Finding Avie's body

Chapter 42

Mabilis na kumilos yung team nina Wayne at Damon para magsimulang mag imbestiga. Ngayon naka sama kami sa team nila Wayne nan aka assign para alamin kung ano ang koneksyon ni Xander sa akin, pero sa totoo lang wala naman akong maisip na koneksyon naming dalawa aside doon sa araw na nagkita kami sa hotel.

Iniisip ko nga kung saan event or gathering pa ba kami nagkitang dalawa pero wala talaga akong maalala na kahit ano, pero I am also sure na nagkita na kami before, somewhere I couldn’t remember.

“Saan tayo papunta Drake?” tanong ko kay Drake kasi kasunod kami ngayon ng team nina Wayne naghahanap kami ng lead sa kung ano yung pagkatao ni Xander.

“Sa St. Bernardette Children’s Academy, base sa information na nakuha nila Wayne doon sya nag highschool kailangan nating malaman kung anong klaseng tao ba si Alexander. Hindi sya galling sa normal na pamilya kaya mahihirapan tayong makahanap ng impormasyon sa kanya kung family background lang ang pagtutuunan natin ng pansin. Kailangan nating makahanap ng kahit maliit o malaking impormasyon na tungkol sa kanya,” sabi ni Drake.

“Malakas ang pakiramdam ko na may kinalaman sya sa nangyare sayo Kiesh, hindi ako titigil hanggang hindi natin natatagpuan yung katawan mo, kahit pa maubos lahat ng pera ko handing kong isugal makita lang natin yung katawan mo Kiesh,” dagdag pa niya.

Napangiti nalang ako sa sinabi nya. Pero bigla ko ding naalala St. Bernadette Children’s Academy? Doon din ako nag-highschool!

“Drake sa St. Bernadette Children’s Academy din ako nag-highshool.” Sabi ko kay Drake.

He seemed shocked but then his emotions calmed down.

“I knew it, may koneksyon lahat ng ito Kiesha, hindi mo ba talaga maalala si Alexnader? You might have met him somewhere? Kahit anong impormasyon pwedeng makatulong sa atin Kiesh, try to remember him.” Drake encourages me.

“Alam mo naisip ko nga din yon, na malaki ang maitutulong sa atin kung maalala ko sya, kaya talagang iniisip ko na nitong maghapon kung saang lugar o event ko ba sya maaring nakasama pero aside talaga doon sa hotel wala akong maalala na lugar na nagkasama kaming dalawa, but you know he feels familiar to me, pamilyar sya sa akin kaya nga nong gabi na kinausap niya ako I didn’t hesitate to also talk to him, because I also know that he’s familiar to me.” Sabi ko kay Drake.

“3rd year high school ako nagtransfer sa St. Bernadette, before that naka homeschooling ako,  do you think he’s known me even during my highschool days?” tanong ko kay Drake.

“Malaki yung possibility na kilala ka na niya noon pa Kiesh,” sagot naman nya.

“Importante din na maka usap natin yung isa sa mga teachers nyo doon na pwedeng makapag-bigay sa atin ng information. May naalala ka bang teacher doon sa school na pwede nating hanapin?” tanong nya sa akin.

Nag isip naman ako kaagad kung sino baa ng mga professors sa St. Bernadette na pwedeng kausapin ni Drake, nung highschool days ko achiever na ako, kaya kadalas yung mga teachers natutuwa talaga sa akin, madalas akong ipang Sali sa mga kung ano anong competitions at saka mga tournaments.

Hmm, sino baa ng pwede naming pagtanungan? I think Ms. Dela Fuente, pwede sigurp sya at baka nandoon pa sya sa school hanggang ngayon.

“Si Ms. Dahlia Dela Fuente, pwede mo syang hanapin don sa school. Sya yung unang adviser teacher ko at saka sya din yung madalas na kasama ko noon sa competition kaya kumpara sa mga ibang teachers ko siguro sya yung madaming alam na impormsyon kahit na papaano. Yes, sya nga yung ipagtanong mo sa school.” Sabi ko kay Drake.

“Okay Kiesh, sya yung una nating hahanapin.” Sabi ni Drake at saka nag focus sa pagdadrive.

I looked at Drake and realized that he changed so much, mag mula nung naghiwalay kami I realized that he turned into a good man.

Looking at him right now, narealize ko na sa aming dalawa ako yung mas naapektuhan nung nangyari sa amin, kahit pa ako yung umayaw at ako yung may ayaw na ayusin yung relasyon naming, kahit pa ako yung tumalikod sa kanya, sa aming dalawa ako pa din yung parang naiwanan sa puntong yon.

He’s a better person now, hindi ko alam kung kapag nagkapalit ba kaming dalawa ng sitwasyon kaya ko bang gawin para sa kanya lahat ng ginagawa nya ngayon para sakin?

I didn’t also know na after all these years, he’s love for me didn’t even falter, it didn’t stayed the way it was before because it was so much stronger. Drake’s love for me, gives me hope, na sa kabila ng lahat ng nangyari sa akin ngayon, maybe tomorrow will be a better day for me, kasi may isang Drake na naghihintay sa pagbalik ko. May isang Drake na lumalaban para sa akin.

I suddenly remember that night when we attend his Abuela’s party and Tita Yelena was there with Alana.

“Avie come come Iha!” masayang aya sa akin ni Abuela gusto nya daw na ipakilala ako sa mga abuela nya.

It has only been a month mag mula nung araw na sinagot ko si Drake and officially na naging kami. His Abuela was one of the happiest person for us, sobrang tuwang tuwa kasi sya sa akin. She even said that she won’t attend Drake’s wedding if I won’t be the girl that he’s goingn to marry. She adores me so much kasi nag-iisang apo si Drake, at wala man lang syang babaeng apo.

Abuela wants me to always visit her, kaya Drake and I make sure na every weekend sa kanila kami maglulunch before we go to the tree house because that is our original hanging spot.

I shyly come forward as I heard Abuela call my name.

“This is the beautiful girlfriend of my apo, Avrielle isn’t she pretty?” masayang pakilala sa akin ni Abuela sa mga amigas nya.

Nagbeso ako isa isa sa kanila, they are praising me and saying that I am indeed beautiful and that I could really pass as an artista.

“Ang ganda naman pala talaga ng girlfriend ng Apo mo Amiga! Ang gandang bata nako I can already picture your future grand children they will surely look as amazing as their parents!” masayang sabi ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni Abuela.

“Naku amiga! Sinasabihan ko nga itong si Drake na wag ng pakawalan itong si Avrielle naming,” she said proudly.

Drake’s family already considered me as their family, they adore me so much and I am beyond grateful for that they are just so kind and amazing person. I can’t believe that I was able to be part of their wonderful family.

“Alam mo bang sinasabihan ko nga yong apo ko na pag naka graduate nila eh magpropose na dito kay Avie, baka mamaya maagaw pa ito ng iba hay naku! I can only imagine how regretful he will be, this kid is such a darling, pakiramdam ko nga minsan sya ang apo ko at hindi si Drake!” natatawang biro pa ni Abuela.

Which also made me laugh kasi totoo naman, I remember sometimes kapag kinukulit ako ni Drake I would run to  Abuela I would ask for her help and she would go berserk to Drake. Papaluin nya si Drake ng parang bata para lang tantanan ako ng makulit nyang apo.

“Abuela masyado nyo naman po akong pinupuri baka po maniwala sila Madam,” naka ngiti kong sabi kay Abuela, she just only laughed at me and hugged me.

“See? This child is super nice and humble, I wouldn’t want any other girl for my apo,” she happily said.

“Oo nga naman, Amiga wag mong masyadong purihin at baka lumaki ang ulo.” A very familiar voice said from behind.

And there comes Tita Yelena and Alanna walking towards us, pakiramdam ko ako si Cinderella na dumating yung evil step mother at step sister. She was smilling wickedly while looking at me. She looks at me with so much anguish and disgust. I couldn’t help but look away.

Bumeso si Tita Yelena at Alanna kay Abuela, naalala ko na kaibigan nga pala ni Abuela si Tita Yelena nung unang beses na nagkausap kami ay nasabi na din nya iyon sa akin. Nawala lang talaga sa isip ko at hindi ko naisip nab aka dumalo sila ngayon. Hindi ko talaga naalala kaibigan nga pala ni Tita Yelena sina Abuela, kung naalala ko lang baka medyo nag low key ako ngayong okasyon. I don’t wanna ruin Abuela’s birthday. Kilala ko si Tita Yelena, wala syang pinipiling oras o lugar. Ipapahiya at ipapahiya nya ako whenever she gets a chance.

“It’s been a while amiga, this is my daughter Alanna, she’s your grandson’s friend. They are actually childhood sweet hearts! I remember Drake giving her chocoloates when they were kinder gartens! They look so cute before. Kanya nga lang kasi mas minabuti ni Achilles na ihome-schooling nalang si Alanna at alam mo naman ang politika.” Tita Yelena said.

I didn’t know that Drake actually know Alanna, or maybe I know that they know each other but I didn’t know that they were close.

Hindi naman nabanggit ni Drake sa akin yon, I just know that their families also know my dad and his family.

“Oh yes! I remember her naku oo nga naalala ko nga na noon nagpapabaon pa ng extra na lunch at merienda si Drake to give to her. Oh she grew up beautifully! You look just like you momma iha,” abuela said as she kissed Alanna’s face.

I was just right there standing beside abuela but I feel like I was from them and didn’t actually belong there. I wanted to get myself away from them because I really feel uncomfortable but I don’t wanna embarrass Abuela.

Alanna just looked at me, she didn’t said anything.

She smiled sweetly at her.

“You are very beautiful din po,” magalang na sabi nya kay ABuela.

While Tita Yelena happily laughed at Abuela’s remarks and compliments about Alanna. She loves attention so much.

“Ano kaba Amiga, can’t you see? Alanna looks just like her father!”

Pagak na tawa at pagmamalaki nya. I knew it. Tita Yelena always wanted everyone to see that Alanna looks just like Dad. Pero totoo naman na talagang sya ang kamukha ni Alanna.

“Ano kaba Amiga? Look at you and your daughter! She looks so much like you! You are both gorgeous! And besides I think that Avrielle looked more like Achilles than Alanna,” she said as she held my hand and hugged me a little.

I couldn’t help but give a sly smile. This is bad really bad.

Everyone was looking at us and I feel like tita Yelena is already killing me in her mind.

“Hahaha you are funny Amiga, look at Alanna she looks just like her father, alam mo naman I really think that legitimate child deserves more to look like their parents. Hindi natin alam yung mga illegitimate jan baka ipina-ako lang or what! Hahaha!” Tita Yelena said.

Pakiramdam ko para akong binuhas ng tubig sa sinabi, Oh God please Tita Yelena don’t go there. I didn’t know that I was already gripping Abuela’s hand. Instead of calling me out for gripping her hand, she also held my hand tightly as if she’s saying that she got me.

I looked at Abuela and she smiled at me and nodded.

“Nako Amiga, we don’t really know their story. Lets not judge other people hindi ba? Hahaha! And besides! Kapag naman kamukhang kamukha ng Ama ang bata, I don’t think na dapat pa silang pag-doubtan hindi ba? Look at Avie, she looks just like Achilles. I actually mistake her for your daughter Alanna, the first time I met her akala ko talaga sya si Alana because she looks just like Achilles. Alam mo ba we loves this girl so much.” She said at Tita Yelena which made her speechless.

“Avie ija, go find Drake and tell him to get you somoe foods I know you’re already famished.” Abuela said which made me feel really ease.

Mabilis akong nagpaalam sa mga kaibigan ni Abule. I feel like I am suffocating in there.

Instead for looking for Drake, I decided to go out in the garden to breathe some fresh air.

I was quietly walking when someone suddenly grabbed my arm. I looked at the person and realizes that it is Tita Yelena.

Mukhang galit nag alit sya, the way she grabs my arm says it all.

“Come!” she angrily said at me.

Because I didn’t want any commotion to happen, I quietly followed her. Alanna is just following us, she is not even stopping her mom.

When will she ever grow up? Para syang puppet ng mommy nya na kung ano ang sabihin ng mommy nya ay yun lang ang gagawin nya. I pity her.

Pagdating namin sa pinaka sulok ng mansion kung saan walang masyadong nagdadaan na mga tao, malakas na itinulak ako ni Tita Yelena dahilan para muntikan akong matumba.

Nanlilisik ang mga mata na naka tingin sya sa akin.

“Kailan k aba mawawalang sampid ka ha?! Hanggang dito ba naman nandito ka pa din?! Do you think that those people really cared about you huh?! Wake up Avrielle! Hindi ka si Cindyrella! At isa pa why did you tell them na anak ka ni Achilles ha?! Hindi pa ba sapat sayo na isinusuka ka ng asawa ko?! Bakit hindi ka pa makuntento na binigyan ika nya ng apelyido at nililimusan ha?! Masyadong makapal yang mukha mo! Ang kapal kapal ng mukha mo!” galit nag alit na dinuro suro nya ako.

Hindi ako kumikilos, hinahayaan ko nalang sya na ilabas yung galit nya sa akin kasi ayokong masira yung party ni Abuela, I know TIta Yelena she will not care kahit pa wala naman kami sa sarili nilang pamamahay, ipapahiya nya ako kahit saan basta gusto nya.

“Do you really think that Achilles considers you as his child?! Ang kapal ng mukha mo! Katulad na katulad ka ng ina mo! Nagpabuntis para panagutan pero at the end of the day ako pa din ang pinili ni Achilles. And just like your mom you will never find someonw who will love you! Because you are not worth loving! You don’t deserve to be loved!” malakas na sigaw sa akin ni Tita Yelena at akmang sasampalin ako.

Inantay kong tumama yung kamay nya sa pisngi ko pero hindi ko yon naramdaman na lumapat manlang sa balat ko.

I then realize that she was stopped. Drake is holding her hand preventing her from hurting me.

“Tama na po Mrs. Gomez, hanggang may natitira pa po akong respesto sa inyo tama na po, hindi po ako kumilos kanina kahit oa narinig ko yung mga pinagsasabi nyo sa girlfriend ko pero hindi po ako papaya na saktan nyo si Kiesha. Not when I am watching I will not let you lay a finger on mu girl.” Matigas ang boses na sabi niya kay Tita Yelena.

Tita Yelena was stopped for a moment, but she smiled at Drake and didn’t mind what he said.

“Drake do you remember Alanna? She’s your classmate during your kindergarten days! Naalala mo ba na inalok mo pa syang maginng girlfriend. Oh time flies so fast! Alanna dear greet Drake!” She said to Alanna.

Pero hindi kumilos si Alanna agad, nung akma syang lalapit kay Drake para bumeso mabilis na naglakad palayo sa kanya si Drake habang hawak hawak ang kamay ko.

“Kakalimutan ko po yung ginawa niyo kay Avie palalampasin ko kasi alam kong kahit pa itanggi natin parepareho asawa pa din kayo ng Daddy nya, at ayokong mas lalong palalain yung sitwasyon para kay Akiesha. Pero hindi ko hahayaan na saktan nyo si Akiesha and you are wrong. Akiesha deserve’s all the love in the world. Mahal ko sya, mahal na mahal kahit pa paulit ulit nyong sabihin sa kanya na hindi sya dapat mahalin. Araw araw, oras oras, minu minute ipaparamdam ko sa kanya kung gano ko sya kamahal para hindi nya na isipin lahat ng sinasabi nyo.” Galit na sabi ni Drake sa kanya.

“Please show yourselves out. I know that my Abuela wouldn’t also want to have you as her guest if she knows what you did to her Avrielle.” Drake said and walked out.

He was holding my hand making sure thatr I feel secured.

Drake may have changed so much after what happened to us, but I guess somethings don’t really change so easily. That is his love and care for me, he will protect me with all his might.

I looked at him, and he smiled at me.

Kahit pa nakakatakot yung nangyayari sa buhay ko, kahit pa walang kasiguradun yung buhay para sa akin Drake gives me so much hope.

He is my Hope.