of a father?” He glared at me. “He didn’t even cry when mom was here, he just walked away.”

 So this is his side of the story, I noted. I wanted to say that his father wept as well, but, it felt like it wasn’t a great time. I heard sniffles from Aurelio but when I examined his face, no tears fell, and the sniffles start to get hushed.

 “Aurelio…”

 “There was a note the guards left behind.” He gazed on to the sky, as if trying to remember something.

 “They read it in front of the gossiping neighbors.” He added with a disgusted tone to his voice.

 But, his eyes only widened, lips pursed and looking down. There it is again, the melodic yet plaintive hum of the piano. I looked around to find the source, and heard it from above the house.

 “It–uh—said.” His voice breaking. My face cast a comforting look, tilting my head slightly as I rested my hands behind him. But, he inched away. A hurt expression present on his face.

 “It said, I was the reason for…” He tried his best not to cry, the break in his voice getting frequent but he continued to eye the tree with a straight face.

 “She said I was a burden,” he paused, “she said it was my fault.”

 My mouth agape. Even with the broken explanation, I can feel him hiding his pain. He sniffled, his breath getting sharper by the minute, and he swung his head around to try and stop the tears from flowing. I felt my tongue-tied. I don’t know what to say. I only looked at him with sad eyes and bounded lips.

 “It wasn’t your fault…” A hushed voice escaped from my lips.

 “There was a note for Christ’s sakes! Aren’t you listening!” He snapped, glaring at me, I got startled by the sudden raising of his voice. But, his face softened, looked back to the tree. “I’m sorry.”

 We stared onto the tree, being uncomfortable with the way I sat, I propped my hands as a stand to the back of my body. Aurelio did the same. Quickly glancing at him, our eyes meet for a split second, but we both looked away quickly. A heat rising to my cheeks and a quick exhale from my heart that stopped beating for a moment.

 “You remind me of my mother.” He blurted. “Your comforting gaze, warm presence.”

 I looked at him with an expectant expression, my mouth ajar. But, I turned to the tree once again, feeling someone staring at me but I don’t mind it. Suddenly, a lone finger brush on mine. I glanced, not turning my head to see it was Aurelio, still looking at the tree. My finger shuffled to his, now he’s the one who looked at me while my gaze never leaving the tree. Then, both of our hands shifted to each other.

 “Gabi na! Magsitulog na kayo!” A familiar voice boomed from the entryway to the house, saying that we should be sleeping right now as the night was getting darker. Retreating our hands, we sat up properly.

 “Opo!” We agreed in unison, staring at each other then looking away as we stood up. The servant smiled and went inside. We soon followed, Aurelio followed behind me. We ascended the stairs and headed straight to our separate bedrooms.

 “Good night.” He said, gazing at me and smiling.

 “Good night.”

 Disappearing to each other’s room, I parted the swaying curtains, entering the canopy bed. Staring into the roof, its fine woodwork of flowers and vines. Then, a hum of a piano echoed from throughout the room. A once sad tune, now a dulcet and cheerful. I laid on my side, my head resting on my hand. Feeling a warm and comforting presence behind me, I feel the smile with clasped hands as the motherly figure gazed at me. Now my mind raced if the hum was from the piano, or my beating heart when I’m around him.