Series IV: Silhouette of the Bygone pt. 4

Credits: Terrence Von Knight

Napakurap kurap ako ng biglang umalis si Tita Elizabeth habang hila hila niya si Ezekiel.

How did she knew my mom's surname?

My gaze never leave them hanggang sa unti unti silang nawala sa paningin ko. Umiling ako saka tinungo ang bolang naiwan sa damuhan at pinulot iyon.

Did I say something wrong kaya umalis si Tita Elizabeth?

I was pulled out from my deep thoughts when someone seized the ball from my hands. My forehead knotted as I took a fast look out to know who the stealer is.

I watched him as he started dribbling countlessly before carelessly throwing it to the ring.

Sa tingin niya ba papasok ang bola sa ganun kalayonh distansya?

"Umilag yung ring." My face became stolid because of his nonsense excuse.

Naglakad ako patungo sa malapit na swing at naupo dun, agad namang sumunod si steve sa'kin.

He is Steve Vernon Lestrange, magkakilala ang Dad niya ay Mommy ko. That is the reason why we became friends even though he is seven years older than me.

"Bakit ka nandito?" I asked as K gently swings.

"Dad wants to talk to Tita Therese." He said then look at my direction. "Kaya sumama na rin ako."

"I see."

"She's still doing it to you, right Terrence?" I was a bit astonish upon hearing his question. I looked down to lurk the emotions that I've been hiding to everyone.

"I'm fine." Tanging sagot ko.

"Fine? Where did you get those fresh bruises if you're really fine?" Napatingin ako sa sugat na natamo ko nang tulungan ko si Ezekiel.

"Kahapon, tinulungan ko kasi si Ezekiel kaya ako yung nasugatan." Wala sa wisyong sagot ko kay Kuya Steve. I looked at him. "O bakit?" I asked out my curiosity upon seeing his reaction.

"Ezekiel? Sinong Ezekiel?"

"Ezekiel--" napakamot ako sa ulo ng maalala kong hindi ko nakuha ang apelyido ng batang yun.

"Just Ezekiel?"

"Oo, bakit?"

His forehead creased and confusion is written all over his face as if he's trying to figure out something. "Narinig ko na kay Dad ang pangalanv yan."

Sandali rin along napaisip. I am fully aware of his father's illegal deeds. I know what kind of connection their family has.

Pero si Ezekiel? Bakit naman siya madadawit sakanila?

I was about to say something but his phone rang. Sandali syang lumayo para sagutin ang tawag.

"Kailangan na naming umalis.." he said. "..about the kid named Ezekiel, wag mo nang isipin baka kapangalan lang."

"Alright."

__________

Hapon na ng makauwi ako sa bahay. I headed my way to my mom's room. Agad na bumungad sa'kin ang ilang walang lamang bote ng alak na nagkalat sa sahig ay upos ng sigarilyo.

"Mom!" I ran towards her and helped her up. "Mommy." She's drunk again.

"Lumayo ka sa'kin!" Agad akong sumalampak sa sahig dahil sa lakas ng pagtulak niya sa'kin. Lumapit siya ay marahas na hinablot ang braso ko. Pain rushed to my whole system as she tightened her grip onto my bruised arm.

"You are the reason why he left me behind!!" Kasabay ng mas paghigpit ng hawak niya sa mga braso ko ay siya ring pagdaloy ng luha mula sa mga mata niya. "..you are the reason why he chose that Elizabeth over me!!"

Elizabeth?

Nanghihinang napaupo siya sa sahig habang patuloy na umiiyak.

"Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit nasira ang buhay ko. Kasalanan mo ang lahat ng 'to."

I wiped off the tears that ran down my cheek before leaving her room.

Is it really my fault, Mom?