KAHAPON (BxB)

Chapter 19

Alice in Wonderland

"Excuse me who are you?

I don't know what to say. Bahagya akong natigilan hindi ko alam kung anong pwede kong sabihin.

She squints her eyes at me examining me from head to toe. Nanginginig na ako sa kinatatayuan ko ngayon. As much as I tried to be calm my body says the opposite.

"Hazel sino siya bakit siya nandito?" Formal niyang sabi.

Maybe I should just tell her na katulong ako dito. For perhaps katulong naman talaga ako but the thought that she's Joey's mother makes me more anxious. I was more than stunned by her beauty too and her fashion that was screaming in gold. The fuming feathery coat na minsan ko nang nakita sa isang sikat na magazine ng mga fashion designer plus her flowing red dress and the silver necklace hang on her neck paired by the royal long earings making her look extravagant.

I was about to talk when a familiar voice echoed inside.

"Mom, he's my friend! Hindi mo sinabing pupunta ka"

Lumingon ako to see Joey. There's slang in his voice but it's more of a happy tone than worried. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa kanyang ina sabay halik sa noo nito.

"Oh dear Ethaniel, look at you ang gwapo ng anak ko" masayang sabi ng babae. Ginulo pa niya ang buhok ni Joey.

Joey was currently on his sports wear. Hindi man siya pawisan ay bakas ang pagod sa mukha niya well, he has pretty intense game kanina.

"Oh Hazel hindi mo sa'kin sinabi na nandito pala ang kaibigan ni Joey" she then looks at Hazel with warm eyes at ibinaling ang tingin sa akin. His voice quite sweet but in authority.

"Actually kaibigan ko rin po siya kaya hindi ko na pinaalam sa inyo Ante, hehe" awkward na sabi ni Hazel. My shoes stiffened.

"Mom, he's my friend napakabuti niyang tao actually he's staying here with me" masiglang sabi ni Joey. He throw a smile on me assuring me that everything is okay. I feel sudden relief.

Nabigla naman ako sa sinabi niya. Her mom was quite surprised too. She's not expecting that for sure. Pinasadahan niya lamang ako ng tingin.

"Mabuti kong ganun mula sa pagiging basagulero ay nagkaroon ka rin ng matinong kaibigan sa wakas" Her mom cracks a laughter.

"He looks fine." Dagdag pa niya sabay tapon ulit ng tingin sa akin.

Binigyan naman siya ni Hazel at Joey ng masiglang ngiti. I tried to plaster a smile on my face too though hilaw ang mga ngiti ko dahil na rin sa kaba.

"So are you excited to meet your brother?" Her mom asked.

I look to see Joey's reaction. Isang ngiti ang mababakas sa kanyang mukha. Excitement I guess.

"Saan po ba siya ngayon?" Joey asked. May pagkapaos pa ang kanyang boses.

Naglakadlakad ang kanyang ina sa loob ng condo as if examining every details of it. Her plain stilletos creating resounding noise inside.

"He's with your dad and they will be here in Manila the day after tomorrow" sagot niya kay Joey at hinarap ito.

"Dad?" The warm expression of Joey suddenly change. Galit ba siya sa tatay niya?

"Oh come on Ethaniel move on, your dad is so excited to see you, he'll be so happy na makita kayong magkapatid"

"But mom" Joey retorted. There's downcast in his voice as if the word dad is a long lost memory.

"Hush baby Ethaniel, your dad misses you" malambing naman na sabi ng kanyang ina. Lumakad siya papunta sa kinatatayuan ni Joey.

"And mom stop calling me by my second name"