Haunted Past

Chapter Twelve

Zedri's POV

"Mom. Please help me do this for her. Okay?" Sinabi ko sa kanya pagtapos ng mahabang kwento ko tungkol kay Danzelle. Masyadong makulit kasi si Mommy at hindi siya nagpapatalo kapag hindi nasasagot ang mga tanong niya.

I saw satisfaction in her eyes. Pinunasan niya yung luha niya. "That girl. She's like Princess."

I rolled my eyes. "I know. Pero hindi yun dapat maging dahilan kung bakit natin siya tutulungan."

Umiiyak na naman siya. Women. Why do they always cry?

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Mom. Are we in this together?" Tumango siya at niyakap ako.

"Thank you, Zed. Sa pagpapakilala kay Danzelle. She'll help me move on from Princess. Thank you."

At first, I thought that letting Mom know about Danzelle will only let things even more messed up. But I have no choice.

Kailangan ni Danzelle ng makakasama dito sa bahay. And Mom will go nuts for sure if she end up alone in our old house. Both of them needed each other's company.

Sana lang maki-cooperate si Mom.

Lalo na pagdating kay Ash. Masyadong malambot ang puso niya pagdating kay kuya kaya kailangan kong siguraduhin na hindi siya makakapasok dito.

"So..." nagpunas ulit si Mommy ng luha. "You're saying that you don't know where she came from?" She asked, recapping our discussion on the phone and the talk we had earlier.

"I hired a private investigator." Sabi ko. "Now I still have to talk and ask Danzelle para makakuha ng information."

"You think... that she was a victim of...?"

"Prostitution, yes." Saying the word felt like a knife stabbing myself. "Katulad ng sinabi ko sa inyo noon, she keeps on crying like hell and never talks to anyone. She cries everytime na may lalapit sa kanya. Ngayon ko lang siya kakausap."

"Oh, Zed. What if her family is searching for--"

"Sabi niya wala na siyang pamilya."

"You've been keeping her for almost half a year, Zed. Baka naman may maghahanap na sa kanyang--"

"Mom. I know what I'm doing. Once I've gathered enough information about her, doon na ako makikipag-cooperate sa authorities. I just wanted to find out myself what and who she really is. Alam kong ganun din ang gusto ni Danzelle." Napatingin ako sa kwarto niya sa taas.

"Okay." My mom smiled and embraced me once again. "I trust you. Alam kong gusto mo lang tumulong sa kanya. I will help you."

"Thanks, Mom." Sabi ko.

"Tell me, do you like her? By looking at your eyes I can tell that she's special."

"Mom. Do want to eat? I know you're tired--"

"Ooooh. Finally over with Sab?" Mom gave me a mocking smile. "Siya na ba ang papalit kay Sab? Si Danzelle?"

"She can hear you, Mom." Sabi ko as I went to the kitchen. Mom followed me and still grinning.

"I know. But... ngayon lang kasi kita nakitang ganito, Zed. I saw how you look at her. Oh, don't lie to your Mom! I know it!"

Inabutan ko siya ng juice at sandwich. "Just don't... tell her about it, okay, Mom?"

I saw how she smiled so wide. "Gotcha, loverboy. Don't worry, I'm a supportive Mom, right?"

"Aakyat muna ako." Sabi ko sa kanya. "I'll check her." I heard Mom laugh as I make my way to the stairs.