Heat Wave (Disaster Series #2)

Kabanata 3

Kaya siguro, mabuti na rin ang ganito, na tumira muna siya kina Tita Reese. Maraming tao roon and I think it's a good environment for her. It can divert her thoughts and stop her from thinking about what the Cavalleros did to us.

So, in the end, I have no choice but to let her go with Asmodeus. Tila wala na rin naman akong magagawa para baguhin pa ang desisyon niya. She has already made up her mind about this.

"Remember about what you need to do about the Cavallero's eldest," huling paalala niya pa.

Awtomatiko akong tumango. Mama's litany about the Cavalleros seemed like a routine so whenever she talks about this, I just instinctively follow and nod my head.

Nahahapo kong pinasadahan ang mahabang buhok at bumaling na ngayon sa kakalapit lang na si Asmodeus.

"Thank you so much, Asmodeus. I want to visit Tita Reese for today and personally thank her for letting Mama live in your house pero kailangan ko na ring mag-empake ng gamit para tumira sa mga Cavallero. It's another school day tomorrow, so I have no choice but to pack my things now."

My cousin smiles warmly. One look at him and you'll feel safe and assured.

Asmodeus is a kind and wise man kaya palaging siya ang inaasahan ni Tita Reese sa lahat ng gawain at desisyon pati na sa kompanya kumpara kay Peter na ibang bagay naman ang nakahiligan.

And on top of that, he's good-looking. I don't even know why he still doesn't have a girlfriend and why his fiancée ran away from their wedding day last month. My cousin is such a catch and all these girls be dumping him, like what the hell is wrong with them?

"It's okay, Tequila. I'll make sure to relay to Tita Reese your thanks. You can visit us any time soon. And if you need anything while you're at the Cavalleros, you already have my number. You can call me."

He opens his arms for an embrace which I gladly accept with a smile.

And with that, I sent them off the gates.

I sighed as I watched the car slowly disappearing from my vision. So, this is the start of another major adjustment.

Nang naiwan akong mag-isa ay ang mga bagahe ko naman ang inasikaso ko. Natapos ako sa pag-iimpake mga bandang alas sais na dahil nakatulog pa talaga ako sa kalagitnaan nito.

I blink profusely to adjust my sight from the bleariness as I was outside our house, waiting for a tricycle.

Now our house is completely empty. Ngayon ay nagmumukha na talaga itong haunted house dahil sa tipak-tipak na puting pintura at kikindap-kindap na ilaw sa labas na matagal nang hindi napapalitan.

It feels sad leaving the home where I grew up but I'm at least relieved that a caretaker will stay here. Asmodeus insisted of hiring one and I had to admit it was convenient even though I was already embarrassed that he have to do more for us.

May humintong isang tricycle sa harap ko matapos ang ilang minuto ng paghihintay. I sighed before casting one last glance at our old house before the engine revved to life.

Mabagal ang takbo ng tricycle at puro daldal ang driver. He kept on asking me about what year in college I am and if I already have a boyfriend. Oo ng oo lang ako sa lahat ng sagot niya dahil hindi ko rin naman marinig ng maayos ang pinagsasabi niya dahil sa ingay ng makina ng tricycle.

It's already seven when I arrived at the Cavallero's mansion.

Mukha akong lutang habang hawak ang isang luggage at nakasalikbay sa kanang balikat ang malaking bagpack. Some housemaids insisted to help me carry it but I refused because I can do it on my own.