Parent Trap

Cassandra's Thoughts

Cassie's POV

My mom, Lea has been gone for a few days, and my dad assured us that she'll be coming home soon. It's unlike me to suspect or speculate about what's happening within the family but there is something I my father is keeping from us, or at least from me.

Roan and Rohan were evasive when I asked them about mom. Their exchange glances before answering my questions only proves that there is something going on.

"Hi, Ate." I heard Rohan called me from downstairs. At first I thought he was calling out for me but when I look down, I saw that he is talking to someone on the phone.

All my life, I craved to have a younger sibling who could be as sweet and gentle as Rohan and Roan and as loving as Mireya and Athrun.

"I heard you were hurt. How are you?"

I frowned when I heard that. I'm not sure if Rohan is talking to one of his cousins but those times that I heard him conversing with his older cousins, they are talking in their mother tongue. Does this mean.... That he's talking to that one particular person?

"Rohan!" I called for him and he almost drop the phone out of fright.

"Yes?"

"Who's that? Are you talking to mom?" I asked cheerily, hiding the real emotion I felt at this instant. I don't want to be a villain by antagonizing Kendra Carmela since I know now that she's an important person in their lives.

"Errr.. nope." He said. Then said goodbye to the person on the other end of the line.

"Then who was it?"

"A friend." Rohan answered simply. "I thought you and Roan will be going out today."

Ah! He's diverting the subject. This made me more curious on who he was talking to. But I guess, it wasn't my business since he doesn't want to disclose. A girlfriend? Could be. But I heard him say Ate.

KC is out of the question since I overheard the twins talking about her. On how she is ignoring their calls nor their messages. That Kendra really is a terrible person. I don't know how she managed to get the sympathy of my family despite her cold and awful personality.

"She said she has an urgent task to do today. Mireya and Athrun are both asleep for their afternoon nap. So it's just you and me." I said trying to smile kindly, concealing my frustration about the identity of the caller.

Rohan put his phone on the pocket of his shorts, "We can talk..you know. About anything."

I'm glad that he's the one suggesting this conversation since I do not know how to deal with boys...or teenagers.

"I would love that." I said.

***

Rohan is staring blankly at the flowers in our mother's garden. While I contented myself with the silence. This wasn't awkward, it's not comforting either.

"When I was younger, Roan and I sometimes fought on who should be the firstborn. Well, technically, Roan was the first to come out. But I argued that we're only few minutes apart." Rohan started. "When we were four, occasionally, she would allow me to become the older one. On all those occasion was when you will get to be scolded first."

(A/N: Actually di ko na maalala kung sino nauna. Basta ang alam ko si Roan iyon. 🤣)

I smiled at his story. But my heart is envious. They have each other while me...all alone.

"I wish I were there to take the blame for anything." I said quietly. And I was surprised on my sincerity.

This time, Rohan looked at me and smiled. He has a very gentle smile. Very kindhearted.

"You're here now, Ate." He said and I was taken aback with those words.

Yeah. I am here now and I am not going anywhere. I will hold on to my family as tight as I could.

***

Rohan's POV

NAKIKITA KO kung paano lumamlam ang mga mata ni Ate Cassie. Lungkot at pangungulila ang mababakas sa kanyang mukha. Alam ko hindi naging madali ang buhay niya sa Europa dahil nagpalipat-lipat siya ng foster homes at sa pamilyang huling kumopkop sa kanya ay hindi naging maayos amg pagtrato sa kanya.

Paano ko nalaman?

Well, narinig ko lang naman noong minsang may kausap siya sa cellphone. Narinig ko ang buong pagtatalo nila ng kanyang kausap. At kahit ideny ni Ate na ang asawa niya iyon ay alam kong siya iyon.

Tinawag niya kasing Anthony iyong kausap kaya sigurado ako.

Pinapabalik na pala siya sa London dahil nakabalik na doon ang asawa niya na nanggaling pa sa Australia. Hindi totoong alam ni Anthoy na narito siya sa amin. Dahil ang rinig kong sabi ni Ate Cassie ay nakikituloy lang siya sa isa niyang kaibigan dito sa Pilipinas. Doon ko napagtanto na hindi ito ang unang beses na narito si Ate sa Pinas.

Kaya pala medyo marunong siyang magsalita ng wikang Pilipino ay dahil nagagawi na siya dito. Pero nagdududa naman ako sa kanyang identity.

Hindi ko maipaliwanag pero parang may mali.

Ayoko nang magsuspetsa dahil nagaw ko na ito minsan kay mommy at noon ako pala ay maling-mali. Ayoko nang maulit iyon kay Ate Cassie.

So hindi ko na lang papansinin itong nararamdaman kong pagdududa o paghihinala dahil baka wala din kahihitnan nito at maaari nitong wasakin ang kapayapaan sa pamilya namin.

"How did you take it?" Tanong ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. Wala akong makitang pagkakahawig niya sa aming magkakapatid or sa aming mga magulang pero I've been told that physical appearance is not a basis of affinity.

"Hmmm? What do you mean?" She asked confused. The way her brows meet is somewhat familiar with Dad.

"When you found out about us?"

All I know is that, Mom and Dad were the ones who coordinated with the Doctors and private investigators then contacted Ate Cassie personally. Hindi daw nila naabutan si Ate Cassie sa London noon dahil nasa Australia daw. Kaya thru social media na lang.

"At first I thought that it's just another prank."

Another prank? Ibig bang sabihin nito naloko na siya dati?

"I've been conducting investigation too about my parentage. And numerous times, I've been tricked. But when Mom called me and said that I am her daughter, I didn't hesitate. It's as if at that moment, everything was put back in its rightful place. Funny, isn't it? But that was what it was like for me."

Napatango ako.

I have no more words. She's becoming emotional and I don't know how to handle emotional women. Ni minsan kasi di ko pa nakita ang nanay ko na vulnerable and at the verge of tears.

"This might be a bit late. But....welcome home, Ate." I said.

And for the first time. Nakita kong ngumiti si Ate Cassie. Hindi iyong pilit. Pero iyong totoong ngiti na walang halong pangamba at takot.

****

A/n: I'm currently working on another fanfic kaya hindi ko naupdate ito. 😅 Sinusubukan kong gumawa ng fanfic for a Korean Drama. Pinapag-aralan ko pa kung paano ang culture at way nang pakikipag-usap nila. Anyway, have a happy weekend po.