Uncovering the Camouflaged Daughter

34

We all sat at the floor of Lolo's mausoleum. Kuya Borgy really got it covered, he prepared a flower for him already. Super handa ang Manong.

"What's up there, Lolo?" Kuya Alfonso said cooly.

"Pag ikaw sinagot niyan, tatakbo talaga ako." Sabi ni Kuya Michael na nakapagpatawa sa amin.

"Gago talag—" Kuya Borgy was cut off by Kuya Luis.

"Hoy! Bawal bad words! Pag yang bibig mo tinampal ni Lolo..."

"Ay! Oo nga pala, sorry, Lolo..." sabi ni Kuya Borgy na hinaplos ang ibabaw ang burial vault ni Lolo.

I rolled my eyes and spoke, "You guys are so kulit. Lolo's sleeping, ano ba?" mahaba kong sabi, nanunuway.

"Pag yan gumising... nako! Ewan ko na lang kung hindi tayo magsitakbuhan." Sabi ni Kuya Sandro.

Nagulat kami noong may biglang nagsalita.

"Ang mga batang ito talaga... ang iingay ng mga apo ko." Nilingon namin kung kanino galing ang boses.

Turns out that it was just Kuya Luis, copying Lolo's voice. But it's believable! He really does have the same voice like Lolo! Akala ko biglang may nagsalita sa burial vault ni Lolo. Kinabahan kami bigla.

Hinampas ni Kuya Matt si Kuya Luis. "Kinabahan ako doon!" nagsitawanan kami.

"Kuya! Akala ko nagsalita si Lolo! Nako, iiyak talaga ako!" I pouted.

"Why would you be scared? That's Lolo lang naman," Kuya Simon said.

My eyes widened and explained. "Imagine, Lolo rising up from his grave! That's scary, Kuya!"

"Ayaw mo noon... you'll be able to meet Lolo na?" sabi ni Kuya Luis.

"I would love to meet Lolo, but definitely not in that way!" I said and made a face. They chuckled.

We did the thing that we usually do when we visit Lolo here, we talk to him about the things we have accomplished and would want to accomplish. Nakipagkwentuhan lang kami sa kanya kahit na alam namin na wala naman kaming makukuhang sagot.

But, it is still a very heartfelt feeling whenever we do this. It seems like we were treating Lolo like he's still with us, well he's always in our hearts, but it feels so nice talking to him.

"And you know what, Lolo, our Ellie here seems like she has a boyfriend now." Kuya Michael teased. Napakunot ang noo ko at bumilog ang mata.

"What? Where did you get that chismis, huh?" I exclaimed.

"Kuya Borgs told us that Mikhail brought you home the other night when you went away without telling anyone," Kuya Simon says.

"And why does he know where you are? I mean, wala nga'ng nakaalam sa amin... tapos si Mikhail alam?" Kuya Matt smirked. I rolled my eyes.

"Naikwento ko kasi to him that I tend to go to a park whenever I wanna be alone, kaya ayun..." I pouted, not trying to sound defensive. Lumiit ang mata nila na para bang hindi sila naniniwala sa sinasabi ko.

I looked at Lolo's burial vault. "Don't believe in them, Lo. I do not have a boyfriend."

"Hmm... Maniwala kami sayo," Kuya Luis said.

"Totoo nga!"

"You know you can always tell us, right? If he's making you happy... wala naman kaming magagawa." sabi ni Kuya Alfonso.

"No nga, Manongs... He's really just a friend," I smiled.

"Sure?" Kuya Sandro asked. I nodded.

"How come? I mean you guys looks close, and I heard from Tita that you often go out together." Kuya Borgy sounded curious.