Between Two Hearts [to be published under Bookware]

Chapter 32

It's been almost a week since Leo, and I talked to each other. I couldn't help but to miss him. I miss him terribly. I hasn't seen him since our last meeting, and I'm doing my very best to keep myself busy.

He deactivated his social media accounts, and didn't even bother to talk to me. Kahit isang message lang, wala. Halos mabaliw na ako kakaisip sakanya. Bigla na lang siyang nawala na parang bula. Hindi man lang nagsabi, o nagpaalam man lang. Ito ang hirap kapag walang label e, parang kayo pero hindi kayo. Hindi ka pwedeng mag-demand kasi wala kang karapatan.

"Tatiana, are you ready?" My mother, asked as she knocked on my door.

Pinag-masdan kong mabuti ang repleksyon ko sa aking vanity mirror. Punong-puno nang kolorete ang aking mukha, at ang laylayan ng buhok ko ay bahagyang kumulot. Suot suot ko naman ang isang sleeveless pastel pink lace top, paired with a black fitted skirt with a light slit on the left side, and a pink trench coat for my inner. A pair of nice heels, and matching jewelry completed the look.

"Tatiana?"

"Yes, ma. Pababa na po," I quickly replied.

I took a deep breath, and picked up my things before going down the stairs. Ngumiti si mama ng makita ako.

"Take care, Tatiana. Message, or call me kapag may ginawa sayo si Rebecca."

"Thank you for everything, ma." I hugged her. I waved my hands and mouthed goodbye.

Am I ready for this? To know, and to seek for the truth? Daddy, invited me to join them for dinner. Gusto niya rin na doon ako magpa-lipas ng gabi kasama nila, kahit ngayon lang.

Daddy, opened the door of his backseat car for me. Agad akong pumasok doon, at ibinaba ang aking gamit.

"You look great, Tatiana. Kamukhang kamukha mo ang mama mo noong kabataan niya," he complimented.

Nagpasalamat ako sakanya, at ibinaling ang atensyon sa bintana. Masyadong magulo ang isipan ko, at masyadong madaming tumatakbo dito.

Pagdating namin sa La Maja Rica Hotel, ay mapaklang ngumiti sa akin si tita Rebecca. Naka-book lang sila sa hotel, dahil magbabakasyon lang sana sila. Wala sa plano na hanapin ako, nagkataon lang ang lahat.

Maganda, at classy tignan ang hotel. Mayroon 'tong outdoor heart-shaped pool, at outdoor furniture sa gitna ng hotel.

Dad, already made a dinner reservation at Cafè Maja Rica. It's quite basic;tiled floor with plastic tables and chairs but it has a quite extensive menu.

"How are you, Cara? It's been how many years. Akala namin patay ka na," tita Rebecca asked. Lagi 'tong naka-fierce, hindi ko mawari kung sinusungitan niya ako, o sadyang ganoon lang talaga siya.

Cara. That's how they used to call me before that tragedy happened, and before losing some of my memory. I awkwardly smile before looking down at my plate. I already lost my appetite.

"Rebecca! Let's not talk about that over dinner," pag-susuway ni daddy. Marahil ay nararamdaman niyang hindi na ako nagiging komportable sa daloy ng usapan.

Gusto kong malaman ang lahat, pero hindi sa ganitong paraan. Hindi ko alam kung talagang ganito siya, o sadyang ayaw niya lang sa akin. She's acting nice, and weird at the same time.

"What?! I'm just asking her, Dionisio. Masama bang magtanong, at mangamusta sa anak ko?"

Tita Rebecca, sipped on her juice before shifting her gaze again towards my direction.

"I supposed you're in college now. What course are you studying?"

"Senior High pa lang po, tita. Grade 12- STEM, sa St.Rose Catholic School," I answered.