The fresh air flashes on my face. Wala ako sa mood umuwi agad kaya naman agad akong pumunta sa restaurant ng isa sa mga naging kaibigan ko noong high school. Ipinatago ko muna ang suit case ko at saka ako nag lakad-lakad. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam ng hangin at ang lamig sa mata ng mga nag beberdehang dahon sa paligid, papalubog na ang araw kaya naman agad akong pumunta sa gazebo upang panoorin ang pag lubog nito.
"I miss you Mom and Dad."
I just say it into the wind. Hoping that they can hear it. I close my eyes as the breeze of dusk's wind embrace me.
"I'm sure they misses you more than you do honey."
a familiar voice spoke out of nowhere. He stands in front of me then give me a warm hug.
"What are you doing here Luke?"
I ask and tried to avoid his smirk.
"Ipinag tanong Kita, Deb told me that you were on field. But when I got there, you were nowhere to be found, I only found your stupid ex and his workers. Then I stopped here to have some coffee first before I continue my search for you. Fortunately, my colleague said who's your friend told me that you're here and you look so devastated."
he said and he let go of me. He sat down on the bench and sip on his coffee.
"You missed them that much?"
I nod and silence is the only in between us. We're both thinking too deep until he broke the silence.
"Bakit kasi hindi ka nalang sumama sa akin pauwi? Matutuwa si Mom and Dad kapag nakita ka nila. Ilang taon na rin ang lumipas? why don't we start forgiving each other? Tayo nalang ang natitira sa angkan natin at kapag nahanap nila Tayo, were gonna be dead too."
he said and I know what he really means.
"You know I can't do that?!"
I said and start walking to the entrance hall.
"Bakit naman hindi? dahil hindi ka pa rin na niniwala? Everything is on hold because of that! even our own Company. They try to threat us too."
he said while following me. Hiningi ko ang mga gamit ko sa bell boy at agad naman nitong ibinigay sa akin.
"Sa sobrang baba ng estado ko, do you really think that I still matters to them? don't you think that I'm not existing anymore for them?"
I ask out of frustration. Agad kong kinuha ang suit case ko at nag simula ng maglakad palabas ng restaurant.
"Don't you ever think that! Esther, you need to know something. And I think that it's not the right place to talk about this things. Besides, Wala ka na ring masasakyang taxi dito. It's not safe to be alone these times. "
he said in a serious tone.
"I can use a grab."
I said and I tried not to be affected by his dangerous look. I get my phone from my bag and tried to book for a ride, but I ain't lucky enough. He is right.
"At this state? at this time? seriously? you're not that idiot aren't you?"
he mocks but I maintain my persistence but he grab arm and drag me inside his car.
------------------
"Alam mo bang may hidden properties pa si Tito na hindi nila nakukuha?"
he said and hand me his pasta. We're now sitting at his kitchen.
"That's impossible. Everything is gone. Iyon ang sabi ng lawyer ni Daddy."
I said and take a bite. Wala akong choice kung hindi ang sumama sa bahay nito at dito mag palipas ng gabi, ayaw ko naman matulog sa kalye.
"At naniwala ka naman sa sinabi nya? Hindi ka man lang ba talaga nag imbestiga kung bakit ganyan nalang kabilis ang pag bagsak nyo? that's because of his trustees and his affiliates. Niloko lang nila tayo."
he said that makes me stop from eating. I look at him with disbelief look.
"What do you mean? anyways, kahit naman gustohin kong mag imbestiga, Wala din naman akong kakayanan dahil iligtas nga ang sarili ko sa pag kagutom ay halos hindi ko nagawa. I think mas gugustuhin ni dad na mag survive ako kaysa mamatay sa pag iimbestiga."
I said and he just frawn out of frustration.
"