s i Ni s t e r

Untitled Part 72

GULAT SI AMBER SA NABABAAN SA KOMEDOR.

"Mom?" Hindi niya ito narinig na dumating. She was in the bath tub, contemplating what she was about to do tonight, picturing it step by step.

Luminga sa kanya ang mommy niya. Nangunot ang noo, "What are you wearing?"

"Um--" naka-all black siya. Leggings, sweatshirt, sneakers. "What are you doing here?" Tanong na lang niya kaysa ipaliwanag ang suot niya.

"Oh, yeah. Right. I'm supposed to be at the party." Natuliro na ang mommy niya.

"Party---" natigilan si Amber. Sina Kim. They went through with the plan kahit sinabihan niya na huwag nang mag-abala dahil hindi naman nila na-kontak si Darby pagkatapos ng text niyon kay Kim. She reminded them how unreliable Darby was. Ayaw niyang ma-disappoint lang ang parents niya.

"I know we're not supposed to know." Sabi ng kanyang mommy, inayos ang lapat ng suot na black turtle neck at rust colored flowy skirt. Hindi nakuntento, nagtungo sa salas para i-check rin ang make-up sa malaking salamin na nakaharap sa sofa. "But I was really curious as to why your friends begged me to come. So I cheated. I called up the Terazza office and I was, well, surprised." Animo batang na-reunite sa favorite toy ang ngiti nito. "I also asked for the CCTV footage on the Terazza pavilion..." Luminga ito kay Amber, "...and decided to give her a little surprise."

"Ha?" Usal niya.

"So I won't feel bad ruining her surprise party for us, I'll throw a surprise party for her."

"Y-You mean Darby?"

Bumukas an front door, pumasok si Malou, ang longtime assistant ng kanyang mommy. Kasunod nito ang driver na si Bert at isa pang babae. May mga dalang lobo at malalaking shopping bags.

"She's here."

"Y-You actually saw her?" Parang sinikmuraan ang pakiramdam ni Amber.

"In the video...oh, gosh, Malou! Were you able to get those macaroons?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Good. Amber, call your dad. Tell him we need to go, it's past eight. And please change, will you? You look like a thief."

"Where's the video, Mom? I want to see."

"Ask Malou." Hilong talilong ang kanyang mommy pero kung titingnan mong mabuti, wala namang ginagawa. Mukha lang abala dahil galaw nang galaw at minamadali ang lahat, parang may masamang mangyayari. Mula pa noong bata si Amber, ganoon na ang kanyang mommy. Kaya imbes na ma-excite siya kapag may mga lakad sila, natatakot siya. Her mother would scream at her for being too slow, pero ito mismo, hindi pa naman nakakapagbihis. Hindi pa makapag-decide ng isusuot, and that stressed her mother all the more.

Her mother could turn a trip to the zoo stressful and traumatic.

"Malou!" Tawag niya habang ang maid na si Dang naman ang ini-stress ng kanyang mommy, pinapatawag sa Terazza kung marami nang bisita doon.

Nasa back porch si Malou, minamandohan ang driver at iyong isang babae kung saan-saan ikakalat ang mga lobo.

"I need to see the CCTV footage." Aniya kay Malou. "Mom said you have a copy."

Binuksan ni Malou ang cell phone, ipinasa kay Amber. Bumaba siya mula sa porch at tumakbo sa gilid ng bahay. Doon niya pinanood ang black and white at medyo blurry na footage.