The Conspiracy of Silence

22nd Silence

Parehong tahimik na lumabas sa sasakyan sina Alden and Maine. Paglabas ni Maine ay napatingin siya sa katabing itim na sasakyan. Isang Rolls Royce. She vaguely remembered seeing this kind of model going towards the orphanage. Napansin din niya ang inis sa mga mata ni Alden ng mapansin din ang sasakyan.

They didn't talk until they reached the top floor. When the elevator's door opened, bigla itong nagsalita.

"Can you please proceed to my room?"

She wanted to ask him why but he already stepped out of the shaft. Tahimik na sinunod na lang niya ito papasok sa unit nito. She instantly stopped on her track when she noticed an old man standing cozily in the middle of the living area. Maine immediately took notice the resemblance of the old man to Alden. 

"Good you're back," he quipped at Alden. His gaze then switched to her then to the cast on her right foot and back on her face. He gave her a tight smile. "Nice to meet you, doktora. I am Alden's father, Richard Faulkerson. This is my first time meeting you..."

Tinanggap niya ang kamay nito and shook it once. "Nice to meet you too, sir. "

"If you'll excuse us, I'd like to talk to Alden in private."

Binalingan niya sandali ng tingin si Alden then nodded to his father. "Okay, sir."

One worried look at Alden and Maine went directly towards the Masters bedroom. She felt like leaving the two alone meant trouble. Pero ano bang laban niya kung tatay na nito ang nakiusap? Tsaka mukhang alam na ni Alden na mangyayari ito.

"Bakit hindi ka tumuloy sa orphanage?" Rinig niyang tanong ni Mr. Richard sa anak bago tuluyang sumara ang pinto ng Masters.

It then hit Maine. Sino pa ba ang sasakay sa ganun karangyang sasakyan na Rolls Royce kundi ang mga katulad lang ni Mr. Richard.

It made her wonder if Mr. Richard was aware of Bea's true personality. Kahit anong dikit ng tenga niya sa pinto, she couldn't fully understand the voices outside. Actually voice lang pala kasi si Mr. Richard lang ang nagsasalita while Alden seemed to be acting mute again. Napaupo na lang siya sa kama at iniisip ang possibilities ng pag-uusap ng mag-ama. Dalawa lang naman ang puwede, ang araw nang makita ni Mr. Richard ang anak almost close to the orphanage at ang business deal sa Kyoto.

Napatingin agad sa pinto si Maine nang pumasok si Alden. Halos magdadalawang oras din itong nakikipag-usap sa ama kaya halata sa mukha nito ang pagod. Tatayo na sana siya nang pigilan siya ni Alden at hinila siya pahiga sa kama. Nagreact agad ang puso niya lalo na ng ilapit nito ang mukha sa balikat niya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit sa bewang.

"A-Alden... Okay ka lang?"

"I'm so tired, Maine. Mamaya na lang tayo mag-usap. I promise to tell you everything."

His energy must have been really depleted. He obviously had a confrontation with his father and then he have to confront with his past too. It must have been hard. She sighed and just let him seek comfort in her warmth.

"Sige. Itulog mo na lang muna iyan ngayon."

"Thanks," he mumbled.

---

Nagising si Alden na wala na si Maine sa tabi. Balisang lumabas siya sa kwarto at hinanap si Maine sa paligid pero kahit anino ng dalaga hindi niya makita. He felt distraught. He told her to tell her everything of his past. Pero anong ginawa niya? Tinulugan niya lang ito. She waited in vain. Kaya iniwan na siya nito.