Stranger Next Door

CHAPTER 25

"You know what? He maybe didn't say it but I can feel that, he loves you. And I feel envy because I'm longing for my family's love." napayuko na lang ng maalala ko si Dad.

"Baby, if we're going to visit a place, what place do you want to visit?" asked Dad.

It's my birthday today. My eighteenth birthday. After my debut, he told me that he would bring me to the place that I want to visit.

"I guess it would be, Philippines?" I suggested.

"Why Philippines?" his eyebrows met, "Do you miss someone there?"

"Well, I have a friend there, before we left twelve years ago. I don't even remember his name, and I don't think he remembers me but I really wanted to visit that place. Maybe soon, we'll see each other again." nakangiti kong sabi.

Dad smiled but in the middle of our talk, Das hold his chest.

"Dad? Are you okay?" inalalayan ko pa siya para makatayo saka ko tinawag si Mom, "Mom, Dad needs help!"

Mom run towards us and called 911. It's too late. When the ambulance came, Dad's heart is no longer breathing.

"Stop crying." I came back into my senses when I heard Keifer's voice. "I know, everything happens for a reason. Kung ano man ang rason na yon, malalaman din natin."

He walked towards me and suddenly hugged me. Hindi na ako umangal pa. Umiyak lang ako ng umiyak.

Tho Mom no longer cares for me, I still miss her. I still miss my old life in the US. I miss everything when Dad is still alive.

"Hey, stop crying. Everything will be okay." he's still hugging me and patting my back. "Alam kong masakit ang mawalan. When our parents died, it bring us grief. Hindi na namin alam kung paano pa magpapatuloy."

Kumalas na siya sa yakap.

"Lagi mo lang tandaan na kung tingin mo madilim at wala kang kahit anong liwanag na makita, may liwanag na lilitaw. Manalig ka lang. Tong nangyayari na to, pagsubok lang to." he smiled at me.

Natigilan kami sa pag uusap ng marinig namin ang pasimpleng pag ubo ni Yani.

"Nakahanda na nga pala yung pagkain." sabi niya.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Keifer saka sabay na nagpunta sa kusina.

"Wow, it smells good. You're good at cooking. How about you, Bella?" Keifer asked.

Pilit akong tumawa saka umiling iling.

"Sorry, I don't know how to cook but, I'm still learning." sagot ko naman agad.

"Well, I can teach you. When Gwen is alive, I used to go to their house. Mahilig rin kasi yung magluto. Nagkakasundo kami non dahil puro kami bake." sabi niya.

So, mahilig pala siya sa magaling magluto.

"Aside from sharing the same face, youre sharing the same hobby with your twin." wala sa sarili kong sabi, "Speaking of Gwen, you can see her, don't you?"

His face become serious.

"Don't deny it. When we're talking in the terrace, you keep on telling something I can't even understand." ngumuso ako saka inirapan siya. "You acted so creepy that time. I also get mad at Keith because I thought he's the one who's being a creep."

"Omg, so nagkakausap na pala talaga kayo before?" pagsingit naman ni Yani sa usapan, "Ikaw na talaga, girl."

"STOP IT, OKAY?" nagkasabay pa kami ni Keifer sa pagsuway kay Yani.

I saw how he laughed.

"Stop laughing. I remember, you also told me not to fall inlove with you. May nalalaman laman ka pang huwag akong mahuhulog sayo? Para namang mahuhulog ako, I have Harris no?" irita kong sabi, "Saka nakakainis pang part non, nung sinabi ni Harris na patay ka na, I thought I was talking to a ghost. Ang dami mong atraso sakin, alam mo ba yon?"

He's still laughing, kaya naman mas naiinis lang ako.

"Magtigil ka nga. Tingin mo ba nakakatuwa yon?" inis kong sabi.

"I'm sorry, okay? I told you, I can't tell you who really I am that time. I am protecting Keith. And I warned you, but still, you didn't listen." sagot niya naman, "And about the falling in love thing, I'm not talking about myself. I'm pertraing to Keith. You thought that I was Keith that time, right? So I warned you because you seems attached to him."

"Of course because Keith's my friend." inis kong sabi, "I'm attached to him because he helped me in the very beginning but that doesn't mean na gusto ko siya or what. And about you, warning me, how would I listen if you're acting like a creep that time?"

Napatingin kaming pareho kay Yani ng makita naming tumatawa siya.

"What the hell is your problem? Are you crazy?" inis kong sabi ng makita ko siyang tumatawa.

She just laugh even more.

"Alam niyo, narealize ko lang kasi bagay kayo." she said.

Napangiwi naman kami pareho sa sinabi niya.

"Ew! No way! Like what I always told you, Yani, he's not my type. He's a weirdo!" I acted like I am about to p**e but he looks at me with disgust.

"Wow, sakin ka pa talaga nandiri?" pang aasar niya. "If you didn't know, a lot if girls have crush on me so if you don't find me attractive, maybe you need a glass."

Inirapan ko naman siya.

"Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo. Yung mga babaeng may gusto sayo ang dapat na magpasalamin!" inis kong sabi, "Kapag nalaman nila ang creepy side mo, for sure, no one will like you na."

"Oh, really?" pang-aasar niya pabalik, "How can you be so sure of that? I'm not even creepy. Ikaw lang naman ang nagsasabi niyan and don't worry, you're also not my type."

"Gosh, ang choosy mo naman." nagpapatigasan na kami ng tingin, "Don't you know that a lots of guy is chasing me? Sayang, wala ka don. Kasama ka siguro sa mga naghahabol sakin ngayon kung sakali."

"Assuming!" natatawang sabi niya, "I'm more famous than you."

"In your dreams!" saka ko siya binelatan.

"Hephep! Tumigil na nga kayo." napatingin kami kay Yani ng bigla siyang magsalita, Para kayong mga bata, juskopo. Nagbibiro lang ako, ang seryoso niyo naman."

We're glaring at each other when the resthouse' emergency alarm rang.

"Ano yun?" inis kong tanong habang nagtatakip ng tenga dahil ang lakas ng tunog.

"Mag empake na tayo. Natunton na tayo ni Keith."