myluckyheartstories

♪ Chapter 36: Puzzle Out

Jane’s POV

Mabilis kong kinuha iyong Iced tea ko at uminom doon. Bakit ba kasi ako kinakabahan?!

Si kuya, ayun. Walang pakialam at nagpatuloy lang sa pagkain samantalang ako, nakakadalawang subo pa lang sa lasagna ko pero parang gusto ko na lang balutin iyon at sa pad na lang magpatuloy.

“Hey,” pagkuha niya sa atensyon ko habang kumukuha ng isang upuan sa katabing table namin. Bago siya umupo ay nakipag fist bump muna siya kay kuya na magiliw naman nitong tinanggap.

Tinapunan ko lang siya ng tingin at ngumiti bago mabilis na bumagsak ang mga mata ko sa lasagna. I inwardly groaned. This.Is.So.Not.Me. Kapag kasama ko siya parang hindi na ako mapakali. Pero nang nagkwento si kuya kanina tungkol sa pinag-usapan nilang dalawa tungkol sa akin, wala na! Lumala lang ako! I don’t know how I’m going to act in front of him. Should I just put an act that I didn’t know what he’s up to? Should I just pretend that this day never happened?

“Okay ka na?” pagtatanong niya na pansamantalang nagpatila sa mga tanong na sunod-sunod na nabubuo sa utak ko.

Tumango ako habang hinahati ng tinidor iyong kinakain ko. “Yeah.”

Ramdam na ramdam ko mula sa kinauupuan ko kung paano niya akong titigan. God! Why’s he staring at me?

“You seem off. May masakit ba sa’yo?” pangungulit pa niya.

Si kuya naman ay biglang natawa. “Kinuwento ko sa kanya ‘yung sinabi mo sa akin kanina.” at umiling-iling. Mabilis ko naman siyang tinitigan ng masama.

Tumingin kaagad sa akin si Geff nang marinig iyon galing kay kuya. “Oo. Sinabi ko nga ‘yon. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nahihiya siya,” dagdag pa ni kuya.

“Kuya!” sigaw ko sa kanya dahil sa inis ko. Ang sarap niyang batuhin! Inosente naman siyang tumingin sa akin. “Ano? Totoo naman ‘yung sinasabi ko.” at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. What the hell is his problem?!

Nakita ko sa gilid ng mga mata ko ang paghilig ni Geff sa table kaya naman napatingin ako sa kanya. Kagat-kagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi niya at nagpipigil sa pagngiti. Mabilis na umakyat ang dugo ko sa ulo ko. Pero imbis na pansinin iyon ay kumunot ang noo ko, trying my very best to look pissed. “Bakit ka natatawa? Nothing’s funny.”

“You’re funny.” at natawa na siya nang tuluyan. “Bakit ka naman nahihiya?”

“‘Cause it’s the first time some guy had the guts to date her,” natatawa ring utas ni kuya, halatang nang-aasar ang kumag.

Tumaas ang kilay ko dahil doon. “Sino namang nagsabi? Alex courted me years back, kung nalilimutan mo.”

Biglang natahimik ang dalawa. Good.

Tumikhim si Geff. “You’re both young at that age. I bet that was just a poor attempt on his part.” Tiningnan ko siya at nakita ang kaseryosohan sa mukha niya. The heck?

“Well...” Jeez... ano bang pwedeng sabihin? Bakit ba kasi ako pinapahiya ni kuya sa harap ni Geff?! And for pete’s sake pinagkakaisahan nila si Alex! Ni wala ngang kaalam-alam ‘yung taong ‘yon na siya na ang pinag-uusapan namin. “... if that was the case, that was the best poor attempt for me. He made me feel how worthy I am at masaya ako ‘nung mga panahong ‘yon.”

Lalong sumimangot si Geff. Si kuya naman ang nalolokong nakatingin sa akin. “Weh? Niligawan ka ba ‘nun? I thought naglalaro lang kayo kasama sila Al at Darren.”

Napatigil ako sa paghiwa ng lasagna ko. Kumunot ang noo ko. Anong sinabi niya?

“Darren?” pagtatanong ko kay kuya. Tumingin din siya sa akin na tila naguguluhan din. “What? Hindi mo pa rin ba alam hanggang ngayon?”

“Ang alin?” Tiningnan ko rin si Geff kung alam ba niya ang tinutukoy ni kuya pero seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay kuya.

“Seriously?” paninigurado pa ni kuya. Humalukipkip ako sa harapan niya. “Ano ba kasi ‘yon? Anong meron kay Darren?” Ayaw pa kasi niyang sabihin.

“He’s your Lulu.” Umiling-iling siya, tila hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa akin. “I can’t believe you actually didn’t notice the resemblance. Isang tingin ko pa lang sa kanya ay alam kong siya na ‘yung kababata natin noon.”

Nalaglag ang panga ko. Nanahimik ako sandali at inalala ang mukha ng batang si Lulu at ang kasalukuyang si Darren. Ibinuka ko ang bibig ko para magsalita pero walang lumabas kahit isang salita.

Nagpatuloy na si kuya sa pagkain. Malapit na nga siyang matapos pero halos wala pang nagagalaw sa pagkain ko.

Biglang inayos ni Geff iyong tinidor na inabanduna ko sa gilid ng plato ko. “Eat,” utos niya.

I unconsciously lift the fork. “Grabe. Bakit ba hindi ko napansin?”

“You’re just too oblivious about those people around you,” mahina niyang sambit.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Nakokonsensya ako! Ibig sabihin kilala na ako ni Darren simula pa lang pero hindi ko man lang siya nakilala! Naalala ko na ngayon iyong una naming pagkikita. Natumba ako mula sa pagba-bike ko noon at siya ang tumulong sa akin. Nagpakilala siya bilang Darren at laking gulat ko pa nga noon dahil  kilala niya ako.

Marahas na kinuha ni Geff iyong tinidor ko mula sa kamay ko pero masyadong malalim ang iniisip ko para mapansin pa iyon. I was surprised though when I saw Geff holding a spoonful of lasagna in front of me. “Eat,” utos niyang muli at mukhang iritado na siya sa akin dahil hindi nanaman maipinta ang mukha niya.

Mabilis kong tiningnan si kuya at nakitang wala siyang pakialam sa mundo. I rolled my eyes at wala nang ginawa kung hindi ang kainin iyong isinubo niya sa akin. Nagulat naman ako nang ngumiti siya. Grabe, ang babaw naman ng kaligayahan nito.

“Kailangan ba talaga susubuan ka pa para kumain?” panunuya niya.

“Akin na nga!” sabay hablot doon sa tinidor. “Sino ba kasing may sabing subuan mo pa ako?”

“Bakit kasi hindi ka na lang kumain? Kanina mo pa pinaglalaruan ‘yang pagkain mo.” Ngumuso ako. Well... he’s right. Inatake nanaman ako ng konsensya at naalala iyong madalas sabihin sa akin ni mom. “Eat your food well and don’t play with it.”

Huminga ako ng malalim at kumain na lang. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang katabi kong wagas kung tumitig. Parang bawat kilos ko ay binabantayan niya.

Mapayapa naman kaming natapos ni kuya sa pagkain. Palabas na kaming tatlo sa cafeteria nang nagpaalam siya.

“Alis na ako, Jay. May pupuntahan pa ako.” May kung ano namang bumagsak sa akin. I thought ihahatid ako ni kuya sa pad namin. Halos ilang araw na kasi kaming hindi nakakapag-usap ng masinsinan nitong kuya ko kaya ang buong akala ko ay magsi-stay siya sa amin.

Wala naman akong nagawa at tumango na lamang. Mukhang napansin ni kuya ang pagbagsak ng mood ko kaya naman mabilis siyang dumalo sa akin at hinalikan ako sa noo. “You know I can’t stay with you and Al tonight. Busy kami ngayon. You know why.”

Nagpout ako. “Alam ko naman ‘yon.” Yumuko si kuya para makita ng malinaw ang mukha ko. Medyo yumuko kasi ako. Lumapat ang kamay niya sa buhok ko at ginulo iyon. Hinampas ko iyong kamay niya.

“Kuya!” at humalakhak siya. “Don’t forget to drink your meds if your hand bothers you, alright?” Tumango na lang ako na parang masunuring bata.

“Ikaw nang bahala kay Jay,” bilin naman niya kay Geff. Muntik ko nang malimutan na may kasama pala kaming dalawa.

“Sure,” maikling sagot niya. Nagpaalam na si kuya at naglakad na palayo.

“Tara na,” aya sa akin ni Geff at nauna nang naglakad. Tahimik na lang akong sumunod sa kanya.

Habang naglalakad ay napatingin ako sa likod niya. He has these broad shoulders. He’s not actually thin or bulky. Siguro kung sa isang tingin ay iyon ang mapapansin ng tao but when I got this opportunity to look at him longer, the way he walks, parang model. His arms are strong and his body is well-built. Nagji-gym kaya ang isang ‘to? Most guys do that stuff. Then... perhaps he has something to be proud of behind that shirt?

Mabilis kong naihilamos sa mukha ko ang mga kamay ko. What am I thinking?!

Halos matumba naman ako nang tumama ako sa kung anong matigas na bagay. Nabato ako nang may maramdaman akong humawak sa magkabilang bewang ko.

“Wala ka nanaman sa sarili mo,” puna ni Geff na nasa harapan ko. Sa kanya pala ako tumama kanina. Mabilis akong lumayo. Doon ko lang napagtanto kung nasaan kami.

“Bakit tayo nasa parking lot ng school?” Ang akala ko kasi ay magko-commute lang kami na madalas naming gawin ni Al.

Nagkibit-balikat lang siya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Napapansin ko na parati na lang siyang nauunang maglakad. Di ba dapat babae ang gano’n? Napaka-ungentleman naman. Pero kung iisipin, dapat naman talaga na siya ang maunang maglakad kasi malay ko ba kung saan kami pupunta at nasa parking lot kami di ba? Pero sana liitan lang niya ‘yung mga hakbang niya.

Sumunod na lang ako sa kanya ng walang imik. Hindi rin ako nag-effort na bilisan ang paglalakad ko dahil ako lang ang mapapagod.

Lumiko siya sa isang sasakyan at nilingon ako. Nalukot nanaman ang mukha niya nang nakitang ang layo ko pa sa kanya. Nang nakalapit na ako ay pinagmasdan ko ang kabuuan ng sasakyang nasa harapan niya.

Don’t tell me kanya ‘to! Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kabuuan nito at nagtagal ang mata ko sa pangalan ng sasakyan. It’s a Ford! A freaking Ford Everest!

“Sa’yo ‘to?” hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong magtanong.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay at pilyong ngumiti. “Kanino pa ba sa tingin mo?” Grabe, ang yabang. Siya na!

I’m not really into cars but I have two guys in my life na mahilig doon. At alam na alam kong milyon ang halaga ng isang ganito. God. Men and their money.

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan sa tabi ng driver’s seat. Nag-aalangan pa akong pumasok. “Geff, pwede namang magcommute na lang—”

“I have a car, Jane. I can drop you off anywhere.” Napaisip pa ako. Hindi naman kasi ako sanay na makisakay sa sasakyan ng iba! To think na dalawa lang kami. Syempre ibang usapan naman iyong pakikisabay namin nila Al at kuya sa sasakyan nila Darren noon papuntang Manila. This is also a very different scenario. Very, very different.

Tinulak kaagad ako ni Geff papasok sa sasakyan niya nang akmang tatalikuran ko na siya. “Don’t think of any excuses. Don’t you know you’re insulting me?” Akala ko pa nga ay isasara na niya ang pintuan pero laking gulat ko nang mabilis niyang inilapit sa akin ang mukha niya. He’s literally invading my personal space! Tumigil ako sa paghinga.

Hanggang sa narinig ko ang isang mahinang click. Parang nabuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig at mabilis na lumayo si Geff sa akin habang tumatawa. Sinara niya ang pintuan sa gilid ko at umikot papunta sa kabila. Hindi pa rin ako nakakaget-over sa nangyari. Syete naman kasi eh! Bakit ba ang hilig niyang ilapit yang pagmumukha niya sa akin! Nakita ko iyong seatbelt na maayos na nakapaikot sa akin. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at pinakalma ang puso ko. Calm down, heart. Calm down.

Tumatawa pa rin siya nang pumasok siya sa loob. “Ano ba kasing akala mong gagawin ko at halos mamula ‘yang mukha mo?”

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. “You invaded my personal space you idiot! Sinong babae ang hindi maaapektuhan?!” Kakairita ‘tong lalaking ‘to! Pati ba naman ‘yon ay hindi pa niya alam at kailangan pang magtanong?

“Then, bakit nang ang lalaking ‘yon ang nang-invade ng personal space mo ay hindi ka naman namula?” Pilyo pa rin siyang nakangiti sa akin. Kumunot ang noo ko.

“Ibang usapan naman kasi si Alex—”

“Ibang usapan talaga siya. At alam mo ba kung anong ibig sabihin ‘non?” Ano nanaman bang gustong ipaglaban nito?

Inilapit nanaman niya ang mukha niya sa akin pero hindi na kasing-lapit tulad nang kanina. Seryoso siyang tumingin sa akin. “I have that effect on you that he doesn’t and will never have.” Nakita ko ang paggalaw ng adam’s apple niya at ang pagbagsak ng mga mata niya sa labi ko. Mabilis naman niyang ibinalik ang tingin sa mga mata ko. “You have feelings for me and don’t you dare deny it. I can see it clearly in your eyes.” Mabilis na kumalampag ang puso ko sa dibdib ko. Hindi nga ako sigurado kung naririnig niya iyon dahil sa lapit niya sa akin at sa sobrang tahimik dito sa loob ng sasakyan niya. “Knowing we’re on the same page got me more determined to make you fall for me... harder... deeper, ‘yung tipong hindi ka na makakaahon dahil lunod ka na sa akin. Gustuhin mo mang makaahon, hindi mo na magagawa.”

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Raph’s POV

I am on high spirits today because of earlier. Hours had passed pero hindi man lang nabawasan ang sayang nararamdaman ko. It seemed ages ago that I felt this kind of happiness. I missed my sister’s smile, laughter, face... just... everything about her makes me happy. Ang sarap maging kuya. But of course knowing the fact that I can’t do the same with my other baby sister got my mood drop down.

But damn, kahit gano’n, I’m glad I was able to make Angel happy and made her felt how it was having a brother beside her. I’m sure she was feeling the same way hours ago.

I am currently driving when I felt the urge to look at Angel. She’s fidgeting.

“Are you okay? Is something bothering you?” Mukha kasing hindi siya mapakali. I just silently hoping she didn’t noticed my almost desperate plea earlier for her to come with me this time of the day and made her cut her class. I have to do it. I have to. I must believe that.

She showed me her good-natured smile. I missed that. “Hindi lang ako sanay na sumakay sa mga magagarang sasakyan. Feeling ko kasi ay may masisira ako dito sa loob konting galaw ko lang.”

I laughed at her. “I am your brother and you should be used with the idea now.” I looked at her, smiled, and then looked at the road again. I can’t risk having my sister being driven by a foolish driver of a brother. I need to drive as safely as I can. “I own this car; you’re my sister, so stop making yourself uncomfortable,” I added.

She pursed her lips, obviously trying her very best not to laugh. My brows furrowed. Is there something about what I said that she find amusing? “Why are you...?” I can’t help myself but to smile when I saw Angel’s face. She’s like this little cute child who was caught doing something wicked. Then unexpectedly, she burst out laughing. “What?” I exclaimed, trying so hard to sound offended but yeah, you know I failed.

“Naalala kong nalimutan ko palang magdala ng tissue.” she said while smiling. I was lost. “So... do you need one?” I looked at the road while contemplating what she’d said. Is it a girl thing? “I guess there’s a 7eleven at the gasoline station when we round this corner—” she mockingly laughed again.

“Ang slow mo talaga,” was what she said. I really don’t understand her. What’s with the tissue?

Her words defeated me. “Alright. You’re making fun of me.” She laughed again. I will never get tired of listening to it. “Spill the thing about that tissue.” Ano ba kasing tissue yan?

She rolled her eyes at me. “Spokening dollars ka kasi lagi kapag magkasama tayo. Ang sakit na kaya sa ilong!” then she doubled-over from laughter. She got me flabbergasted there. Then I understood. “Uhh... mas gusto mo bang nagsasalita ako ng tagalog?” I remembered Iona chastising me about this very same topic. Hindi daw uso ang mga spokening dollars dito sa Pilipinas. I was like, what the hell was ‘spokening dollars’?! Raph gaped at me that his eyes almost looked like they will popped-out of their sockets when I asked him about that term. I told him I can’t find it in the internet, made my research about it.

And now, Angel told me about this too. I sigh.

“Okay. Kung gusto mong magsalita ako ng Filipino then so be it,” I said. Kung iyon lang ang makapagpapasaya sa kapatid ko, then iyon ang gagawin ko. Everything for her.

“Mas sanay lang talaga ako at kumportable kapag tagalog ‘yung ginagamit natin.” she told me. “Pakiramdam ko kasi ang layo ng agwat natin sa isa’t isa kapag gano’n. Tulad ng mga kaibigan ko. Pero kahit gano’n ang nararamdaman ko minsan, thankful pa rin ako dahil totoo sila.” Something about what she said made my heart twitch. I shouldn’t forget that although she’s my sister, 8 long years without her real family beside her impacted her deeply.

“I understand,” I murmured instinctively which earned me a cute glare from Angel. I laughed at her. “I mean... naiintindihan ko.” Damn. I should get used to this.

“‘Yan! Kaya mo naman pala eh!”

We went to a nearby mall. I actually insisted for us to go at a park pero mapilit siya. May gusto raw kasi siyang tingnan sa National Bookstore and of course her wish is my command and I let her lead the way. When we got there, her eyes lit up as she strolled down the aisles of the bookshelves. I cautiously walked behind her as I don’t want to disturb any reunion that’s taking place here. I smiled at the thought. At least this part of her didn’t change. Both Miracle and Angel loved books but Miracle was more into music.

“Tara!” she delightedly squealed. My brows furrowed. “Wala kang nagustuhang books?” I uncertainly asked. I saw no books on her hands but I just saw earlier how every book she saw made her glow.

She pouted. “Mag-iipon muna ako bago ko mabili ‘yung mga ‘yon.” Her gaze became inward. “Sana nga lang  ay makaipon kaagad ako. Baka maubusan kasi ako ng copy!”

“Just grab anything you want. I’ll buy it for you,” I said. I want Angel to feel happy today and I guess those books will do the job.

Her eyes went wide. “Hala! ‘Wag na! Tara na kuya, dali!” she insisted while taking hold of my arm. She shoved me out of the bookstore.

Kuya. Ang sarap lang pakinggan.

After the book argument — I kept on insisting that I’ll buy her books but in the contrary, she wouldn’t let me — we went to the Jollibee. Masarap daw ang mga pagkain dito most especially their spaghetti. I just nodded at her though I can’t help myself but to be wary around the food chain.

“Kuya, ‘wag mo sabihing first time mo lang dito.” Lumiit ang mga mata niya habang pinagmamasdan ako. I put my arms in front of me and attempted to sound nonchalant. “Uhh... oo.”

Angel seemed not surprised about my revelation. She was the one who ordered our food. When we were currently eating, she started throwing questions at me.

“Kuya,” she called while she chewed her food. I took my hankie from my pocket and cleaned her face. “Ang kalat mong kumain,” puna ko. She wasn’t bothered by my quip though. I sigh. This can’t be helped. I have to answer all of her questions.

“Paano nangyari ‘yung aksidente? I mean, may mga tao bang galit sa pamilya natin?” she inquiringly looked at me.

Then I told her everything I think she should know. I have no idea who might be the person or people who have resentment against us Yllanas but I do have a person in mind. Angel was with our mom and dad that night then unexpectedly, our dad was shot straight to his heart. The car hit a big tree then it exploded. With some miracle, Angel got the opportunity to get out of the car before the blast occurred. All the bodies are unrecognizable the next day. There was this body of a child with the same size of Angel inside the car so we all thought it was her. I don’t have a clue about the story behind it given that Angel was alive.

“Hindi ko pa rin maalala ‘yun,” she told me when I finished recounting that dark past. She looked so gloomy. I know what she’s feeling right now. Who wouldn’t feel that way when you encountered that first hand, in front of you? “Ang naaalala ko lang ay iyong malakas na tunog galing sa labas ng sasakyan... tapos... ang mga sigaw ni mom... umikot-ikot ‘yung sasakyan hanggang sa bumangga kami.” I clenched my hands as I listen to her. “Punong-puno ng dugo ‘yung mukha ni mom pero sinigawan pa rin niya ako na lumabas daw ako ng sasakyan.” Humina na ang boses niya nang sabihin niya iyon. I saw how a teardrop from her eye flowed down her cheek.

“Stop,” I firmly said.

After we ate, we decided to go at the park to breathe some fresh air. She talked a lot about her friends, about this special friend of hers. Jane Alvarez. I kept my cool as I listened to her.

Unpredictably, she asked me about Geoffrey Mendez.

“Kaibigan ng pamilya natin ang pamilya nila.” She was told by Geff about our parent’s arrangement with those two so I just fill her up with those things that he hadn’t told her yet. I also told her about Jayvier, about her life when she was still a child, about our father, mother...

... but I can’t tell her about her twin. I can’t risk it.

A question was formed in my mind. “Nililigawan ka ba ng Mendez na ‘yon?” I know that guy can be trusted. I’ve known him since we were still young and I guess those 8 long years hadn’t changed him. Maybe a bit but not entirely. I know he has a lot of questions for me either, like Angel, but at least I can tell him everything. Yeah. I trust him that much that I can risk our family’s secret with him, together with Nathan Alvarez.

She blushed. Oh, right. She likes him. “H-Hindi ah! Magkaibigan lang kami.”

“Gustong-gusto ka ng lalaking ‘yun noong mga bata pa tayo,” I reminded her.

“Alam ko. Pero magkaibigan lang talaga kami,” she claimed.

My happiness seems short lived. Masyado pa akong maraming dapat isipin.

My thoughts about Angel were interrupted when someone knocked on my office’s door. I wasn’t surprised though to see Nathan and Geff outside when I opened the door.

“Come in.” I gestured for them to take the seat around the coffee table. I sit across them.

“I’m expecting you know now the reason why I asked your presence tonight.” I expectantly looked at Geff. He leaned his elbows in front of him, his fingers under his chin. “Have no idea here, really.”

Okay. Figures. Here goes nothing.

“Angel is alive,” I said, matter-of-factly.

“Yeah. I know that now.” He suspiciously looked at Nathan. “What does the topic about Angel have to do with Nathan?”

I heaved a sigh. “Alright. Listen to me very carefully Geff Mendez.” He shifted on his seat, obviously noticing the seriousness in my tone.

“I don’t know but I got this eerie feeling about that.” Oh, Geff, you have no idea how bizarre all this is.

“Our family has a big secret. And I intend to keep that secret as long as I can but things had changed and there are some... repercussions I need to deal with.” I looked at him seriously. “For me to be able to deal with them appropriately, I need to consider you to my team with Nathan Alvarez.”

“I still don’t get it,” he said as he runs a hand through his hair. “Why do you need me? I mean—” He seemed lost for words. “Do you trust me enough that you can tell me your family’s secret even though it had been just days since we saw each other? What does this have to do with me?” He then shot me a look. Seems like he finally got my message. “It’s not just about your family, right?” A smile was formed on his face but it was far from a normal one. “It’s more about Angel,” he said it not as a question, but a confirmation. “You trust me because you know I have a strong will to protect her.”

I slowly nod. He nearly got it... but not entirely.

“You’re missing the most important part of this all.” I was lost in thought. “Angel has less involvement with this matter but of course, she’s part of it.”

“I do know that there is someone out there who wants to hurt you and Angel.”

I nodded at him again. He’s pretty quick.

“Do you know what happened to our family 8 years ago?” I asked him. Since that night, I cut off all my connections with other people, including Geff in the list, until I got recovered from the trauma. I haven’t heard from him since.

He looks guarded. “My parents told me that Tito Alfonso and Tita Angeline died from a car accident and that all the Yllana siblings will be brought to the States to recover.” He sigh. Distress was written all over his features.  “You didn’t even contact me.”

“We shouldn’t contact anyone,” I said.

“So...” He’s obviously being careful with his words.

“And you’re wrong. Your parents were wrong. The news was all wrong.” I need to tell him all of this. “Our parents died not because of a car accident but because there’s someone who shot my father with a gun which led them to the accident. Hindi na nakontrol ni dad ang manibela kaya hinayaan niya na lang iyong bumangga sa isang puno.”

“And this is connected with our recent encounter with Jane’s captors. Alam naming may ginawa rin sila kay Angel pero hindi naman siya nagsasabi sa amin ng kahit ano,” Nathan finally said after being silent for a couple of minutes.

I saw the glint of anger in Geff’s eyes. “Bakit nasangkot dito si Jane? Anong kinalaman niya sa kanila?” he demanded.

Nathan looked at me meaningfully. I sigh. I need to lie with this part. “Jane’s the closest friend Angel has, that’s why.”

Geff let out a sarcastic laugh. “Kaya naisip nila na baka magamit nila si Jane para mapalabas si Angel? Is that it? Pero bakit pa nila kailangang gawin ‘yon ngayong alam na nila kung sino si Angel?” He’s breathing hard, anger overwhelming him.

“That... I don’t know.” Damn.

“I think pinaglaruan lang nila tayo. More like threatening us. Siguro ay gusto rin nilang ipaalam sa atin na alam nilang buhay nga si Angel. Kaya ko nalaman kung nasaan si Jane nang gabing ‘yon ay dahil sa isang anonymous message,” Nathan slowly said. I know this already. “Sinabi rin sa akin ni Al na may nareceive na message si Jane nang araw ding ‘yon kaya siya umalis at pumuntang South West building,” he added.

“Jane was locked up in a cabinet when I saw her. Then, nakatanggap din ako ng isang anonymous message. It contained the code for the cabinet’s lock.”

I nodded, contemplating all the information.

“They got me fooled too,” I added. “They have control inside Oswald then they manipulated all the automated clocks there which gave Angel’s location away. They obviously gave me a clue. And according to what we saw in the control room...” I said as I looked at Geff. “... Angel got a message too though we didn’t know what the message was.”

“It only means malapit lang sila sa atin. They have a damn advantage here since hindi natin sila kilala pero kilala nila tayo,” Nathan grumbled under his breathe.

“Why are you here?” Geff asked Nathan out of pure curiosity.

I answered in his behalf. “I trust him.”

He simply nodded. This guy seems to be too mysterious to my liking. I can’t give any meaning behind his face expressions, his tone, his gestures...

I can’t predict him.

“All this things considered, I guess you have someone in mind. Someone whom you think actually planned this everything out.”

This.Guy.Is.A.Quick-thinker. He got me.

“Yeah. I do have someone in mind. And I think you know him very well.”

That earned me a questioning look from Geff. “Who?”

I said the name of the guy. I said it, devoid of emotions. “Levi Ramirez...

... our mom’s ex-husband.”

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