Living with The Lach Brothers

It's happening.

I haven't recovered from my shock yet when the doorbell rang. It must be Tita Cleo and Tito Martin. I bid my goodbye to mom and we exchanged I love you's.
May narinig akong katok mula sa aking pinto.

"Señorita, nandito na po sila Madam Cleo at Sir Martin."
"Sige manang, I'll be down in a few."

Pagkababa ko, agad na sumalubong sakin si Tita.

"Ash! Oh my God baby girl, you've grown beautifully, how are you?"
"Hi tita! I'd be lying if I tell you I'm okay."
"Oh dear, I understand. Anyway, we, your tito Martin and the rest of the boys are here for you. Have you packed your things yet? The plane leaves in 5 hours."

Everything is happening so fast. According to my mom, everything was sudden dahil nabenta na 'tong mansion and they need it to be vacated in 2 days. Like seriously? Ganon ba sila kamadali na kunin lahat sakin?

I am now packing my things with the help of Manang Yolly. Hindi ko mapigilan ang lungkot ng malaman ko na babalik na si Manang sa probinsya nila since hindi na namin kayang bigyan siya ng sweldo at hindi rin naman siya pwedeng sumama kila Tita Cleo.

"Manang, I am sorry that this all happened. Ikaw na nag-alaga sakin since I was a kid. Akala ko pa nga ikaw na din ang mag-aalaga sa mga future babies ko."

"Señorita, wag mo akong alalahanin. Ang alalahanin mo ay ang sarili mo. Alam ko hindi biro 'tong pinagdadaanan mo ngayon, pero kapit ka lang sa Diyos. Hindi ka niya papabayaan. Magpakatatag ka ha?"

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagpatak ng mga luha ko.

"Oo manang. Maraming salamat sa lahat."
"Nga pala iha, alam na ba ito ni Sir Kent?"
"Oo manang, kausap ko siya nung isang araw, pero after that hindi na siya nagreturn call."

Napaisip ako sa alaala ni Kent. Bakit kaya hanggang ngayon he's not answering any of my calls? Not even a text. I am starting to worry so I sent him a text.

To: Kent
Hi love, how are you? Remember what I told you about me moving in with Tita Cleo? Well it all happened so fast. I am leaving with her now. Plane is leaving within 3 hours. Please call me back.

***
After packing all my necessities, I am now ready to leave. Well, of course I will never be ready. But I have to be. There's no other way. I am sure talk of the town na naman ang nangyari sakin at sa'king family. It just saddens me that despite everything, wala kahit isa sa mga tinuturing kong friends ang nangamusta man lang sakin. I knew some of them were plastics but I assumed na kahit isa merong totoo. But I guess not.

Another thing that's holding me back is Kent. I wonder kung paano na, ni hindi kami nagkaroon ng time mag-usap or to even sort things out. Gusto kong magalit, pero hindi ko magawa. Siya na lang ang meron ako ngayon. I can't just lose him.

"Hija are you ready?"

I snapped into reality ng marining ko ang boses ni tita.

"Yes, I guess I am tita."

"That's good Hija. Let's go?"

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