Kabanata 37

"Uhm, so..." Mr. Del Madrid started after the long silence.

No one dared to speak. Their gazed were all plastered to Alu who's sitting beside me; wondering, like a puzzle that needs to assemble.

Lazarus was still holding my hand. Kanina ko pa kinakagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko dahil hindi ako kumportable sa presensya nila.

"Care to explain everything, Lazarus?" his father finally asked.

Tahimik namang nakaupo sa tabi niya ang nanay ni Lazarus na taimtim na nakamasid sa anak ko. Grabe ang tensyon, tunog ng kalabog ng puso ko lang ang naririnig ko.

Tumikhim si Lazarus at umayos ng upo. "Surprise? Lolo at lola na kayo!"

Lazarus let out a warm hearty laugh. It echoed in the corners of the room. No one dared to laugh or say something though. Mas ramdam pa rin ang tensyon ngayon.

"Gago. Paano?" Aquilino finally asked after the long minutes of silence.

Hindi ito mapakali. Hanggang sa lumingon ito sa akin at tinuro ako. "Akala namin patay ka na, Aviona!"

"She isn't, obviously, that's why sh