Chapter 29: Twins

It seemed like they hid the truth since from the beginning. And I don't even know why would they.

"Peter! Sa labas tayo mag-usap! And you, stay here before I kill you!" Mommy threatened to me before storming out of my room.

Si Daddy naman ay parang natauhan, pero hindi niya kaagad sinunod si Mommy imbis ay lumapit siya sa 'kin at hinaplos ang aking ulo.

I swayed his hand. "Don't touch me, Daddy!" I screamed.

Ngayon ay galit na ako sa kanilang lahat. I know something's off!

"Peter!"

Daddy turned his head to look at the door where Mommy called him. He then looked at me and gave me an apologetic look. "I'll come back, okay?"

I just stared at him with no expression.

What the hell was that? Pamangkin ni Mommy si Fiona? What does it have to be mean?

I tried to gather all my thoughts but it doesn't make sense, so instead I stood up even my body's weak and in pain I managed to go out of my room.

I went in front of their room, at sa labas pa lang ay rinig ko na ang pag-aaway ni Mommy at Daddy. This was my first time witnessed their fight, they didn't fight before... o talagang hindi ko lang alam?

"Paanong nadulas ka, ha?! Sabihin mong sinadya mong iparinig iyon kay Audrey!"

"Sige, aaminin ko! Sinadya ko na! Why? Isn't it the truth, Scarlet? Fiona's just your niece, and Audrey is your daughter! How could you treat my own daughter like that?!"

"Hindi mo naiintindihan, Fiona fell on the stairs because of her immaturity!"

"Yeah, I know that, okay? Pero hindi mo muna ba aalamin kung bakit ginawa ni Audrey iyon, ha? Palibhasa kasi hindi mo pinapakinggan ang sarili mong anak—"

I heard a slap.

"Sige nga, tell me, Peter! Why did Audrey do that to Fiona!"

"Fiona started it, as Manang said Fiona's spitting nonsense, she accused my daughter a slut, Scarlet! You know what? I've had enough of this! Timping-timpi na ako sa pamangkin mo na iyan, isn't it enough that I treated her as my own daughter? And I even gave her my name! Hindi ko naman siya tinratong iba, pero bakit ganiyan ang ugali niyan?"

"No, you don't understand. Walang ginagawa si Fiona, at laging tama ang mga sinasabi niya. Paano kasi kinukunsinti mo iyang anak mo kaya ganiyan ang ugali!"

"Sa ating dalawa, ikaw ang may malaking pagkululang, Scarlet. Tell me, did you regret bringing Audrey in this world?"

"Yes, so much," Mommy answered without hesitation.

I looked down and played with my fingers. She regretted it... I felt a pang on my chest. Did I deserve this?

"Why? What did Audrey do to you to be hated?"

"Hindi mo pa rin alam iyong dahilan? Sure, Peter. I hate our own daughter, you know why? Because my twin sister died and I blamed Audrey for that!"

My eyes widened as my lips parted.

Mommy has a twin sister?

I leaned against the door to listen carefully even my heart's pounding loudly.

"What? Are you insane, Scarlet?! Paano naging kasalanan ni Audrey ang pagkamatay ni Violet, ha?!"

There's a moment of silence until Mommy spoke again. "The day Audrey was born, was the day Violet, my twin sister died... I blamed Audrey... dahil kung hindi ko siya ipinanganak ng araw na iyon ay maililigtas ko si Violet sa depression niya! She's depressed, Peter! And she damn committed suicide because of our family, and I regretted it so much, if only I could save her that time, but I couldn't..."

"Scarlet, bakit kay Audrey mo ibinubuntong lahat ng galit mo?"

"I loved my twin sister over my own daughter, Peter! And if something happened to Fiona, I won't hesitate killing Aud—"

"Oh god, damn it! You're evil" sigaw ni Daddy.

A tear rolled down my cheeks. I started sobbing, so I covered my mouth not to make any noise.

"What kind of a mother you are, Scarlet? Hindi lang si Audrey ang sinasaktan mo pati rin ako. Para mo na ring sinabi na hindi mo ako minahal," si Daddy.

"Shut up, Peter! Hindi ko nailigtas si Violet kaya bumabawi ako sa anak niya! And I'll do everything so Fiona won't feel unwanted, her mother died early and I don't know where her father was, I will literally do everything for her. I love Fiona as much as I love my twin sister, that way I can show her my apology, love, care, and sympathy. And I can only show her that by being a mother to Fiona."

"You're being mother to Fiona, but how about Audrey? You're treating her like nothing, tandaan mo, Scarlet, anak natin si Audrey."

I've had enough today. It was just too much to bear. I walked back inside my room and went inside the bathroom, binabad ko ang sarili sa bathtub habang patuloy sa pagtulo ang mga luha ko.

I was shocked at the same time hurt from what I've heard earlier. And it's clear now, Mommy has a twin sister and it's Violet, Fiona's mother.

Nothing went suspicious ever since dahil magkamukha naman si Mommy at ang kambal niya kaya p'wedeng-pwede niya lang ding angkinin si Fiona bilang anak.

I wonder if Fiona knew about all of these?

Vallejos...

Does it mean... Violet was Mr. Vallejos' wife? And their daughter is... Fiona?

I tried to connect all the puzzle I have in mind. From what Mr. Vallejos said, nagtanan sila dahil ayaw ng magulang ng asawa niya sa kaniya, at siguro ang grandparents ko ang tinutukoy niya?

He said he doesn't need to look for them because he already found her wife and daughter with their new family?

Was he referring to my parents and Fiona?

Does it mean he wasn't aware of his wife's death and just assumed she's still alive wherein fact it's Mommy he's referring to? Hindi kaya hindi niya alam na may kambal ang asawa niya?

My head ached from my thoughts. Right now, I just wanted to shut my life down.

I guess I have to talk to Mr. Vallejos?

I sighed and washed my face with cold water. I reached for my bathrobe and wore it before going in front of my bathroom's mirror. I have my eyes puffy and red from crying, swollen lips and cheeks and scratches on my body from mom.

She did these without thinking, bakit pa nga ba niya pag-iisipan kung narinig ko na nagsisisi siyang nabuhay pa ako at mas pinili niya ang pamangkin niya kaysa sa sariling anak.

Her words kept on running inside my mind at the same time kept on stabbing my chest.

She loves Fiona.

She doesn't love me, her own daughter.

I bitterly smiled at my reflection as my tears fell again. At least, I have Daddy on my side. He at least defended me.

I don't need Mommy in my life. I have Daddy, my friends, and Zian. They're all enough.

Iyan na ang nakatatak simula pa lang. And I don't think Mommy will forgive me for what I did to her niece. My cousin.

We're not sisters, we're cousins. Should I be glad?

When the night came, Manang Lita entered my room with a tray on her hands. "Wala ang mga magulang mo at nasa hospital para asikasuhin si Fiona. Halika, ako ang magpapakain sa 'yo."

I stared at her for a moment. "Don't you hate me, Manang?" I asked out of the blue.

She looked at me with smile, she didn't even flinch from what I asked. She walked towards me and put the tray on the bedtable.

"Bakit ko naman gagawin iyon? Wala kang ginawang masama, hija kaya hindi ako galit sa 'yo. Alam kong mali ang pagpatol mo sa ate mo—"

"She's not my sister," I cut off.

She smiled and nodded. "Alam mo na."

"What do you mean?"

"Matagal ko nang alam na hindi totoong anak ni Ma'am Scarlet si Fiona dahil anak siya ni Ma'am Violet, at hindi ko rin magawang magalit sa 'yo kapag sinasagot mo ang mga magulang mo o pinapatulan mo si Fiona."

"Why?" I asked.

"Dahil alam kong may punto ka. Alam kong tahimik ka lang kapag hindi pinapakialaman, at resonable kung bakit ganito ka umakto. Minsan, gusto ko na lang ampunin ka kasi wala rin akong anak, naaawa ako sa 'yo kapag minamaltrato ka ng Mommy mo, anak ka niya kaya naaawa ako dahil tinatrato ka niya na parang hindi."

I bit my inside cheeks and looked away. "H-Hindi ako kawawa," I stuttered.

Well, I just lack of care, love, and attention.

"Sa katunayan, mas gusto kita kaysa kay Fiona kahit magalang siya minsan, mali pa rin ang ginagawa niya sa 'yo. Ayaw ko sa mga pakitang-tao, hindi katulad mo na totoo, nailalabas mo kung ano ang saloobin mo, at iyon ang dahilan kung bakit galit sila sa 'yo... sa pagiging totoo sa mga salita mo."

I rolled my eyes to stop myself from crying. I am being a crybaby.

"Tama na, Manang baka isipin kong bina-backstab mo si Fiona sa 'kin," I joked.

Manang softly laughed. "Sige na, kumain ka na. Gusto mong subuan pa kita?"

I knotted my forehead. "No way!"

"Biro lang. Sige na at maghahatid pa ako ng gamit sa hospital."

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. "Hospital? Ano ang dadalhin mo, Manang?"

"Gamit para kay Fiona, nasa pribadong kuwarto na raw siya pero kinakailangan pa ng blood donor dahil maraming dugo ang naiwala niya. Salamat sa Diyos at hindi raw siya ganoong napuruhan, may mga pilay lang."

I sighed in relief. At least, she's now safe.

"Manang, c-can I go there? May nahanap na ba silang blood donor?" I asked, maybe I can help.

"Hindi ko pa alam, naghahanap pa yata sila... "

"Can I go there? I'll just... just check on Fiona..."

She nodded. "Sige, hihintayin kita sa baba, ah? Kumain ka nang maayos para maging malakas ang katawan mo."

I nodded and watched her back. "Manang..." I called.

She stopped and looked back at me. "Ano iyon, hija?"

"Thank you," I mouthed and glanced down on my food.

After I ate, I rested for a bit and took my phone. Mag-uumaga na, pero hindi pa rin ako dinadalaw ng antok.

I saw text messages from Zian.

Zian:

uy, galit ka pa rin ba???

Zian:

sorry na bebe

Zian:

date? libre kita, free ka ba?

Zian:

: (

I sighed as a smile escaped on my lips. This guy never failed to make me smile.

Me:

I am not free. Libre mo na lang sarili mo.

I hid my phone inside my short's pocket and went out of my room.

We drove all they way to Valderama Medical Hospital. I don't know but I am nervous as heck. I just really wanna check on her.

And I am thinking of contacting Mr. Vallejos, if they still have no blood donor for Fiona.

"What the hell are you doing here?" kaagad na sambit ni Mommy nang nakasalubong ko siya sa lobby.

It's rare seeing her in her lab gown.

"Mommy..." I called.

She sighed and massaged her temple. "Follow me," she obeyed and turned her back.

I looked at Manang Lita and she nodded. I followed Mommy from behind, we rode the elevator until we reached her office.

Ngayon lang ulit ako nakapunta sa hospital na ito simula noong bata pa ako. Hindi rin naman ako sakitin.

"What are you doing here?" she coldly said.

I bit my lower lip and sat on the sofa near the wall. "H-How's Fiona?"

Her forehead creased. "After you pushed her on the stairs, tatanungin mo kung kumusta siya? Seryoso ka, Persian Audrey?"

I sighed and lowered my gaze. "I-I... am s-sorry," I whispered.

"What did you say?"

I looked at her and sighed. "I am sorry, Mommy."

Her lips parted in shock. She didn't expect I'll apologize. I know I shared a mistake, so I chose to lower my pride so it won't get worse.

I looked away and just stared at the wall. I saw a picture frame.

And by this time, I know it was Mommy and her twin sister, Violet in their teenage life. They're both wearing a same white dress and all smile. They really looked alike.

"Fiona needs a blood donor. We don't match a blood type. Wala pa kaming nahahanap na dugo na gaya ng sa kaniya. And it's your fault why—"

"I'll help, Mommy. I know someone..." I cut off.

"Then, what are you waiting for? Contact that someone." She stood up and put her stethoscope around her neck before leaving me without any remarks.

I sighed and stood up also to make a call outside. I called Mr. Vallejos' number since he called me yesterday so I have it in my log.

It took many rings before he answered. "A-Anak?"

I looked at my phone in confusion before I placed it back on my ear. "Mr. Vallejos, I am not your daughter," I answered.

I heard him sob in other line.

"Hello? Are you crying?"

"V-Violet... anak ka namin ni Violet..."

My face paled. Alam kong alam ko na ang totoo, pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang kabahan at matakot.

"No, I am the daughter of Scarlet and Peter Valderama."

"H-Hindi totoo iyan... inagaw niya kayo sa 'kin... parang awa mo na, bumalik na kayo sa 'kin..."

My eyes watered after hearing her plead and cry. I let out a breathe.

Paano kung malaman niyang wala na ang asawa niya at nasa hospital ang anak niya?

Did he mistaken me as his daughter? Anak ako ni Mommy kaya siguro akala niya rin na ako ang anak niya? Magkalapit lang ang edad namin ni Fiona, at kahit papaano may resemblance kami dahil kambal ang ina naming pareho.

Poor him.

"Can we talk about an important matter, Mr. Vallejos? I am in Valderama Medical Hospital, let's just meet in cafeteria nearby. I need you there." I then hung the call up.

Lumabas ako ng hospital at pumasok sa malapit na cafeteria. I ordered a cappuccino to warm my stomach while waiting for him.

He looked like shit when he entered the cafeteria. I raised my hand up so he'll notice me.

He quickly walked towards my direction. He looked devastated with dark circles under his eyes. Halatang galing kaiiyak. I wonder if he's already healed from depression?

Wait...

Violet was also depressed before, and Mr. Vallejos was depressed too when his family left him.

What a tragic.

"Why did you call me this early?" Ni hindi siya makatingin sa akin ngayon.

"Did your anxiety attack again?" I asked.

He shook his head. "H-Hindi naman..."

"Kaya pala umiiyak ka nang tumawag ako? C'mon, you need to undergo therapy, Mr. Vallejos."

"Hindi, ayos na ako..."

I sighed. "Bahala ka."

I sipped on my coffee. "Anyway, we have something to talk about. Order first."

He nodded.

I waited for him to finish ordering, and when he's done, I ready myself to ask questions.

"Who's your wife?"

"Bakit?"

"Just answer what I'm gonna ask."

"Violet. Violet Yap Vallejos."

I nodded. Yap is my middle name.

"Why did her family dislike you?"

"Because... I wasn't good for their unica hija... mahirap lang ako."

"Unica hija?"

He nodded. "She's only child."

What the hell just happened? Where's Mommy that time? Or did Violet hide her twin's identity before?

"Who told you she's an only child?"

"Violet."

Kahit naguguluhan ay nagproceed ako sa ibang tanong.

"What's your daughter's name?"

"Persian Audrey," diretsahang sagot  niya.

"What? I am not your daughter!"

"You're my daughter," he insisted.

I sighed irritatingly. "Listen. What's your wife's name now?"

"Scarlet. She changed her name for the reason I didn't know."

I scoffed. "That's my mom, and she didn't change her name," I corrected.

"No, she changed it."

"Does Mommy know you?"

Natigilan muna siya bago umiling. "She doesn't know me for sure. I wonder if something happened before..."

I arched a brow. Of course, Mommy doesn't know you because she's not your wife.

"What's your daughter's name before?"

"Fiona."

I nodded. This is it... unti-unti nang nagtutugma-tugma.

"So, are you saying I am your daughter Fiona and changed my name into Persian Audrey?"

He nodded again.

"You're wrong."

Naguluhan kaagad siya. "Why?"

"Are you aware that your wife and my mother are identical twins?"

"Twins? What do you mean?"

"Yeah. Scarlet and Violet are twin sisters. Hindi ko rin alam na may kakambal si Mommy."

He looked shock from what he heard.

I proceeded. "I am not your daughter. Are you also aware that I have a so-called sister?"

He shook his head. "I don't know..."

"You didn't investigate deeper. I have a sister, well by now, she's not. Fiona Valderama, does it ring a bell?"

Hindi siya nagsalita at gulat pa rin kaya nagpatuloy ulit ako.

"For you to know, we're two girls. I have an older sister, Fiona. She's older than me. I thought she's my sister, but after knowing some things it turned out that we're not."

I sipped on my coffee again before placing it back on the table. I leaned. "We're cousins."

"I don't understand it."

I glared at him. "Ang dami-dami ko nang ipinaliwanag, hindi mo man lang nakuha? Professor ka ba talaga?" I sarcastically said.

I shook my head in disappointment. "To sum it up, mali ka. Fiona is your daughter and Violet is your wife. I am not your daughter 'coz I'm Peter and Scarlet's daughter. Got it?"

"And where is my daughter and wife right now?" Magkahalong gulo, kaba, at sabik ang maririnig sa boses niya.

But sorry to burst your bubble, Mr. Vallejos. Your wife's already dead and your daughter's in hospital.

"Now, you have to come with me. Your daughter needs a blood donor."