Every Bad Thing

Chapter Forty

Silas halted in front of our gate, pressing on the car horn twice. Ilang saglit lang ay bumukas ang gate at sumilip si Manong. Nang makita na hindi familiar ang kotse ay lumabas siya. I immediately brought down the window and peered outside.

"Manong." tawag ko at kumaway pa. Nakuha ko agad ang atensyon niya. Recognition plastered on his face when he saw me.

"Ay, Ma'am! Sandali lang po!" nagmamadali itong pumasok sa loob at agad din na binuksan ang malaking gate.

Hindi na kami bumalik sa office para kunin ang sasakyan ko. He just said he'll fetch me tomorrow morning instead. Hindi na ako umangal. Bakit ako aangal? Gusto ko naman.

Nauna akong lumabas ng sasakyan pero hindi na muna ako naglakad para hintayin siya. He locked his car with the key fob before walking towards me. He casually held my hand, entwining our fingers like he'd been doing it for the past four years.

He cleared his throat and looked straight ahead. His face was painted with faint red. "Let's go."

I bit my lip and nodded. I know he can see me through the side of his eyes. I tightened my hold on his hand and walked with him towards the main door.

The main door wasn't locked when Silas twisted the door knob. Kasabay nang pagpasok namin sa loob ng bahay ang pagputok ng kung ano. Napasinghap ako sa gulat. Colorful streamers showered down on us and it was followed by a lone chuckle.

"Congrats!" Hadeon's familiar voice filled my ears. I turned my head to his direction. He's holding a big party popper on his hand.

Silas chuckled. My head turned to him but he was looking at Hadeon. He shook his head, boyishly grinning. "Idiot."

My lips parted. That's the first time I heard Silas say that word. Wow. Looking back, I can't remember a time when he bad mouthed someone. He's just too nice. He's like a saint to me!

"So, kayo na ulit?" twin asked, looking at our joined hands, then at me, with a raised brow.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pag-init ng mukha ko. Silas was distracted, which is why I was able to unclasp my hand from him. Hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya pero ramdam ko ang pagtitig niya sa akin dahil sa ginawa ko.

"W-Where's Mom and Dad?" I stuttered at first, but was able to finish my sentence.

"Not yet home." Hadeon smirked and looked at the guy beside me. "Mom would be thrilled to see you here. Finally."

I pursed my lips. "I'll go and get changed."

I glanced at Silas but quickly looked away when I caught him watching me. Nag-umpisa na akong maglakad patungo sa hagdan nang hindi siya tinitingnan. Hadeon will take care of him. And it's not his first time here... parang bahay niya na rin ito dati.

Scalloped shorts at maluwag na shirt lang ang sinuot ko bilang pambahay. I got rid of my make-up and let my hair down. Nang makuntento sa sariling itsura ay bumaba na ako.

Maliban kay Kuya Xavi, nasa living room na ang lahat. Their attention was all over Silas. Seeing all of them together... It's like I stepped out of time machine and was taken back to four years ago. Tanggap na tanggap ng pamilya ko si Silas. They are warm to him. Anak na ang turing ni Mommy at Daddy sa kanya habang ang mga kapatid ko ay parang mga kapatid na rin niya.

"Ayan na pala si L." my mother announced when she noticed that I've graced them with my presence. Napatingin ang lahat sa akin. She grinned. "Let's eat?"

Sa pool side nagpahanda ng dinner si Mommy. She said tonight's special, so our dinner must be special, too. Nang matapos kumain ay hindi agad umuwi si Silas. My father invited him for a drink to catch up. We all stayed except for Hyon. Umakyat na siya ng kanyang kwarto para magpahinga.