I knocked on the door, but Argentina didn't answer. Still, I decided to twist the nob, pushing the door a bit, allowing fluorescent light to pass through her dimly-lit room.
I turned to the end of the hallway where Cyprus stood lifelessly, tears streaming down his face. I raised my palm at his direction, and he nodded, distraught evident in his eyes.
Huminga ako nang malalim at nagsimulang humakbang papasok, mabagal at puno nang pag-iingat. I was expecting for her to scream or throw something at me just to keep me out, but there was nothing.
When I reached the other side of the room, I found her sitting on the floor with her arms around her knees. She was leaning against the bed frame, mindlessly staring ahead while crying in silence.
Instead of saying anything, I chose to sit right next to her.
If I couldn't give her light, at least, I wanted a share of her darkness.
"I've heard about the rumors, but I chose to ignore them. Even when everyone in Cyprus' life turned against him and treated him a criminal, I kept acting like I wasn't aware of what was happening . . ." I was caught by surprise when Argentina suddenly broke the silence between us. Still, she remained unmoving, her voice never sounding so empty.
"I blocked the idea out of my mind . . . " Argentina added, looking up as she breathed heavily. "I didn't want to talk or ask about it, because what if the rumors were true? What if he really caused the accident? I didn't want to hate him. I already lost my parents and I didn't want to lose Cyprus too."
I held her hand and I kept holding on to her.
"After what happened tonight? I lost the power to play dumb and act blind." She turned to look at me, now sobbing. "Joe, I'm really scared. I don't want to hate him. I don't want to lose another member of my family."
I smiled faintly and turned to face her, grabbing ahold of her cold, trembling hands. "Argentina, do you trust me?"
She pressed her lips together, trying to muffle her sobbing but to no avail. She nodded, almost breathless from all the crying.
"Alam kong dapat si Cyprus ang magpaliwanag nito sa 'yo, pero natatakot akong baka akuin niya lang ang hindi niya naman kasalanan dahil lang sa nakokonsensiya siya." With one hand, I reached for her cheek and started wiping her tear-stained cheek. "Totoong lasing si Cyprus nang gabing 'yon at totoo ring siya ang nagmamaneho ng sasakyan, pero hindi siya ang dahilan ng aksidente."
Namilog kaagad ang luhaang mga mata ni Argentina kasabay ng pag-awang ng kanyang namumutlang mga labi. "A-are you sure?"
I nodded without a bit of hesitation. "Cyprus explained everything to me. I also felt a little curious and I looked up the case. That night, Cyprus and your parents were at an auction party, but your Dad got really drunk. Your Mom didn't know how to drive, so she stayed at the backseat, taking care of him. Cyprus was drunk too, but he said he felt sober enough to drive. On the way, a truck crashed into them. And then everyone blamed Cyprus when they found out that he was drunk-driving that night, but after the police conducted a thorough investigation, it was revealed that he didn't cause the accident. It was the truck's fault for speeding and being overall reckless."
Argentina let out a loud gasp of relief, followed by a louder sobbing.
"People accused Cyprus of causing the accident, and when his innocence was proven, the same people didn't do anything to take back their wrongful accusations. They never even apologized for falsely accusing him. They just acted like nothing happened, like they didn't just ruin someone's name." I patted her hand gently as I explained in tears.
"Bakit nila ginawa 'yon sa kanya?!" Argentina cried even louder, almost wailing. I could just tell she was heartbroken for Cyprus.
"Some people find it more convenient to point a finger than figure out the truth. It sucks, but at the end of the day, what matters is the truth." It was all I could say. "The truth that Cyprus didn't cause the accident."
All of a sudden, Argentina stood up and came out running, tears still streaming down her face. And when I followed her, I saw her run to Cyprus who was still standing on the hallway, lost in his own miserable thoughts.
"Bakit hinayaan mong tratuhin ka nila nang ganon'n?!" Argentina sobbed as she lunged at Cyprus for a big embrace.
Cyprus kept apologizing profusely, while Argentina kept assuring him that it wasn't his fault.
My heart almost melted. I couldn't help but smile and tear up even more. It was the first time I saw Argentina show her affection toward Cyprus. Both of them ended up sobbing in each other's arms.
When I happened to glance at the stairs, I caught a glimpse of Mama Georgia and Papa Nelio, crying with smiles on their faces as they watched their son and granddaughter's heartfelt interaction. All of a sudden, Papa Nelio looked at my direction.
"Thank you," he mouthed and smiled at me. Soon, Mama Georgia did the same.
***
Days passed and the San Carlos' home felt more vibrant than ever. Cyprus and Argentina were as close as before, but I could just tell that the invisible barrier they kept against themselves were broken. And both Mama Georgia and Papa Nelio are at their happiest for it.
No more secrets and blissful ignorance. I could only hope that Cyprus will completely overcome his survivor's guilt one day. Whether that day will come or not, I'll always be there to support him in every way that I can.
"So? What did you want to talk about?" Cyprus asked as we sat at the same park bench where we used to hang out every time we were tired from our morning jog.
"Wait, kinakabahan ka ba?" pabiro kong tanong nang mapansin kong diretso lang siya ng upo at nakatingin lang sa direksyon ng mga taong tumatakbo sa ilalim ng papalubog na araw.
He looked at me and smiled faintly. "Dapat ba akong kabahan sa sasabihin mo?"
Umiling naman ako at ngumuso. "Hindi."
He breathed a sigh and shifted his weight, sitting in a slanted position just to face me. He then leaned his elbow against the bench's backrest, tilting his head while looking at me. "Ang totoo, may sasabihin rin sana ako sa 'yo . . . hindi ko alam kung magugustuhan mo, pero sana pag-isipan mo."
"Ano 'yon?" Humarap din ako sa kanya at sumandal sa backrest.
He moistened his lips like he was taking a moment before speaking his mind.
"Cyprus, it's okay. Hindi ako magagalit," sabi ko na lamang dahil pakiramdam ko, nagdadalawang isip siya.
He took a deep breath and smiled again. "I just realized that maybe it would be better if we stay here in Filimon Heights where our families are—"
"I'm so glad you said that!" I couldn't help but laugh as I aired relief. "'Yan din talaga ang gusto kong sabihin!"
Ever since I found that Kuya's going to be a father, part of me just wanted to stay and look out for his child. To protect them from everything we suffered from, and make sure they get all the love and support they deserve.
Cyprus looked just as relieved as I was and he ended up laughing as well. "Looks like we'll be stuck here for good?"
I nodded and grinned, leaning closer to him. "Sounds good."
It's kind of funny how I've always dreamed of leaving Filimon Heights back when I was younger. Now, all I want to do is stay and be with the people who matters to me.
In the end, Filimon Heights will always be synonymous to home.
Our home.
//