81. In a flash.

“Lena… It’s you… Lena!”

Lara was utterly confused. Mistulang baliw na biglang naging maamong tupa si Stefano na nakaluhod pa habang gagap ang mga kamay niya. He was calling her by her sister’s name repeatedly.

“Lena, I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” Kinalagan nito ang posas niya at pinaghahalikan ang mga kamay niya. “Are you hurt?”

Diring-diri si Lara, but she was too afraid to do anything that might trigger Stefano to do something dangerous to her.

“I knew that you’re alive!” He stood up and hugged her. “They all lied to me, Lena!”

Nang yakapin siya nito at bahagyang mahila ang buhok niya, that was when it dawned to Lara. Her hair was down. Hindi niya namalayan ang paghulagpos no’n sa pagkakatali niya kanina. At kapag nakalugay ang buhok niya ay kamukhang-kamukha niya ang ate niya.

Stefano was not able to differentiate her from her sister for a reason unknown to Lara. What was going on with him?

“Alam ko na babalik ka!” Ikinulong nito sa mga palad nito ang mukha niya.

Lara couldn’t say