The Case of Adelaide (S1)

xvii. blow the whistle

-to report a crime.

17

If I was in a drama, I could already hear the intense background music. Like what I've watched in the movies, all of their attention is on me, eyes meeting mine.

Literal na nakaawang ang bibig ko, namimilog ang mga mata. I could see myself with a devastating look, despair is visible on my face. Parang nanlalabo ang mga mata ko, hindi matutok ang tingin na pabalik-balik kay Felix at sa ama niya.

What? Why are they here? Am I in the wrong house? No, father is here.

Why . . . why is the Byrons' here?

Para akong nawalan ng lakas. Nanghina ang tuhod ko at bigla akong napaatras. Muntikan na 'kong bumagsak kung hindi ko lang naramdaman ang bisig ng taong nasa likod ko na agad akong inalalayan.

"Harlotte . . ." Ang mahina at puno ng pag-aalalang boses ni Nilus ang narinig ko.

I glanced at him to see his worried look. He's definitely suspecting something now, seeing my reaction.

"Harlotte!" Nakirinig ako ng pag-urong ng upuan. Doon ko nakita ang ina kong napatayo sa upuan at nag-aalala ring napatingin sa 'kin.

"Darling, are you alright?" My father's voice gave me a push to stand straight. 

Ilang beses akong napapikit-pikit, napalunok, at huminga nang malalim bago tumango-tango. "I-I apologize for barging in. I-I . . . I just wanted to see you."

Pinilit kong iangat ang tingin sa kanila, kahit hindi ko gustong maaninagan sina Felix at ang ama niyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Do you need something, Harlotte?" ani ama.

Napayuko ako, kaagad na nag-isip ng irarason. Napahawak ako nang madiin sa pangibaba ko.

"I . . . I wanted to apologize, father, mother." I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for what happened this morning. I was wrong, it won't happen again." Mas lalong bumaba ang ulo ko. Alam kong nakatingin silang lahat sa 'kin.

I heard my father heaved a sigh. "I apologize for being rough as well, I was just worried. As long as you've learned your lesson." Umangat na ang tingin ko. "Please, let's just move on, my child. Join us for dinner."

I took all the courage I had to walk towards the table. Dinaanan ko si Nilus at binigyan ng nangungusap na tingin. A look that a smart man like him would understand, which he did. Umiwas kaagad siya ng tingin bago maglakad sa kabilang posisyon ng lamesa.

The only vacant seats are next to Lord Byron and his son. I had to choose the latter. Ramdam ko ang hindi mawalang tingin ni Felix na sumusunod sa 'kin. I heard his father chuckled. 

"My, my. Our lady Harlotte is getting wiser," he said. He tried not to make it sound sarcastic, but his intention was obvious.

Hindi ako kumibo hanggang makaupo ako, kahit hindi tinatago ng katabi ko ang pagtingin niya sa 'kin. The last time Felix and I talked, we had a short but heated conversation. And I make it obvious that my decision back then was real.

"Lady Harlotte," pagtawag sa 'kin ng kaharap ko. I glanced at Lord Byron who had a genuine smile. If I didn't know what he's up to, I might think that he is sincere. "Allow me to apologize if I hurt your feelings during our last dinner. That was rude of me. That day, I decided to quit drinking to make it up to you," he raised a wine glass that had water, still has a smile on his face.

I had to swallow my words, keeping it to myself until this dinner is finished. I faked a smile. "You don't have to apologize. It should be me for being too sensitive."