He Was My Cousin

Chapter 40

Chapter 40
Christmas Eve

1 missed call.

All the while Paolo Romualde was calling, I was just looking at my cellphone screen. I didn't know why. I knew I only have a few excuses to talk to him now pero parang wala akong energy para kausapin siya ngayon. I'm just too drained.

Ilalagay ko na sana sa bulsa ko 'yung cellphone ko nang bigla na naman itong nag-ring muli. This time, it was Ate Sky. Napakunot ang noo ko. It's not everyday that I get a phone call or two at eleven in the evening.

"Hello?" I said when I answered the call.

"So you're really ignoring me..." I heard from the other line. I knew that voice well plus I'm a thousand percent sure it wasn't Ate Sky because it was a male's voice. "I wonder why. I'm curious why."

"P-Paolo..." His name felt like a big chunk of meat in my throat. Night calls are dangerous. Napatingin bigla si Ella sa akin. I excused myself and went to the veranda. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay minamatyagan ni Ella bawat galaw ko.

Nakarinig ako ng paghatak mula roon sa kabilang linya. It was followed by Paolo's protest. The next thing I knew I was already talking to Ate Sky. "Oy..." she said. "We're having a Christmas party tomorrow at 7 PM. But come in the morning and lend me a hand! Please? Pretty please?" she said, sounding a little desperate. "Or do you plans tomorrow? Come pretty please, couz... Darating kasi 'yung Mommy ni Riyuji..."

I haven't personally met Mrs. Adriana Garcia, but from my family and Ate Sky's stories, I knew she was a woman who shouldn't be crossed. And she has a freaking thing for cleanliness!

"Wala ba sina Manang?" tanong ko. "You have maids, Ate Sky. Paglilinisin mo ako sa disperas ng Pasko?" I asked incredulously.

"Lahat sila umuwi ng probinsya. Si Manang lang ang natira dahil wala kaming katulong ni Riyuji sa pag-aalaga kay Baby Eugene... so please come?"

"You'll come, right?" narinig kong singit ni Paolo. Ate Sky was quick to dismiss him saying, "'Wag ka ngang epal, o-okay na nga, sasabat ka pa. Ayaw nga niyang sagutin 'yung tawag mo."

"So Aya..." sabi niya nang tinuon muli niya sa akin ang kanyang atensyon. "You're coming, right?" she asked but her voice made it seem obligatory that I just laughed out loud.

"Fine, Ate..." I said, giving in.

"You're really my angel!"

"Sinabi mo rin 'yan kanina kay Hazel!" protesta ni Paolo. Natawa na lang ako. Ganito ba kalala si Mrs. Adriana Garcia?

I returned to Ella's room right after the call. Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagpaalam na akong mauuna na ako. I couldn't stay for the night. Maaga pa ako kina Ate Sky bukas. Because apparently, I've gotten myself a sideline, right? I laughed, shaking my head.

"Ako na maghahatid kay Aya sa labas..." offered Liz.

"Hindi na," sagot ko. "Baka mahamugan ka pa."

"Oo nga, Liz. Manahimik ka na lang at manginain d'yan sa gilid." Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Liz at sumunod lang sa akin. I insisted she just stay in the room, but she didn't budge.

Nang nakalabas na kami ay kumunot ang noo ko nang may kinuha siya sa kanyang sasakyan. She then handed it to me. "Ako lang ang may Christmas gift?" I teased. Lately kasi ay napipikon siya sa bayangan nina Ella at Pat tapos buntis pa siya... medyo moody.

She laughed but shook her head. She stared for a moment as if she was stalling to find the right words to say what she was supposed to say properly. "Jiro dropped by yesterday, and he asked me to give that to you."