Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 35: The Unraveling

"You're grandfather is the Oyabun—" Hindi na natuloy ni Sir Archie ang sasabihin dahil sumingit ang aking ama.

Nagsalita siya ng nihongo at nag translate si Madame para sa akin. "The family boss, your grandfather, wants you back in Japan, and your father's cousin wants you as a gambling chip to be in his favor."

"So... two groups are looking for you."

Nananaginip ba ako? Naririnig ba nila pinagsasabi nila? This sounds like the background of a horrible cliche story.

"In other words, you are a long lost yakuza princess being hunted." Ngumisi si Hera at mabilis siyang sinaway ng ama ko. "Ojisan, I'm just telling the truth."

I think I'm hyperventilating.

I felt it in my bones. I felt there was a much bigger story... pero hindi ko naman naisip na ganitong kalaking kuwento ang mangyayari. Kung hindi ko naranasan ang naranasan ko ilang oras na ang nakalipas, hinding-hindi ako maniniwala sa mga sinasabi nila.

"Gaano katagal? Gaano katagal nila—niyo ako sinusundan?"

"Two years." Sagot ni Kuya Jupiter at mabilis akong napalingon kay TJ. He's just staring at me, waiting, his expression giving away nothing.

From the moment he saw me in that restaurant. He knew me.

From the moment I entered Mr and Mrs Couture, they knew it was me.

From the moment I worked at their house and before that, they knew everything I was that I didn't.

Everything is so convenient to be a coincidence. "Planado ba 'tong lahat?"

Walang nagsalita at napalingon ako kay Hera na naiinis na bumuntong hininga, "Yes. Your scholarship failing, your job at your mother's company, your job at the mansion—"

"Herana yameru."

Hindi nilingon ni Hera ang tatay kong nagsalita. "And you keep beating around the bush. She deserves to know everything."

I didn't know it was possible, but the betrayal I'm feeling is much more damaging than the punch the guy gave me.

"There's another thing, there's a digital ledger—"

"Archie, we just reunited with our daughter." Natigil nanaman si Sir Archie sa pagsasalita nang sinapawan siya ni Madame Kristine.

"And one of our safehouses was burned. We don't have time. We don't even know if it still exists."

Naalala ko ang sunog dahil sa sinabi niya. Si Nana. Si Ate Beauty.

"Fuck that, shut up Dad. We can talk about the ledger another time." Nagsalita uli si TJ pero tinuloy ni Sir ang sinasabi sa'kin.

"Your parents gave you a red bracelet when you were a baby. Do you still have it?"

Umiling ako. Hindi na pumapasok sa utak ko ang sinasabi niya dahil putangina, planado ang lahat? May choice pa ba ako sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko?

"Are you sure?"

Tumayo ako at sumabay ang mga magulang ko. Mabilis akong lumayo nang lumapit sila, "K-kailangan ko umalis."

Mabilis akong naglakad pabalik sa kwarto, pero habang naglalakad, naramdaman ko na agad ang presensya niya sa likod ko.

"Planado ang lahat? Alam mo ba 'to?"

Marahas akong lumingon kay TJ at napa-irap nang makita ang sagot sa mukha niya kahit hindi siya nagsasalita.

"Syempre, alam mo! Then... am I just a pawn in your game? Lahat ba calculated ninyo? Naisip niyo na rin ba na posible mangyari ang nangyari kahapon? Was it a deduction, a speculation which you could have better prepared for?"