“What do you want us to talk about?” mahinang tanong niya sa kanyang ina.
She’s trying her very best na hindi maging halata. She ever wore her only turtle neck blouse na nahanap niya sa loob ng kanyang bagahe. Laking pasalamat na lang talaga niya at meron siyang ganito, Kung wala ay mapupuno na naman ng concealer ang kanyang leeg hanggang dibdib.
“Where were you last night?” tanong nito. “I called you multiple times, pero hindi ka sumasagot kagabi. Sabi ng isang maid, you went out to look for Lucifer ngunit nang tawagan ko si Luke, he said you’re not with him. So saan ka galing kagabi?”
Hinilot niya ang kanyang sintido at bumuntong hininga. Sa totoo lang ay hindi niya alam kung paano niya lulusutan itong tanong ng kanyang mommy.
“Look, Lyla. I know you’re already at your right age to go and party outside. But you’re not in New York. Hindi mo kabisado ang Pinas, Lyla. Lalo na ang Batanes. Ni hindi ka man lang nag-text or call sa ‘kin para sabihin kung nasaan ka na.”
She bit her low
