TOBIAS
I IMMEDIATELY went on Zivienne’s house after I talked to Hillary. I pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to open the gate for me. I will fix this. I want to go back to my real family. I want to be with my twin. I just hope she’ll forgive me.
“Oh, hijo?”
Napatingin ako sa gate at nakita ang mama ni Zivienne, na mama ko rin. She’s standing there, smiling at me. Nakaramdam ako ng lukso ng dugo at hindi ko mapigilang yumakap sa kanya. Naramdaman kong nagulat ito, pero yumakap pa rin ito pabalik at tinapik-tapik ang likod ko. Noong una ko siyang makita noong gabing nawala si Zivienne ay nakaramdam din ako nang lukso ng dugo pero pinagsawalang bahala ko lang dahil baka nahihibang lang ako at dala na rin ng pag-aalala kay Zivienne.
“M-mom…” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
“Shh… let’s get inside, shall we?” she said as she guided me in. “Hon…”
Napayuko ako nang makita ang seryosong mukha ng isang lalaking medyo kahawig ni Zivienne. Kahit ang isang basagulerong tulad ko ay biglang natakot sa kanya.
“Son…” Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. I was stunned for a moment when he embraced me. Yumakap din ako pabalik nang makabawi at hindi ko na mapigilang humikbi. “I’m glad that you’ve finally found your way home.”
“D-dad…” Kumalas ako sa yakap at pinahiran ang pisnge ko.
We’ve talked about the things I’ve missed. I apologized to them for denying the truth that I am their son. They’ve told me a lot of stories of Zivienne and kuya Zievo when they are growing up. I was having a good time with them when I saw Zivienne going down the stairs. She stopped when she saw me. She tilted her head on the side, confused as to why am I here. She also looked at our parents who nodded at her.
“Zivienne.” I gave her a smile, but my shoulders dropped when he shook her head and took a step backwards before she ran upstairs. “S-she’s mad at me. She heard me talking about that thing with my friends earlier. I’m so sorry.”
“Talk to her when she’s okay,” dad said. They told me to call them mom and dad in which I gladly obeyed. It feels so good calling them those. “We know Zivienne. Hindi nakakatiis ang batang ‘yan at hindi siya nagtatanim ng sama ng loob nang matagal. I’m sure na magkakabati rin kayo.”
Shaun visited Zivienne and he also stayed for dinner. They’re really close to each other like they are siblings. Bilang kakambal niya, nakakaselos na mas tinuturing niyang kapatid ang kaibigan niya kaysa sa’kin, but I can’t blame her. Kasalanan ko rin naman ‘to. I've hurt her multiple times, and I think this is my punishment for doing so.
“Do you know that you came out first?” kwento ni mom habang nakatingin sa’kin. “Mas matanda ka kay Zivienne ng ilang minuto.”
Tumango-tango ako habang nakangiti. Mom and dad kept telling us stories. Nakikinig naman ako, pero paminsan-minsan ay napapatingin ako sa gawi nina Zivienne dahil nag-uusap sila nina Wave at Shaun. Mhm, nasabi rin sa’kin ni mom na dito muna nakatira si Wave dahil wala itong kasama sa bahay nila.
“Wave, alam mo bang binilhan ako ni Shaunie ng ice cream kanina? Grabe, first time niyang nanlibre,” pagdadaldal ni Zivienne kay Wave. “Oh, edi nilubos lubos ko na. Binili ko lahat ng favorite flavors natin! Tinago ko sa ref. Kainin natin iyon mamaya ha!”
Nasa garden sila sa likod malapit sa may pool at nandito ako sa kwarto ko sa taas. They opened this room for me. Akin naman daw dapat ito kaya lang ay nawala ako kaya sinarado nila at hindi na pinagamit. But now that I’m back, binuksan ulit nila. I also told them that I’ll move my things to live with them. Their reactions are priceless.
