I often ask for help. Hindi dahil sa mataas ang tingin ko sa sarili ko kundi dahil ayaw kong maka-abala ng ibang tao.
I don't want to be a burden to anybody. Ayaw kong problemahin nila ang problema ko that's why I'm keeping all my problems to myself but this time I know I can't do it alone. I need someone's help.
Today's Friday at bukas kami magkikita ni Lennox. I've been trying to call and text Estella but she's not answering her phone.
Nasa tapat na ako ng classroom at hinihintay si Estella nang nakita ko siya kasama sila Lyle. They're laughing and walking together. So they're friends now?
"S, I've been trying to text and call you but you're not answering your phone. What is wrong with you?" I hissed.
"Hey, Letizia! Uhm... Baka kaya she's not answering her phone kasi she's been busy hanging around with us." Lyle sarcastically said.
I rolled my eyes and looked at Estella.
"Shut up, Lyle. We need to talk, Blair." Estella said with a cold voice.
And in just a swift Lyle and her friends walked inside our room.
"Estella, why are you....avoiding....me?
D—don't you deny it!" I whispered.
"B—Blair. What? I...I am not avoiding you! Actually I am worried that—that you are mad at me because I—I am not willing to help you about Tito Lienzo's case. I thought you're mad..at.. me." I can sense the nervousness on her voice.
Ano? Ako galit sa kanya? No!
"Hey, S. I am not mad at you. Siguro nagtampo lang ako pero hindi ako galit sa'yo. I will never be mad at you. You are my best friend and cousin how can I be mad at you?"
She stiffened for a bit.
"A—Are you sure? Akala ko galit ka sa akin. Hinahanap kita noong isang araw pero nakita ko sumakay ka na sa kotse niyo. So ang akaka ko galit ka. I am sorry, B. Nag-aalala lang ako sa'yo kaya hindi ako pumayag na gawin natin 'yon." She shivered.
"It's okay, S. It's okay. Hindi ako galit sa'yo." I assured her.
"Thank you, B. Huwag mo na ituloy 'yon huh? Mapapahamak ka at di ba ayaw ni Tita na ire-open ang case ni Tito? Kaya huwag na, Zia. Accept it and move on."
What? Hindi ko itutuloy? Ngayon pa na tutulungan ako ni Lennox? No! I'm doing this! With or without their consent.
"Yes. I won't do it anymore." I said and looked away.
And yes, I lied to her.
"Right. Tara na sa room. I missed you! Hays." She announced and grab my hand.
We went inside and I was shocked when Lennox Blair Montañez is seating on my chair. I cannot look at him straight. He's reading a book.
Eto na naman tayo, Letizia!
"Hey, that's my chair! Dyan sa likod ang upuan mo hindi ba? Go sit on your chair!" I yelled at him.
Hindi niya ako pinansin at nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagbabasa ng kanyang libro. I poked his shoulder once but he didn't even respond he just gave me a glare.
What the fuck? Ano problema neto? Umagang umaga binabadtrip ako. Tss
"Montañez, I said get out of my chair! Tumayo ka dyan, Lennox!" I said and slightly kicked his feet.
Pinagtinginan tuloy ako ng mga classmates ko. Pati si Stella napatingin sa akin habang pinipigilan ang tawa.
"What the hell is your problem? I said get out, Lennox!" I almost yelled at him.
Tumayo siya at humakbang palapit sa akin.
"Right. You sure you want me to seat at your back or I'll just sit beside you? Or we could just share a sit together?" He whispered at my ear but I know some of my classmates heard it.
Sumulyap ako sa paligid at nakita ko ang titig nga mga kaklase ko sa amin. Napansin ko rin ang pamimilog ng mata ni Estella.
I cleared my throat and looked at him. "Shut up, Lennox Blair! Sit on your chair. I'm not in a great mood."
"Your always not in a great mood. I know you." He clearly said with a firm voice.
Fuck! Stop it, Lennox!
"Shit! Lennox will you please stop —"
Naputol ang sasabihin ko ng pumasok na ang teacher namin.
"Good morning, class! What's the commotion over there Mr. Montañez and Ms. Abellana?"
Naalarama akong sumagot.
"Nothing sir."
"Alright! Everyone sit down."
I looked at Lennox with sharp eyes.
"Relax, B. Uupo na ako sa likod mo. I'll always have your back."
Hindi ko alam kung tungkol pa rin sa upuan ang pinag-uusapan namin o tungkol sa pagtulong niya sa akin sa case ni Dad. He's weird!
Inanunsyo ni Sir ang magaganap na Opening of Clubs next week. Patuloy ang pagsasalita niya ngunit walang pumapasok sa utak ko. Hindi maalis sa isipan ko ang eksena namin ni Lennox kanina. I'm so embarrassed! He really know how to annoy me.
Nothing important happened today. Just a short meetings lang with our teachers. Next week pa raw magsisimula ang real discusion namin.
Estella and I decided to go home. Dahil na rin siguro sa pagod namin ngayong buong linggo na 'to. I am physically tired. I want rest.
"Bye! Take care! Text me when you're home. Love ya!" She said and went inside their car.
I am still waiting for our driver. Kanina ko pa siya itinext. Bakit ang tagal naman? Hays!
"Blair"
Shit! I know that voice! Calm down, Zia!
I turned around and I saw Lennox Blair infront of me.
"Hmm?"
"I need the name of your investigator. The one who investigated your father's death." He asked with a sleepy eyes.
"Ellias Alvarado. He's our family investigator. Why?"
"Just need to check his background and his capabilities, I guess?"
"For what? I thought we'll do this without any investigator's help?"
"Yes. I am just going to check his profile. Siya muna ang pa-iimbestigahan ko. I'll call you later for updates."
He'll call me? Yes, he'll call me for updates! Umaayos ka, Zia!
"Right. Thanks!"
He said and walked away from me.
Lennox is sometimes intimidating but sometimes also gentle. Ang hirap niya basahin. Ang hirap niya pakisamahan dahil minsan mabait siya minsan naman masungit siya. I don't know how to deal with him.
Natigil ang panghuhusga ko kay Lennox ng nakita ko ang kotse namin. Agad agad akong pumasok para makauwi na.
Gabi na ng nakatanggap ako muli ng mensahe galing kay Lennox.
Lennox:
Meet me tomorrow at La Simeona. 9am
Night!
Natulog ako ng maaga dahil maaga ako bukas at dahil na rin sa pagod ko ngayong linggo na 'to.
I woke up with a smile plaster on my face. I don't know but I feel happy and excited for today.
Dumiretso ako sa banyo para maligo. I went out of the shower and my phone almost fell out of hands when Lennox texted me.
Lennox:
Are you up? Morning.
Napatulala ako at napatakip ng bibig. God! What's happening with me? Help me. Please save me, Lord!
Natawa na lang ako sa hitsura ko. What am I thinking?
Hindi ako nag-reply sa text niya. There's nothing important on what he said. He's just asking me if I'm already awake and yes I am! So no need to reply. Hays
I am wearing a gray ribbed cropped henley top and a pair of black jeans. Ayaw kong mag-effort sa damit at make-up dahil si Lennox lang naman 'yon. There's nothing special about him right? Yes! I am right!
I glanced at the mirror and put some tint on my lips.
Bumaba na ako para makakain. I saw my Mom eating on our table. Shit! Hindi pala ako nakapag-paalam na aalis ako! Sasabihin ko nalang na si Stella ang kasama ko. Surely Mom will approve.
I kissed her cheek, "Hey, Mommy! Good morning! I slept early last night nakalimutan ko mag-paalam na may lakad pala kami ni Stella. Can I go?" I nervously asked.
"Saan ang lakad niyo?" She said after drinking on his coffee.
"Uhm...I don't know... Maybe we'll go to mall or something. We didn't really plan our today's agenda. Biglaan lang kasi, Mom. Can I go? Please." I uttered with a pleasing voice.
"Right! I can't resist you. Take care of yourself!" She sighed.
Yes!
"Okay, Mom. I'll go ahead! Love you!"
"Love you too! Bye!"
I ran quickly and went to my car. I glanced at my phone and it's already 9:30 am! Gosh! I'm late!
"Nakakahiya unang pagkikita namin late pa ako." Bulong ko sa sarili ko.
Agad rin naman akong nakarating sa coffee shop. Nakita ko siya na nakaupo at nakatitig sa kanyang inumin.
Nakakahiya! Late ako!
"Hey, Lennox! Sorry late, ngayon lang kasi ako nagpaalam kay Mommy. Kanina ka pa ba?" I asked.
"Cut the excuses."
Wew! Wala na naman ba sa mood 'to? Ang sungit!
"Uh..sorry." Nahiya akong yumuko.
"I ordered you drinks and bread. Eat while I'm talking about your investigator."
Umupo na ako sa katapat niyang upuan.
"Wait! Our investigator? What about him?" I curiously asked.
"Didn't you know that he's friend with your Tito Anton? And he's an ex convict?"
My mind is still processing what he said.
"What? I—I mean he's our family investigator pero hindi niya kilala si Tito Anton. Well...siguro nagkita sila noong panahon na iniimbestigahan pa ang kaso ni Daddy pero ang alam ko hindi sila magkakilala. I remembered it clearly dahil ako pa ang nagpakilala sa kanya kay Tito Anton and ex convict? Pagkakatiwalaan ba siya ni Dad kung dati na siyang nakulong?" Tanong ko.
He just shrugged his shoulders.
"A...Are you sure? Saan mo nakuha ang inpormasyon na 'yan? Baka nagkamali ka lang." Tanong ko ulit.
Tumaas ang kilay niya sa akin.
"Iyon ang sinabi ng imbestigador ko. Kilala ko ang mga tauhan ko. I know their credentials and this is their credibility. Believe it or not but it's the truth."
"I can just ask Tito Anton about him right?" I suggested.
Umiling siya agad.
"No! You can't do that! Hindi mo pwedeng tanungin ang isang mamamatay tao kung nakapatay na ba siya ng tao. Naiintindihan mo ba ako? Hanggang walang kasiguraduhan kailangan manahimik muna tayo. Iimvestigahan natin ang lugar kung saan namatay ang Daddy mo. Iimbestigahan natin ang hospital na pinagdalhan natin sa Daddy mo. Iimbestigahan natin ang sasakyan ng Daddy mo at iimbestigahan natin kung saan huling nagpunta ang Daddy mo at iimbestigahan natin kung sino ang huling nakasama ng Daddy mo. Don't worry, I am doing my job well."
What? Mamamatay tao? Who? My Tito Anton? Is he insane?
"I'll dig more information, Blair."
Hindi pa rin maproseso sa utak ko ang mga sinabi ni Lennox. Is that even true?
Enjoy~
love, aundrea