Mysterious

“Very well. I can recommend someone to do the DNA test. He’s a good friend of mine, and is very efficient. A hundred accuracy result is promised.” Veronica declared, sounding determined.

“Ako na ang bahala riyan. Bukas o sa makalawa lang din malalaman ang resulta.” si Ate sa pinal na boses.

Natutop ni Veronica ang sariling labi at nag-iwas ng tingin.

“As much as possible have the results by tomorrow, hija. I don’t want to prolong this. Tell the doctor we’ll pay accordingly." Mommy said.

“Of course, Mom. Though, there is no need for a DNA test but for you, we’ll gladly give it.” ngumisi si ate. “Dapat ba nating sabihin ito kay Chaz at sa mga bata—'

“No!” Veronica snapped, cutting my sister off. “Tita, you can’t tell them. Masasaktan lang ang mga bata..aasa. The kids are already doing well. Their life is perfect now..please, let this not be the cause of their heartbreak."

I licked my dry lips. Nanginginig ako na kinailangan ko pang hawakan nang mariin ang dalawang kamay para pumirmi iyon.

“Sa atin na muna ito, darling. Saka na kapag lumabas  ang resulta.”

I felt restless. From all of the happenings, and a bit disappointed that my own parents doesn’t believe the words I said. Having a DNA test is fine with me since my intention is pure and genuine. It’s offending, but then.. if this will change everything...if this could be the way to finally be accepted then so be it. I can set aside my feelings.

“Even so, Mommy. They have the right to know about this, especially Chaz!”

“You are not telling a word to that man, Giselle. History won’t be repeat; I won’t allow it. Never again.” Dad said sternly.

His head snapped into my direction, eyes softening.

“We already made a mistake before, and we will make it right this time, hija. If she is indeed your sister...my daughter, I won’t allow that man to go near her. Both of them can co-parent, and we are here. She won’t be alone.”

Mas namungay ang mga mata ni Daddy. Nilingon nito si Mom pero agad ding binalik sa akin ang atensyon.

“My daughter was endangered because of him, now that she’s back..” umiling siya. “We already gave him our trust from the very beginning and that man took it for granted.”

“Dad naman! He regretted it! Natuto na ang tao at ilang taon na ring pinatunayan sa ating mahal na mahal niya ang kapatid ko! Let’s give him another chance!”

“Hindi ako diyos para magpatawad, Giselle. I didn’t raised her only to be mistreated by some asshat." his expression changed, eyes darkening.

Na parang ang usapang si Chaz ay nagpasiklab ng kinikimkim nitong galit. Habang si ate ay napasimangot.

“Well, Dad.. we aren’t the ones who will decide for it.” she said and winked at me. “Anyway, we’ll head upstairs first. I’ll show her room and some of our photos. Maybe she will remember something from them.”

Nang tumayo si ate at hinawakan ang pulso ko, tumayo rin si Mommy sa kinauupuan.

“C-Can I join, darling?” para pang kinakabahan si Mommy nang itanong niya ito sa kapatid ko.

"Silly, of course Mom! No need to ask," Ate Giselle giggled.

Hinigit niya ako sa marahan na paraan. She hooked her hands on my arms as we stride towards the stair. Si Mommy ay tahimik sa aming likuran, sumusunod sa amin.

“Laureen told us about you. She was frantic, telling us that the maid was hurting you. My baby doesn’t like it when she see people being hurt. She despise violence..” ate narrated, there was a proud smile on her lips.

“At nang sinabi niyang kamukha mo raw, at kapangalan pa..” nilingon niya ako, tinitigan sa mukha na tila hindi pa ring makapaniwalang kasama nila ako sa mga oras na ito.

“God, this is such a miracle.” she breath heavily.

Napangiti ako. Ramdam ko ang presensya ni Mommy sa aming likuran pero nanatili naman itong tahimik.

“You mentioned earlier about amnesia? If that’s the case then we’ll have to consult our family doctor." she said and resumed on walking.

We passed through several doors, until we stopped on a white door. Binuksan iyon ni Ate Giselle at sumunod naman kaming pumasok sa kaniya.

“Kwarto ‘to ng anak ko, you can use it for the mean time, hija..” si Mommy.

Nagkatinginan kami ni ate Giselle. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya para ipakitang maayos lang at naiintindihan kong nagdududa pa rin si Mommy.

“Thank you po,”

I didn’t dwell much on the interior design of the room as my mind started to wander on the fact that I am already a mother. Na may mga anak na ako at wala akong kaalam-alam doon.

Kahit nang ipakita sa akin ni ate Giselle ang makapal na photo album na naglalaman ng iba’t-ibang larawan ko na kasama ang pamilya at mga kaibigan, nahahati ang atensyon ko. My body was there but my mind is somewhere else.

How are they now? Ano kaya ang itsura nila? Do they looked like me or inherited the features of their father Ilang taon na kaya sila? Galit ba sila sa akin? Marami akong katanungan at uhaw sa mga kasagutan.

“Tita, diba parang sobra na ito na pati ang personal na gamit ni Sofie ay ipapakita niyo sa babaeng iyan. Hindi pa nga natin alam ang tunay na pagkatao..” I heard a voice outside the walk in closet where we’re in.

Ate decided to show me my things like clothes, my accessories, bags, even a pile of bunch documents that is all about laws and stuff like that. Si Mommy ay nasa labas at base sa boses na iyon, mukhang nasa loob din ng kwarto si Veronica.

“We have to be careful, paano kung magnanakaw pala ang babaeng iyan?” dagdag pa nito.

Ate Giselle heard it too as her face went sour. She looked at me and caress my shoulder, like mending my affected feelings.

“Hayaan mo na. Kasama naman niya si Giselle,” it was Mom.

“Lagot talaga sa akin ‘yang pinsan natin kapag mapatunayan kong kapatid kita!" Ate hissed irritably.

Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at giniya ako palabas ng walk-in closet. Naabutan naming magkatabi si Mom at Veronica sa sofa.

“The fact that they both have the same name, face, even the voice. Idagdag mo pang.. she got those scars from the accident, and the dream with us, parang sobrang coincidence naman..” pasaring na sabi ni ate na kumuha sa kanilang atensyon.

They both looked at us.

“Kailangan pa rin nating makasiguro, Giselle. Ang dali lang magaya ang mukha ng isang tao, aware rin ang madla sa naganap na aksidente noon. Opportunist people flocked nowadays, you know..” si Veronica saka ako pasaring na tinignan.

“Are we still talking about Sofia here, or yourself?” humalakhak si ate.

Nagtiim bagang si Veronica, matalim ang tingin sa kapatid ko.

“Uh.. wala naman po akong ninakaw sa loob. Kahit kapkapan niyo pa ako,” I said.

"I'm not a bad person. Pumunta lang po talaga ako rito para makasama ang pamilya ko." I added.

"You're just paranoid, Veronica. Walang mananakaw si Sofia rito dahil unang-una, pagmamay-ari niya ang lahat ng 'to." Ate defended me.

That silenced, Veronica. After a while, she went out. Nagpaalam na kikitain ang kaibigan. Like she can't bear my presence. I was then left with my sister and mother. Pinagpatuloy ni ate ang pagpapakita sa akin ng mga gamit. All of it were familiar to me, but it wasn’t enough to trigger my mind to remember.

Hindi nagtagal, kinailangan ding umalis ni ate para tignan ang mag-ama sa sarili nitong silid. Ganoon na lang ang gulat ko nang makita si Mommy sa aking tabi.

“Feel at home, hija..” untag niya bago ko naramdaman ang paghaplos nito sa buhok ko. “If you need anything, call us okay?” she added smiled warmly.

That was just a quick conversation with her, but it was enough for me. Oddly, she left me alone in the room as she needs to talk to her husband, my father. Hindi ba siya takot na baka nakawin ko ang mga alahas at mamahaling gamit dito katulad ng paratang ni, Veronica?

I shook my head. It's not as if, I'm a thief. I stayed inside the room, trying to remember a thing. However, minutes passed and still nothing!

Biglang sumagi sa isip ko ang mga gamit naiwan sa bodega. At hindi pa pala ako naliligo. I glanced at the walk-in closet. Maraming dress doon at sabi ni ate, magagamit ko raw ang mga iyon. With that in mind, I decided to take a quick shower.

Parang sanay na sanay ang katawan ko sa bawat sulok ng kwarto. Pagkarating ko sa banyo, hindi na ako nagulat na makitang ang lawak at ganda no'n. Wala akong sinayang na oras at agad naligo.

“Nag pa schedule na ako kay Dra. Collins para sa appointment natin mamayang one. Madali lang matanggal ‘yang mga peklat mo, bukas makalawa, makinis na ‘yan.”

Katatapos ko lang mag shower at kasalakuyang sinisipat ang limang damit na nilatag ko sa kama para pagpilian nang pumasok siya sa kwarto.

“Ayos lang naman kung hindi na ate.." I said nonchalantly.

Kinuha ko ang kulay ivory na button down sleeveless romper at tinapat sa katawan.

“Hindi okay ang ayos lang. Mas better kung ipapatingin natin sa doctor ‘yang mukha mo para na rin isampal sa pinsan nating nagmamarunong na hindi ka nag paretoke.”

Napanguso kong nilingon siya, nanatili pa rin ang damit sa katawan. Nakaupo na siya ngayon sa sofa habang hawak ang photo album.

“Why do you hate her? She seemed nice to me,”

Pairap na binaba ni ate ang album sa kama bago ako tiningala.

“Ever since we’ve lost our connection years ago, Veronica turned like a bitch— bagay sa’yo, Pia. Iyan na lang ang isuot mo para terno tayo sa kulay.” she trailed off, eyeing me. "I mean, both of us are good naman. We’re close to each other, lalo na kayo nila  Lily.. but after the accident, she become a woman I never imagined her to be.”

Tinalikuran ko siya saka kinalas ang roba sa katawan. I am only wearing my undergarments and I haven’t felt an ounce of embarrassment when I stood before her naked. Maybe because she’s my sister, and a woman too.

“I get that she lived on the same roof with you for months. You trusted her your children, alright. But hey, she’s crossing the line, really. Kung anu-ano na lang ang sinasabi sa mga bata tungkol sa’yo, at mukhang hindi lang ang kambal ang pakay, pati si Chaz ay tinatrabaho rin!”

From my peripheral vision, I saw her crossed arms as if really annoyed.

“I started hating her guts, lalo pa ng iwan nito ang career sa labas. Given that she’s concerned with the twins, but leaving your career in expense of mothering your children?” humalakhak siya.

I successfully wore the romper. Ang tuwalyang nakabalot sa basang buhok ko naman ang aking tinaggal bago humarap sa salamin.

“Something is just not right. Napatunayan ko lang iyon when I learned from Eira that Veronica is taking advances on her father. Like seriously? Eira is just a kid and she have to witness her adulterated moves! Poor girl..”

I grab the combed and started walking towards her. Umayos naman siya ng upo nang makita ako.

“Comb my hair please..” I said and smiled.

Ate Giselle looked so stressed. She needs to relax. Tinanggap niya rin naman ang suklay at ako’y umupo sa gilid niya. I can feel her moving, facing me.

“I have a children, with this guy named Chaz Theo..” I started before she could even talk.

Ate hummed.

“What about, Drake?”

The comb stopped halfway. Parang pati ang kaniyang paghinga ay natigil din na kinailangan ko pa siyang lingunin para makumpirma kung maayos ba o hindi.

“Who’s Drake, ate? I remember him on one of dreams. I confessed my love. What happened? Did we break up?”

Ate Giselle stared at me for a while before she burst out laughing. Kumunot ang noo ko sa naging reaksyon niya.

“Oh god, ikaw nga! You’re really my sister!” she said in the middle of her laughs. “You remembered Drake, your ex, so that means you’re about to remember everything! Oh my god, I’m so happy!”

Napanguso ako. Inagaw ko sa kaniya ang suklay saka ako na mismo ang nagsuklay sa sariling buhok.

“Because I am. It’s just sad to say that our parents aren’t believing me.” I said lowly.

Doon humapa ang  tawa niya.

“Pia, they do believe you because if not, there is no way in hell they’ll even consider your stay in this room. Mom made sure to clean this every other day. Walang ginagalaw na gamit at ang manatili ka rito na para sa kanila isang estranghero, malabong mangyari. Kahit si Veronica na ginustong dito mag stay sa kwarto mo hindi pinahintulutan at doon lang sa isa sa mga guestroom tumuloy.”

Ate Giselle touched my free palm, smiling reassuringly.

“Kung ganoon, bakit pa kailangan ng DNA test?”

“Ako nga na kapatid mo lang, alam na agad na ikaw ‘yon, sila pa kayang mga magulang mo? Especially, Mom she knows it’s you the moment she laid her eyes on you. We have what they called, ‘lukso ng dugo’ and I am certain they’ve felt it.”

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at pinagpatuloy ang pagsusuklay.

“Katulad ko, alam kong masaya rin silang makita ka. Maybe, Mom and Dad just wants a legal and solid evidence first..”

I sighed heavily. Her words got me thinking. Siguro nga naniniwala sila katulad ng sinabi ni ate sa akin pero kailangan lang ng ebidensiyang magpapatunay na ako nga si Sofia na anak nila.

Immediately after lunch, we went straight to the clinic for the said appointment with the dermatologist. Bukas pa raw kami haharap sa family doctor dahil on travel ito.

“Gusto ko sanang makita ang mga anak ko, ate. I know we have an agreement not disclose my identity just yet without DNA test, but I really want to have a glimpse of the twins. I promise, I won’t show myself! Kahit sa malayo lang ate..”

Kaming dalawa lang ang sakay ng kotse. Si Laureen ay kasama ang kaniyang Dadda na naiwan sa bahay.

“We can, Pia. Tomorrow after your schedule with the doctor, bibisitahin ko sila at aanyahang magpunta sa parke para maglaro ni Laureen. You can watch us from the car,” Ate Giselle glanced at me for a brief moment before she focused on the road again.

Nanghihinang napatango ako. Masakit mawalan ng alaala pero hindi ko alam na may mas isasakit pa pala roon. Parang pinipigi ang puso ko habang iniisip ang mga anak ko. Mabigat sa dibdib.

They live their life without me. It must be really hard for them. Then I suddenly remember, Eira. Wala rin siyang ina at ramdam ko ang matinding pighati at kalungkutan sa kaniyang mukha. And my own children might be experiencing the same agony..

"They're now five years old. A girl and a boy. Si Eira Celeste ang babae ang Xander naman ang lalaki..”

My chest pounded more. Eira has brother too, and she called him Xandy. Could they be the same person?

“Chaz Theo did a great job raising them. Kahit na may pagkasuplado si Xander, nadala naman ni Eira sa kabaitan.” she chuckled.

I tried to steady my breathing as I collect my thoughts.

“Minsan naman silang bumibisita sa mansyon. Si Mommy madalas ang sumusundo sa bahay nila kapag ilang linggo na itong hindi nakikita. Alam mo na, matigas pa rin si Dad sa ama..”

I shifted on my seat and face her fully.

“When the accident happened years ago, all of us are furious at Chaz Theo. He confessed everything. Kaya hindi ko rin masisisi kung bakit ganoon na lang ang galit ni Dad sa kaniya, even I got mad at him too.”

Ate was focused on the road, but she would glance at me from time to time.

“Our parents trusted you to him. Arrange marriages aren’t really our thing. But I also understand why they did it. They’re worried, and marrying you off with the son of Mom’s friend seemed fine lalo na at hindi ka naman tumanggi. I mean, Mom would respect your decision if you declined but you didn’t, so..”

She smiled at me. While I kept a straight face, waiting for her to finish.

“Nang nalaman namin mula sa kaniya ang lahat, nagalit kami. Kahit si Mommy ay ilang buwan ding hindi kinibo si Tita Salva. All of us we’re hurting. We lost you, and our parents felt betrayed. The two of them didn’t foreseen the turn of events. Pero kung nasaktan man kami, hindi lingid sa kaalaman kong nahirapan din si Chaz Theo..”

I sniffed. My chest beats erratically. What really happened?

“I commend him from being a good father. Sakabila ng mga nasabi naming masasakit na salita at poot, hindi nito pinagkait sa amin ang mga bata. Si Xander lang itong suplado na naman yata sa ama."

“Bakit hindi niyo sila kasamang nagpunta sa Maldives para sa kasal ni Zayd?” finally, I found my voice.

“They attended the feast of their great grandmother’s hometown, in Isla Cali. At the same time, death anniversary of the Patriarch.” she said it in almost a whisper.

Namilog ang mga mata ko.

“Ate.. I think I saw them already!"

I swallowed hard as I felt myself getting teary eyed with the realization. I can’t fathom the emotions I was feeling. Eira whom I meet back in the Isla Cali and her brother was my own children!

Oh god, I've met them and I don’t even have the slightest idea! I could’ve hug Eira more and cook Xandy's favorite moron!

“What? Where?!”

“S-Sa Isla Cali ate. May nakilala akong batang babae, and her name was Eira Celeste! Nakausap ko rin ang kaniyang kapatid na lalaki and you’re right, sobrang suplado!” I exclaimed, smiling.

Para akong tanga na naiiyak pero tumatawa.

“Eira s-said, wala raw siyang Mommy. B-But her Dad was still searching for her. It could be me, right? Baka ako nga iyon at wala akong kaalam-alam na ako pala ang tinutukoy niyang nanay!” I bite my lower lip as it quiver.

“The kid was so hopeful ate.. hindi siya sumusukong makikita niya pa ulit ang nanay niya.. then that means, they will still accept me. Papayag pa naman silang pumasok ako sa buhay nila, diba ate?”

It hurts too much. Ilang taon na akong nawala, paano na lang kung hindi na nila ako tanggapin? What if, like what Veronica have said, their life is already perfect even without me. At kung magpakita man ulit ako, masira ko ang masaya at perpekto nilang buhay?

“Oo naman. Huwag kang mag-iisip ng negatibo, mahal na mahal ka ng kambal. Lalo na si Eira? That kid is so fond talking about you whenever we’re together. Parati iyong nagtatanong tungkol sa’yo, sa tingin ko nga memorize na no’n ang talambuhay mo!”

Still, despite my sister’s affirmation.. I can't help but to feel anxious. Maaring matanggap ako ni Eira pero si Xander..

“They love you, sis. Kahit papiliin mo pa iyon sa inyong dalawa ni Veronica, siguradong sa’yo sila sasama..”

Tumahimik ako at pinag-isipan ang mga posibleng mangyari. Maaring magtatampo o hindi agad ako matanggap ng mga anak ko, pero hindi ko sila susukuan.

“May charger ka bang dala?” Ate Giselle asked while we’re heading to where Dra. Collins office is.

“Wala, eh..” iling ko.

Nakatingin siya sa cellphone niya at may kung anong pinipindot doon.

“Lowbat na ako, eh. Hindi ko na charge,” busungot niyang tugon.

“Baka si doktora mayroon, try mong humiram?”

Ate laughed and slid the phone on her handbag.

"'Di na, sa bahay na lang..”

I nodded understandingly. I exhaled a loud breath as I tried to focus my attention to my current errands. Ngunit, kahit nang kaharap ko na mismo si Dra. Collins, linipad la rin sa ibang bagay ang utak ko. I'm just glad, ate is with me. Mabuti na lang din ang mabait si doktora.

Ilang oras din ang tinagal ng appointment namin sa doctor. We’ve done test, they put something on my face, used a machine, cream and such. Dra. Collins said I have to be back which I will. Hiningi rin ni ate ang formal statement mula sa kaniya na nagpapatunay na kailan man ay hindi ako nagparetoke.

Gabi na ng makabalik kami sa bahay. Naunang lumabas si ate sa kotse at sumunod naman ako.

“Pahinga ka nang maaga ngayon. Don’t overthink, okay? That’s not healthy.” Ate said as we approached the main door. “Everything’s gonna be alright, Pia.”

Nakangiti akong tumango. Niyapos ko ang mga kamay sa kaniyang braso saka ako humilig sa kaniyang balikat.

“Sana nga ate.. nakakapagod na,” bulong ko.

Ate Giselle opened her mouth to speak when a cold and baritone voice ceases her.

“Grace?”

We both stopped when we heard it followed by a heavy footsteps.
Tinanggal ko ang pagkakahilig ng ulo sa kaniyang balikat upang lingunin ang taong tumawag sa ikalawang pangalan ko. Pero si ate, mukhang nabato na sa kinatatayuan.

I can hear his footsteps. Parang nagdadabog. Tuluyan kong sinalubong ang tao sa aming likuran. The first thing that I saw is his sleek black shoes. Nang una ay mabilis ang paglalakad nito na tila may hinahabol pero kalaunan, nagdahan-dahan hanggang sa tuluyang huminto.

I then dragged my eyes upward, and I was welcomed with a man in a three piece suit. Wala na ang necktie at bukas ang una hanggang tatlong butones ng white long sleeve.

I noticed his stubbles. With parted lips, his nose is pointed perfectly. He got a clean and manly face, his hair is long, it reaches his shoulder blades. But what hooked my interest is his green and mesmerizing orbs. It was dark, deep and mysterious.

“Chaz?” Ate Giselle called.

I swallowed hard. So he’s, Chaz? The father of my children?

Tinikom noong Chaz ang nakaawang na labi saka binalingan ang kapatid ko. I noticed how he clenched his perfectly angled jaw. His eyes looks weak though, he seemed restless.

"So you found her.." aniya, bakas ang pait at hinanakit sa apat na salitang iyon. "Kailan pa, Giselle? Kailan niyo pa tinatago sa akin ang asawa ko?"