Her Eyes #Wattys2018 Winner

Chapter 22

[Ryoichi]

Sinalubong ako ng mga taga-silbi sa family house namin sa Yokohama.

"Welcome back, Ryoichi-sama." Sabay sabay na bati nila habang nakayuko. Tumango lang ako at tuloy-tuloy na naglakad.

"Ichi-onii!"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng matinis na boses at nakita ko si Rai. Tumatakbo siya palapit sa akin at hindi pinapansin ang mga nakasunod sa kanya na pinipigilan siya tumakbo sa malawak na sala ng family house namin.

"Stop running, little girl. It's dangerous." I said. She just giggled and hug my waist. "What took you so long, Onii?" She asked. I smiled as she clings on my waist. "It wasn't long, I just took a rest last night."

"It's too long for Rai-chan." She pouted. I just pat her head and let her hug me by the waist as I walked towards my grandmother waiting for me a few steps down the staircase.

"Obaa-chan."

"Ichi, welcome back." She said in her monotonous voice. Yumuko na lamang ako at niyakap siya. Naramdaman ko ang mahigpit na yakap ni Rai sa akin. She's scared of Obaa-chan because she grew with her.

"How is Philippines?"

"The same old, obaa-chan." Tumango lamang siya sa sagot ko at iginiya ako sa lamesa.

"Why do you decide to comeback home?" She asked when we settled on our seats. "I want to forget."

"Why and what are your forgetting about?"

"Things."

"Did they inflict wounds on you?"

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko. Why did I act out of impulse? Maybe because I am wounded already and is scared to be wounded more.

"I don't know, obaa-chan."

Sumimsim lang siya sa tsaa na nasa harap niya. "Everything has their reason, maybe yours is not that clear but I know you have your reasons."

Maybe obaa-chan is right. I may not find my answer right now but as I continue to see danger, I'm growing scared of what might happen especially when she's with me. She's death and I'm danger we are a lethal combination, it's a ruckus, a chaos.

This life is full of danger that is one thing I'm sure off. I see danger but I can't identify what danger have I left.

Nawala ako sa pag-iisip nang malalim nang marinig ko ang malutong na tunog ng takong. "Okaa-san!" (Mom!) Rai ran to our Mom and hugged her. She kissed Rai's cheeks but her eyes immediately darted to me.

"You came home, that's a miracle. Is someone in danger?" Her snide remark make me look down. She knows what I can see and with that she looks at me as if I am a monster lurking in this enormous mansion.

"No one's in danger, Ma'am." I said. I heard her scoff. "Rai, you better not go near him or you'll be in danger."

"Why?"

"Don't ask questions, Rai. Ara, bring Rai to her room." She commanded. Immediately Ara came and guided Rai upstairs.

"That's rude, Rika!" The silent room is disturbed by obaa-chan's stern voice. Hindi ko pa nakita si Obaa-chan na ganito ka galit. "Hindi ko kasalanan bakit may sa demonyo kayong apo, Madam. Sabagay he's a son of a demon, a rapist."

Marahas na tumayo si Obaa-chan sa kanyang upuan kaya agad akong dumalo sa kanya at maging ang ilang maids. "Still he is your son, Rika! Tinanggap siya ni Ryuki nang walang salita, ibinigay pa nito ang apelyido niya kay Ichi pero hindi mo siya matanggap? Anong klaseng ina ka?"

This happens every time I came in the scene, nababahala ako lalo at mahina na rin si Obaa-chan. "Ryuki may have been silent but I know he don't give a shit about this monster."

Napayuko na lamang ako sa mga sinasabi ng ina ko. Her words are venom and I can't do anything but welcome them.

"Shut up, Rika!" Nararamdaman ko ang galit ni Lola lalo sa panginginig ng katawan niya. "Anak mo pa rin siya!"

"Anak ko siya sa demonyo! Paano ko matatanggap ang isang anak na nagmula sa pananamantala sa akin?" Mom's bloodshot eyes are in verge of tears. Hatred, anger and sadness are in her eyes.

"Hindi ko kailanman ginusto na babuyin ako, walang babaeng gugustuhin na mababoy siya!"

"Obaa-chan, I'll just leave then." I said but Obaa-chan's hand stopped me.

"Go on leave! Hindi ka namin kailangan sa pamamahay na ito."

I felt Obaa-chan's grip tighten a bit. "No, stay here." Her stern voice signalized that she will stand by her decision.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to welcome him in this house? He will only bring misfortune!"

"And do you think he being banished in the Philippines means his happiness? No! It's your selfishness Rika!"

"Obaa-chan, quit it. I'll just go back some other time."

"Ha! May balak ka pa bumalik? Ibang klase talaga ang kapal ng mukha mo. Katulad na katulad ng sa hinayupak mo'ng ama."

That's my signal to turn my back to them. "See? Kita mo kabastusan ng batang iyan!"

Those venomous words my mother spat to me I can accept them all, I'll wait for the time she will say the word I love you and will hug me as I wanted to hug her.

[Reed]

Nagulat ako nang may isang cup ng lemonade ang sumulpot sa harap ng mukha ko. "A drink for your thoughts?" Nakangiti'ng bati ni Dieve.

"Thanks." Wika ko nang iabot niya sa akin ang cup ng lemonade. "Siya nanaman ba ang iniisip mo?" Tanong niya.

Tumango lang ako. "Kung kailan nahanap ko na tayong lahat 'tsaka naman siya lumayo."

Noong nakaraang araw lang ay nalaman ko'ng si Dieve ang huli ko'ng hinahanap dahil aksidenteng may nalaglag na note mula sa libro niya.

"He will come back," lumingon ako sa gawi niya. He is staring at me. "Paano mo nasabi?" He shrugged his shoulder. "I just know. Gut feeling."

Napangiti naman ako sa iniasta niya. "Ngiti naman d'yan. Sayang ang ganda ng araw oh." He said as he pinched my nose.

Ngumiti naman ako at nagulat ako nang dahan-dahan niyang pinagsalikop ang mga kamay namin. Ngumiti siya kaya naman nakita ko ang malalim niyang dimples.

"Pwede ba'ng habang wala siya sa akin muna ang atensyon mo? Kahit kasi malayo siya, siya pa rin iniisip mo."

"Ano'ng topak mo? May lagnat ka ba ngayon?"

Umiling lang siya. "Wala." Nanatili ang ngiti niya pero mas nagulat ako nang hitakin niya ako payakap sa kanya.

"Kahit sana ngayon lang ako naman ang mapansin mo."

Hindi ko maintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya. Para bang binibiro niya lang ako sa tono niya pero andoon pa rin ang pagiging seryoso rito.

"Wag ka nga magbiro, Dieve."

"Sino nagsabing nagbibiro ako?"

Pakiramdam ko pinamulhan ako sa sinabi niya.

"Reed, please, mula pa pagkabata natin gan'to na ang nararamdaman ko. Will you let me court you?"