HUNCH

As I recall the times when I first saw her in our home, to this day, I still cant believe my only dad did that in my life. What did Moma do to make Dad do that? Is it because I reprimand? Is it because she can no longer give the love that should last?

Moma has been a good Mother and Wife. Even though Papa was very tired then because he was the one working for the two of them. Dad stopped her from working. As far as I know, She is a Manager in a famous company, the ElCruise Company, where she has a big position there. I used to ask him why that he is always away because he was only seen once at home. Even about three birthdays, Francheska and I had without Dad.

We were accompanied by Tita Rondalia and Tito Keith, our substitute godparents. They are Moma's Single friends. Yes, single but now, not anymore. They already have children.

"Scarlette? It's time for us to go outside, let's go..." she just stared at me and didn't even blink and closed the door again. I just sighed. I almost gave my very best to go closer to her every single time but she didn't want to let me enter her world. She doesn't want me to be close to her, even Moma.

Well, let's just say that, after the incident and revelation, it was hard to accept the fact that she is part of this Family. And Yes, it was hard at first. It's very difficult. Sometimes when we eat with them, the table becomes quiet compared to the times when there are no problems, the four of us laugh happily and talk at the dinner table. You know what you really want to say to your parents for what they did wrong but I always imprint in my mind the word "Respect."

But, is my Dad worth the word "Respect"? Even if Dad betrayed?

Its Saturday. And when we say Saturday, we're just at home or window shopping with my Parents. I was in the room when suddenly something broke in downstairs. What on earth is happening? Our house used to be quiet so I was shocked, why is it noisy? Maybe Francheska broke another plate? My eyes widened and confusedly went down. Maybe Papa will scold me again. I saw how angry Dad was so I didn't want to see my sister cry.

I immediately went down and I was near the last step of the stairs when I saw Moma, sitting on the floor while holding onto the table that she was intently leaning on her strength on it.

Why does my mom cry? And take note, I seldom see her crying. She does that if someone did bad to her, well, she is really a happy person. I really love her smile. When she wakes me up and Francheska to prepare to go to school, her bright and beautiful smile is the first one to see in the morning.

Let's go back to the scene.

And I saw some broken pieces of plates, a thought that crossed my mind. My Moma was the one who created the sounds earlier and I thought it was Cheska... My eyes went in the direction of Papa, holding a backpack and a strolling bag.

After a few seconds, it was quiet because Moma didn't even utter a sound when one woman and a young child entered our house. A woman in her 40s holding a girl in her right hand. And they are crying too. Minutes passed, and my Dad breaks the silence. My heart starts beating fast. I heard a couple of sounds that someone is going down the stairs and I turn my direction and saw my sister happily walking down the stairs and hurriedly stop her. Her face looks confused.

"Ate, Let's go. We're going out, remember?"

She was just in fourth grade, but her communication skills are at A level. aS I hold her both hands and slowly walk towards going up to the second floor.

"Moma and Dad have something to talk about and it is very important." She was quiet until we reached our library. I saw Manang Gina and signaled her to come closer to us. "Manang, I'm sorry to say this but can you lend us to help our meals to be brought up here?" I leaned closer more to her and we walked a little bit far from Cheska who is now looking at us, intensely curious.

"What is it? Did you see your parents downstairs?" Gradually my tears flowed and I nodded. "Shh ... okay, okay, I'll take your food. It looks like you can't continue your walk now. " It just keeps wiping away my tears that are falling.

The moment I cried that time, I knew that things would go differently from what we have been since the very beginning. I told Manang to go to the Kitchen for our food and she went outside.

"Ate? What's wrong? And why are you crying? Did Dad scold you again?" she caressed my hair and she looks at me worried. I shook my head and sighed.

"Your Ate is doing fine. Something... is just going on in my head, that's why..."

"Hmmm, okay.

I'm just here for you, Ate. You know that you know already, right? " I nodded.

"That's good. Ate? Can you tell me where will we go this time? Tagaytay? Ahhh... That's quite amazing! I want to know where will we go this time. It's Saturday. "

I just smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "I'll just go downstairs to see what is happening there," she nodded. I walked near the shelves and touch one book as I look at Cheska. "For now, I want you to read some books while you are waiting for me and Manang. If Manang first comes here, I want you to eat the food that will be brought here and eat. You will not go out of this room as I said so, do you understand, baby?" She nodded with determination as she stands up and saluted at me.

I walked again near her and kissed her forehead. She immediately walked near our books and pick some books. I smiled faintly.

You were wondering why did I bring up my sister here in the library? It's because this room is soundproof. I don't want Francheska will hear my parents shouting and screaming their lungs with each other. I want, at all costs, to put in her mind and heart, that we are a good family. A good family that she will look forward to and will be an example when she will have her own. I walked near the door and open it and take one last look at my sister, who is now happily reading her all-time favorite, J.K Rowling's book entitled Troubled Blood, and saw a Harry Potter in front of her that is put on the table. I closed the door and immediately, walk down the stairs.

"I'm sorry, Melanie. But Celestia's Daughter is my Daughter too ..."

Daughter too ... Daughter too ---

"Wait---What?!"

I can't believe what I just heard. Dad looked at me in horror. I gained back my strength and heaved a sigh as I walked toward Moma. I immediately hug her and make her feel okay. She's crying like it's just the end of the world. I looked at her meaningfully.

"Darling, what are you doing here? Did your Daddy and I wake up? We're not leaving yet because we're just talking n-n-your Daddy. Go back to your room. I saw Manang Gina preparing earlier in the kitchen, they will deliver your food there." She tries to take me up the stairs but I refuse.

"Mom! I don't want to! And what did you say, Dad? Is he your daughter?" Dad can't even look me in the eyes. He didn't answer back instead, he talked to my Moma.

"Melanie. I'm really sorry for what I have done for the past eighteen years in our marriage life. I know it's a sign from God and in our Family. I'm very sorry ..." I was shocked when she took a walk toward Papa and almost stopped him by slapping but she just messed up her hair feeling so annoyed. My heart... I can't see Moma like this.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?!! Desmund!! For all those sacrifices we have done in our marriage, this is what you give in return?! A Mistress?"

Mistress? No... I can't... Dad... Why...

"Don't say to my Mama like that."

I get to see who this girl is, and I froze. As I change my direction, I was more frightened to know. Is she my---

"Scarlette? Is that you? Are you my step-sister?" She didn't look at me. More like she ignored me as if I was just a stranger. Why? Why her? Why of all people, she will be my other---?!

I was startled again when she tries to stand up straight. I was taken aback when I see some droplets of blood. No, Mom! I didn't see that before as she drove me away. I immediately looked for a cloth to wrap in her hand. And when I found a cloth, I immediately went back to her who is now struggling to stand straight, so I hold her free hand while wrapping the cloth to her wounded skin.

"Melanie, I'm so sorry for what I have done. I... can't take seeing my daughter growing up and not even meeting her Biological Father. And I-I know, we are best friends since child-childhood. And at the same time, I d-did this to you, I'm really... sorry. I know that right now, it's ha-hard to accept, and please fo-fo-forgive me, Melanie. All I did these years w-was to si -silently pray and have the courage to tell you about me a-and your husband. "

Then my dad started to explain things after the woman speaks to Moma and finally, Moma speaks up. "When did this happen?" My father went silent. Even Celestia too. "I...said...when...did...this...happened!" I froze, again.

I never thought of Moma being this angry. She is the sweetest. She never slaps me or spanks me but she disciplines me in words. Although she sometimes, spanks our hands or shoulders, she is sure that we will have a good sermon after that. We know her as a sweet and loving Mother and Wife. She doesn't even act at us being irritated and moody. Celestia answered for Papa. I looked at her while having pains that are being daggered to my heart.

"After your Victory Party of your successful convenience store."

"You did seeing each other in my back? Really?" Celestia shook her head in disagreement.

"No, it's not like that. I was devastated when Henry broke up with me. And I called Desmund over the phone to come to see me in the Hower's Drink Bar and after that, I went blackout. I rose up and I see Desmund beside the bed and I realized, I was naked. Please, Melanie... Whenever loved each other. It-It was the alcohol who brought us into a one-night stand." Ms. Celestia said as she moves toward Mother and tries to hold her hand but she did not want to.

"Don't touch me, Celestia!" Mom angrily moves away from the hands of Ms. Celestia.

"Honey, it was the alcohol who brought us up, naked. I didn't think nor planned that I will make out with Celestia." Dad insisted and I heard Mom scoff.

"Whether planned or not, still, you two did not do good with our Family, Desmund."

"Please, I'm really sorry. I'm really, really, sorry ..." I was looking intently at Scarlette and she has the aura of a cold person.

God? Why does my Family have this kind of problem?

Then suddenly, the place became quiet. I still heard Ms. Celestia trying to talk with Moma and didn't move. And later on, her face slowly lifts up.

"Okay. Your other daughter will stay here." I see that Scarlette and Ms. Celestia froze. "Only your daughter is allowed in this house. No more, No less." What?! No Freaking Way!

"But Moma---"

She caresses my hands with her soft palm. I shook my head while she is smiling at me. Oh common on, Mom! Don't smile at me like that!

"It's alright. Moma is strong. I and your Father will get through this." She gently caresses too my hair and kissed my forehead. She always does that to calm me.

"Did I hear it correctly, Melanie? Are you sure it is okay that my daughter will be living in your house?" she changed again her facial expression from happy to serious face.

"Yes. I don't have any choice but to accept the fact that my Husband impregnated another woman. And Hey! It's my best friend."

When Moma is being in a Sarcastic? You better hide because it's frightening to see her like that. I did see that Ms. Celestia knows well about how she is as a person. Her smile did fade away as she started to be Sarcastic.

"Thank you, Melanie. Thank you, Honey." she just nodded to Papa's words. But Father's smile immediately faded away too when they heard this.

"I will be sleeping in the guest room. While you, Desmund, Honey, will be sleeping alone in our room. And your daughter --- What's the name again of your daughter?"

"Scarlette Denise, Maam."

"Alright. Do you see that room over the left side, the second room? That's your own room, now. I'll go to sleep. I'm tired of this." Scarlette looked far from her position to the room that Mom told her that will be her room from now on. Papa immediately went to Moma as he guided her to the guest room while Ms. Celestia and Scarlette went to the room.

Me? I walked slowly to the sofa as my legs starts to be jelly. What a day today. The mere fact that your Father did cheat on your Mother, and she did have a step-sister. Did I do something bad to happen to be like this? In her family? A tear fell on my cheeks. I'm sorry but I felt my body go numb as the thought again that I have a Step-Sister. I thought I and my sister are the only daughter of Dad but no. Maybe I'll accept her when the right time comes.

"Scarlette and Elizabeth! Let's go! We're leaving!"

Mom called us and we immediately went downstairs and saw Francheska holding her IPad and my baggage is already outside of our house. Dad signaled us to go outside because we will have our trip to Siargao today. I smiled and together, we silently went outside each of us put the bags in the compartment and went inside the car. Dad and Mom are on each other's side while Scarlette and Francheska are at the back.

"Ready, girls?"

"Yes, Mommy and Daddy! Let's go!" Francheska shouted and my Parents laughed at how excited Cheska is.

Me and Scarlette? We're just silent as Dad starts to drive.