Chapter 31
Elixxir's Point Of View
"A–Mother."
May pagdadalawang-isip pang pagtawag ko sa kaniya.
She smiled at me knowing why I hesitated to call her mother in the first place.
I am always hesitating everytime. Because since I was young, I call her Auntie. She is the only member of the family that can visit me and my mother before.
That is why in this family, she is the only person who knows and cares for me like my mother did.
"Let me see."
Sabi niya matapos na makalapit sa akin.
Hawak-hawak niya ako sa braso at pinagmasdan ako mula ulo hanggang paa.
Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo ay tinapik niya ako s balikat.
"You're fine."
Tumatangong sabi niya. Nang magtama ang mga mata namin ay ginulo niya ang buhok ko.
"That got me worried. Don't sleep that long again okay?"
I nod my head in response.
"You must be hungry. Let's eat."
Pang-aaya niya kasabay ng pag-akbay sa akin.
When she realize something she look at my back.
"Eumee darling, come with us."
Tinawag siya ni tita at pinapunta sa kabilang braso niya at inakbayan rin.
Her face flush red after what her mother did.
"Wow, you two have really grown up."
Sabi ni Auntie kasabay ng paghawak sa ulo naming dalawa.
I am just watching how Eumee is reacting.
She looks so happy.
"Little Eumee don't cry."
Pang-aasar ko sa kaniya.
Sumama naman ang mukha niya at sumagot sa akin.
"Who is crying, you idiot."
Since there is a proper arrangement of seats on the table, she can't seat with her mother.
I know how much she missed her. It's been years. A lot of year.
"She called you darling."
Bulong ko kay Eumee habang naghihintay sa pagdating ng pagkain.
A small smile formed in her lips as she nod her head.
"Hasn't happened for years."
Ako rin ay napangiti.
Hindi ko mapigilan na hindi mahawa sa kasiyahan niya.
Kahit pa kung iisipin ay kamuntikan na akong mapatay ng isa sa mga naging kasama namin dito sa bahay.
"If I had known that she will come running once he heard you hasn't wake up for days after passing out, I should've make you sleep for a millennium."
I choke on the water I am drinking after hearing that.
The reason why all eyes is now on me.
"Don't worry, I am fine."
Kaagad na sabi ko.
"No one is worried."
Dinig kong bulong ni Jeanne.
There is only Eumee between us. I can her whispers everytime.
And like always, I choose to ignore.
Dumating na ang mga pagkain kaya naman nagsimula na kami.
Wala pa man sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain ay binuksan na ni Auntie ang tungkol sa nangyari sa akin.
"I suspect that one of the members of the family is the reason why that happened to Elixxir."
Huminto siya sa pagkain at diretsahan iyon na sinabi dahilan para matigil rin ang lahat sa pagkain.
Hindi lang siya nakatingin kay Lola.
Lahat ng tao sa lamesa ay tinitingnan niya.
And I can feel the tension starting to rise at the dining table.
"You say that as if you are a hundred percent sure of your claims."
"I am indeed one percent sure."
Kaagad na sagot ni Auntie sa asawa ng kapatid niya.
Ang Mama ni Athalia.
"Then where's your proofs?"
Sabi naman ni Jeanne.
After saying that she turned to grandmother.
"There are a lot of people who wants to harm the heir of the family. Why point a finger to the family members?"
Wow, I just realize that the same blood really runs through Eumee and her. They have the same attitude towards other people.
I can remember Eumee's answers when the Detective was asking her about Uhna's suicide case.
"You won't understand Jeanne."
Sagot sa kaniya ni Eumee.
It's is said like she is trying to shut her up.
"I am not a kid like you."
"I am not a ki–"
"Shut up you too."
Pagpapatigil sa kanila ni Uncle Enrique na naka-upo sa tabi ni Auntie Lenora , ang Papa ni Eumee.
Sa aming lahat, si Lola lang ang hindi huminto sa pagkain.
Naubos na niya ang pagkain niya bago siya magsalita.
"I want to hear it from you Elixxir."
Sabi niya habang pinupunasan ang labi ng table napkin.
"Yes, grandmother?"
"About the person who attacked you. Who do you think did that?"
If I am going to base on a major thinking, I'd say that person is probably hired by the rival families of Louisiana that doesn't want me to be the next heir.
But if I am going to the minor, I'd say it is really one of my family members.
Reason? Easy. Once I am dead, other family member will take my seat.
I think I'll just go with.... both
They will also stop fighting if I choose this.
"Base on the previous attempts to kill me. Most of the person that is hired to do so works from someone who hates our family. And is outside our family. So I think that person is just one of them. The mastermind might not be one of our family members."
I saw Auntie Lenora rolled her eyes.
She's not accepting it.
While the other Auntie I have has a small smile on her lips like she's won something.
"But, it's not also impossible that there is someone in the family that wants to kill me. Though I don't want to entertain the idea."
Natahimik ang lahat ng nasa lamesa.
Grandmother remains looking at me, while I am watching how everyone is reacting.
Athalia's mother lose her small smile and her face turned blank.
Jeanne scoffed.
Aunt Lenora— Eumee's mother somewhat looks proud.
Both of my uncle has no reaction at all.
Eumee, she is just quiet.
Nang ibalik ko ang paningin kay Lola ay tumango siya.
"Then we just have to tighten the security to avoid this right? No more night clubs, no more hang outs, you– Elixxir, must be home before seven PM, and add more people to guard you because having Eumee beside you is not enough."
I clench my fist after hearing that.
So the reason why Eumee is being so protective of me all this time is because of grandmother?
And now she thinks like she's worthless.
But what can I do? Grandmother is still the one who rule the family.
I am her successor but she hasn't pass it on me yet so I don't have much power in me to oppose her.
"Mother, I think that is too much."
Si Aunt Lenora ang nagsalita.
"They are kids. Kids are supposed to have fun."
"Fun? If they don't take care of themselves, they will end up being dead. Magpasalamat pa nga siya at hindi naisipan ni Mama na i-home school siya."
Nanatiling nakayuko ang ulo ko at nakikinig lang sa kanila.
It's all my fault.
If I hadn't been so careless.... this wouldn't happen.
"I'm sorry."
Halos pabulong lang na sabi ko pero kaagad niyong napatigil ang lahat.
"I am careless and I didn't think of my own safety. It's all my fault. I deserve this—"
"No."
Kaagad na pagpapatigil sa akin ni Auntie.
"It's never been your fault Elixxir. If you are not here, this wouldn't happen. If they take care of you well, this wouldn't happen."
She looks really angry now.
An emotion I never wish to see in her face.
Because she is scary when she is angry.
"So where are all this talk going now Lenora?"
Grandmother said.
Hinarap niya siya at kaagad na sumagot sa kaniya.
"I am saying that I will take him. With me."
Kaagad kong iniangat ang ulo para tingan siya.
She is smiling when our eyes met.
I thought I will see her scary eyes but not.
Her facial expression is soft. She really care about me.
"You can't do that!"
Halos pasigaw na sabi ni Lola.
"I have him under my custody. He is my son."
"On papers."
Pagtatama sa kaniya ni Lola.
"Still mine. So mine to care too right? And I am not saying this to have your approval mother. I will take him no matter what you say. I'll do whatever I feel is right."
That is how the conversation went.
And in a snap of a finger, before I even absorb everything that has happened, I am standing infront of the Manse De Nel.
"Seriously? Auntie I thought you care for me? Why here of all places?"
I shout in small voice.
She is walking so fast and I am just trying to keep up.
"This is the most safest place for you in this world Elixxir. You'll be fine here. No restrictions too."
Well, I am glad to hear that.
"But it's my brother's building. I can't live here."
I argued.
Narating na namin ang elevator at paakyat na sa ika-labing isang palapag.
"You can. You're brother is not even free to go home. Doctors don't have time."
"But you are here, with me."
She look at me like she is saying that "don't be stupid."
I didn't say anymore.
I just continue following her while holding my baggage.
"There, room 1218, enjoy your stay."
Sabi niya na akala mo ay isang real estate agent.
"Wait, Auntie come and join me for a coffee before you go."
"Hah, I'd love to Elix but my superiors are distraught righ now, I need to go."
She just left just like that.
Nakakunot naman ang noo ko nang pumasok sa loob ng unit ko.
She has superiors? Doesn't she own the whole hospital.
She stands as the biggest of them all.
Pagpasok ko sa loob ay kaagad kong iniayos ang mga damit ko habang hinihintay ang inorder ko na pagkain para sa hapunan ko.
Pero bago pa man ako matapos sa pagliligpit ay mayroon ng tumatawag sa telepono ng unit ko.
Must be the front desk.
As my Auntie said, the whole place is secured and safe.
Also, remember what I said when I last went here, oh well, it feels like yesterday.
Most of the person who owns the units here are well-known and rich.
It depends on the floor. But even though my brother owns the building I am still on the eleventh. And my brother's unit is a floor below mine.
What a rule breakers. But well, it is a good thinking to put me in this floor. Because if I had been on the last floor, I am afraid I might get tired of running downstairs when it's time for emergencies.
11th floor is already a hassle. I can't imagine being on the 20th.
Nang sagutin ko ang tawag ay kaagad na bumati ang staff sa front desk. Tungkol na sa inorder ko na pagkain.
They say they can't let te delivery man in kaya naman staff nalang din ang aakyat para ihatid ang pagkain ko at kuhanin sa akin ang bayad.
"Sir, the next time you need food, you must go downstairs. We have our own restaurant inside the building. No need for deliveries outside."
Napakamot ako sa ulo sa hiya matapos na mapagsabihan ng staff na umakyat para ihatid ang ipina-deliver ko.
He is an old one, I've never seen him here before. He has this stance that makes him look like he is strict. He has a mustache and is a tall and skinny man.
"Uh... yes, I'm sorry. I just think the restaurant is too far. I am also new here, I am still shy about meeting other people."
He nodded understandingly.
"Well, you can call the staffs on the restaurant sir. They also deliver food in every units."
Iniabot niya sa akin ang card na may nakasulat na numero.
Even though it is just a piece of writing, it is still classy.
The letters are well-written an there is no wrinkle in any part of the white paper.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome sir."
Nang umalis na ang staff ay kaagad kong isinarado ang pinto ng unit ko.
Kakalipat ko lang minutes ago, I don't really know anything about this place in terms of rules and regulations.
Bumibisita lang naman kasi ako dito dati. And until the last time.
I never experience living here!
Bumuntong-hininga ako at sinimulan ng ilipat ang pagkain sa plato at mangkok.
Pagkatapos ay inihain ko iyon sa lamesa.
"First time eating alone."
Halos pabulong na sabi ko sa sarili.
Nagsisimula palang ako na kumain ay nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula sa kung sino.
I couldn't answer it the first time because my phone is in the Salas and I am in the dining table.
Bit on the second call, I answered.
It's Auntie.
"How's your new environment? You are okay right?"
I can hear other people blabbering around her.
She is now on duty, I don't know why she needs to call me.
"Don't worry. I am definitely,"
Hindi ko kaagad naituloy ang sinasabi nang maglibot ang paningin ko sa loob ng bahay.
No signs of other people. Nakakapanibago.
"Masasanay din po ako."
Natahimik siya sa kabilang linya.
I thought she already ended the call but not.
"Auntie–"
"I'm sorry I need to do this."
"It's okay Auntie. I am okay."
"You are not. I know how much you feel right now. It's hard to just change from oe place to another. Lalo pa at nasanay ka ng nakatira sa una. But I can't give you back to them. I can't take seeing you in that state again. Your mom will kill me in heaven."
We both laugh remembering my mom.
Well, if she was here— no, if both of them were here, this will never going to happen.
"Don't be so quiet. Have you eaten yet? Let's eat together."
Tiningnan ko ang pagkain sa harapan ko at nagdadalawang-isip pa bago sumagot sa kaniya.
"I am.... eating."
"Right, then eat well. School is starting soon right? Prepare your self and get a lot of rest."
"Mmm. Thank you Auntie. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Elixxir."
She ended the call.
After that I finish what I am eating. Then took a bath, then lay on my bedroom.
But I can't seem to sleep. That's why I went out of my room and went to the balcony.
"It is really high up here."
And breathtakingly beautiful.
The lights in the city can be seen from here.
You can also see how the houses and the buildings are arranged.
It is like looking at the top view of the box.
When I get tired watching the city I decided to go to bed and read a book before I went to sleep.
It's been a really great help these days because I can't really sleep well.
Music helps a lot too.
But most of the time— everytime I don't want to remember anything that is happening in my reality, I just pick up my book and read it.
Currently I am reading a romance story. About a bully who fell in love with his victim.
Yeah I know, it is one of those cliché that you can read in almost every books in the world. But I'd say it's fun reading this.
Because it is not just romance, it is also about people's lives and the society.
It is such a good read.
Though the whole story is a roller-coaster ride. I am sure people will enjoy it reading.
After reading I fell asleep. And when I wake up the ext morning, everything hit me.
I am living alone now.