Chapter 14 Disclosed
1174 Words
His mom took me in a dark room. Dark room since wala pang ilaw. My eyes bowled over when she turned on the dimmable lights. I saw a wide screen mounted on the wall with lamps on both sides it is like antique brass lamps. There are speakers too mounted on the corners of the room.
Parang nasa sinehan na din ako. Since carpeted ang sahig. There is a glass cabinet on the side of the sofa. May mga figures na maliliit na naroon.
“Come on, Lesley.” Ang sabi niya sa akin. Lumakad din ako at sumunod sa kaniya.
She walked and sat on a black chesterfield sofa. Habang ako ay abala sa pag-iikot ng aking mga mata. The gray wall suits the place. Napansin ko ang glass cabinet na nasa side lang ng sofa. I saw small figures of dolls sitting on glasses. There are different kinds of them that intrigues me. Yeah! Parang mga mini dolls but not like a typical doll I usually see. Kakaiba ito. Napansin ko siya kaagad.
She looks at me.
“Do you like them?” ang tanong niya.
Tumingin ako sa kaniya at tumango sabay ngiti. Naupo ako sa sofa kung siya naroon.
“Ngayon ko lang po ito nakita. Ano po ba ang tawag dito?” ang tanong ko.
“Ah those ladies on a cup? I bought them when I was in Japan five years ago.” Ang sabi niya.
“Ree used to read books of them. Kaya naisip ko na mag-collect ng mga ‘yan.” Ang dagdag pa niya.
These are Japanese ladies wearing different colors of dresses sitting on a cup and glass.
“Wow! So, bookworm din po pala si Ree.” Ang dagdag ko pa.
“When he’s young, yes!” ang sagot niya.
“But no,” she sighed.
“Change is all I see in him.” Ani nito. Binalot ng panandaliang katahimikan ang buong kwarto.
“Eight years ago, he was a very cheerful man.” Saad nito sabay hinga ng malalim.
“Everything changed after his girlfriend died.” I can feel a sadness in her tone.
“Oh!” tanging nasambit ko dahil hindi ko alam. Well hindi naman sinabi ni Lia. At malimit si Lia magkwento ng tungkol sa kanila. All I know is that they were together years ago at naghiwalay since Lucas confessed to her that Ree was his lover. Kaya nag-away ang magkapatid. It is all because of Ree who according to Lia cheated.
May malungkot pa lang past memory si Ree. That memory na baka hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa niya makalimutan.
“He was in a state of destruction. He hardly talks or spend time with us. He isolated his self for almost a year.” Biglang napangiwi ito matapos sabihin iyon sa akin.
“I booked tickets para makapag-travel kami. I always wanted to ease his pain. Pero hindi pala ganoon kadali. It was not easy for him to go on lalo na at buntis na si Kassy that time.” Nalukot ang mga kilay niya habang binabalikan ang nakaraan.
“He was young but excited and proud to be a dad.” Dagdag pa niya.
Bigla kong naalala ang pamimili namin ng mga gamit ng baby. Kaya siguro siya excited dahil nasasabik na makahawak ng baby since hindi niya man lang nakita ang anak niya na lumaki. Bumaling agad ako ng pansin sa kaniya.
“Maam may I know, if you may? Bakit po namatay si Kassy? I am sorry to ask.” ang nahihiyang himig ko sa kaniya.
She looked up and sighed and blinked her eyes trying to hold her tears. Maybe she’s about to cry pero kita kong pilit niyang pinipigilan.
“She died on childbirth.” She said when she looked on my side.
“I came late that night since may arranged meeting ako with the board of directors.” Malungkot niyang sabi.
“I did not hear or see his calls. He was crying for help. Natataranta siya dahil manganganak na si Kassy.” She looked at me while she tells.
“But I came late.” Isang panghihinayang na himig niya.
“Tumaas ang blood pressure ni Kassy when she was at the hospital. She didn’t make it and the baby too.” Habag ang siyang bumalot sa kaniyang ekspresyon.
Napahugot ako ng hininga. Kahit na malamig ang temperature ay biglang nanlapot ang pawis ko.
“If only I came earlier maybe I have helped her and I saved my grand daughter.”
Napahawak ako sa braso ko. Kinabahan ako sa narinig ko. Huwag naman sana ako umabot sa ganoon. I cannot lose a child.
“Maam I am sorry to hear that. I didn’t know since Lia never told me.” Ang sabi ko. Biglang naningkit ang kaniyang mga mata ng tingin sa akin.
“Lia?” pag-ulit nito.
Tumango ako kahit na bahagyang may alinlangan mula ng makita ko ang kaniyang reaksiyon.
“Yes, Lia.” Ang sabi ko.
Biglang napaisip ako. Didn’t he tell her mom? Mukhang nagkamali ako.
“Oh! I remember that girl. His first love.” Ang sabi niya.
“Nasa Pilipinas kami noon when I met that cheerful girl.” Ang kwento nito.
“Is she your friend?” ang tanong niya.
“Yes. And she asked Ree to keep me safe while she’s away. Nahihiya po ako sa anak ninyo. Naaabala ko po siya lagi.” Ang paliwanag ko. Baka masamain niya na kasama ko ang anak niya.
“Oh! I did not know about that. Napakalihim na niya since Kassy died. He seldom calls me. Kaya ako natutuwa sa’yo. You are the reason he called me again.” Nakangiti siya na nakahawak sa aking kamay.
“I cut the meeting right away and rushed myself here.” Sabi niya.
“He was so tensed when I saw him sitting beside you on his bed. Akala ko talaga girlfriend ka niya.” Ang kwento nito.
Muntik na ako matawa. Napagkamalan pa ako. Maling akala naman.
“Where is the father of your child?” ang tanong nito.
Parang ayaw ko na ikwento sana.
“We separated.” Ang sabi ko sa malungkot na himig.
“Because your pregnant?” ang tanong niya.
“Hindi po. Other reason.” Ang sagot ko.
“I see. Pero nandito din ba siya sa Canada?” tanong niya.
“Nope. Nasa Pinas.” Ang sabi ko.
“So how’d?” ang putol niyang tanong ng biglang may kumatok sa pinto. She took a look.
“Son please wait a lil more.” Ang narinig ko sa kaniyang sinabi habang nakaawang ng bahagya ang pinto.
She closed it again at bumalik sa tabi ko. She’s smiling.
“Lesley thank you sa inyo ni Lia.” Ang sab niya.
“Bakit po?” ang tanong habang naglukot ang noo ko.
“Because I think my son found his home.” Ang sagot niya.
“You should meet your future daughter-in-law.” Ang saad ko.
- Writer
