I Could Fall

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
Ali... Are you still awake?

The blue bubble sent. I anxiously bit my lip. Hindi ako mapalagay kaya nagtipa ako ng isa pang mensahe.

Hindi kasi ako sigurado kung gising pa siya dahil alam kong twelve midnight na sa Manila. He promised he'll wait for my text before he sleeps and although he never did, but there's a chance that he might asleep.

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
I have to tell you something..

It hasn't been a minute when he saw my message. He didn't bother replying.

Ali Santiesteban would like FaceTime...

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip sagutin 'yon. His screen loaded and showed me his gorgeous face. Yellowish light from the lamp showcased his face perfectly. Mukhang patay na ang ilaw sa kwarto niya at ang lamp lang ang nagsisilbing ilaw.

"What is it, my baby?" malambing at nangaamo agad ang boses ni Ali sa unang tanong niya. His eyes were slightly falling, like I woke him up from his sleep.

"Did I wake you?"

"No, baby. I was waiting for your text. Ano ang sasabihin mo?" tanong ulit nito.

"Well..." I hesitantly said. I didn't prepare what I was going to tell him. Alam ko lang na gusto kong sabihin sa kanya.

Biglang umayos ng higa si Ali. Nawala na ang antok sa mga mata niya. Seryoso na ang mukha. "Hyon."

"You know our cousin, Ate Lavie, right?" I started.

Kumunot ang noo ni Ali. Halos mapangiti ako. Ang gwapo kasi. "Yes. Why?"

I bit my lip. "Kasi... she's also here in Paris. Kuya Xavi called us to tell us the truth..."

Huminga nang maluwag si Ali. Unti-unti siyang bumalik sa pagkakahiga kanina at kalmado na ulit ang mukha nang tumingin sa akin. "About?"

"That he and Ate Lavie were in a relationship years ago."

Umangat ang mga kilay ni Ali sa narinig pero umayos din. No judgment can be seen in his face. He looked invested on whatever I'm telling. Ganito naman siya palagi kapag nagkukwento ako.

"They broke up. Ate Lavie left the Philippines and it turns out she was pregnant with Kuya Xavi's baby. I saw her today. Her name's Dionne! She looks like Kuya X!" I gushed. "She's two and she has a British accent. Sobrang cute, Ali!"

Ali chuckled. Tumango siya. "Cute."

"I know." I heavily sighed. "But I feel so bad for Kuya Xavi and Ate Lavie. Our families are against their relationship."

Medyo napasimangot si Ali. "You are already distant cousins, right? I think it's legally allowed in the Philippines and in some countries."

"Oo nga raw. Sabi ni Dashiel sa akin," sagot ko.

It was a heavy encounter. My mother and Tita Avis, Ate Lavie and Dashiel' mother, fought and I don't remember them fighting ever before.

They were in love with each other way back. They still are. Iyon nga lang ay ayaw nila Mommy at Tita Avis sa relasyon nilang dalawa. It was all incest. We're cousins!