Mercedez 2: Blinding Lights

5

Mother

Ever since that day, maraming nagbago. I didn't want to go to school anymore. I always lock myself in my room, refusing to face anyone. I feel so ashamed. Hiyang-hiya ako.

After waking up from collapsing, our family had a very heartbreaking discussion.

I woke up inside my room with our family doctor checking on me and confirming my pregnancy. I'm not allowed to go out since this news should not reach our board members, lalo na't against sila sa akin bilang future boss nila.

They cannot see my mom's tigress leadership in me kaya pinagdududahan nila ang kapasidad ko. Ngayong nangyari 'to sa akin... I think tama sila. Isa akong failure.

"Just give me a call anytime, Mr. and Mrs. Luche..." ani doc bago nagpaalam.

Stable naman daw ako at strong ang kapit ng babies ko sa'kin kaya wala raw dapat ipag-alala. Yes, I am having twins. I'm nineteen and carrying two babies inside me.

I sighed.

"Jennie, I hope you can assist Gucci extra. Narinig mo naman ang sabi ng doctor kanina, hindi ba? Sa lahat ng pwedeng manahin sa'kin, yung normal fainting spells ko pa talaga!" Mom ranted, a bit horrified.

"Opo, ma'am Vien."

I brought my left hand to my mouth and started biting my nails. Nanatiling nasa makapal na puting kumot ang mga mata ko. 

"Gucci," halos mapapitlag ako nang marinig ang boses ni dad. It was the first time I heard him talk ever since I woke up. It's not helping that his voice sounded so monotone. Mas sanay ako na sweet siya at soft pag dating sa akin. Now that he's like this, I feel more scared.

Nag-angat ako ng ulo sa kanila pero ang mga mata ko ay nakaiwas. I was looking at the vase beside him. 

"Who's the father?"

I bit my lower lip and looked at the white blanket covering my legs again. I'm already sitting down while my upper body is leaning on my headboard.

"Yung pumunta ba rito last time at nagpakilalang boyfriend mo?" I can sense the anger laced in his strained voice now. 

I shook my head in desperation. I looked up, gathering all the courage to look into my father's eyes. Bumuka ang bibig ko para sana umalma pero nang makita ko ang sakit at galit na nakaukit sa mga mata niya ay walang lumalabas na kahit anong salita sa akin na para bang bigla akong naging mute kaya isinara ko nalang ulit. Mabilis akong napaiwas ng tingin dahil mas lalong bumigat ang dibdib ko.

"Then tell me kung sino ang papanagutin ko, Gucci Zarene!" Tuluyan na akong napapitlag when his voice thundered. Unti-unting umalpas ang kanina ko pang pinipigilang hikbi. My lips quivered and my hands turned colder.

"Rugo, calm down!" Tito Vann stepped in.

My dad harshly blew a breath. I'm not looking at him pero rinig na rinig ko ang frustrations niya.

"Calm down, Vann?! Do you think I can calm down when my baby got pregnant by an asshole na hindi niya maiharap sa'kin?! Gucci's still nineteen! Ang bata-bata niya pa! Marami pa siyang gustong gawin at kailangang matutunan tapos biglang aakuin niya ang responsibilidad ng pagiging ina nang mag-isa?! Kailangang managot ng bastardong iyon! Grabeng pag-iingat namin sa nag-iisang anak namin 'e tapos iiwan niya lang sa ere ngayong buntis na?! Hindi ko matatanggap iyon! Prinsesa ko iyan, V-Vann!" Mas lalo akong napahikbi nang marinig ang pagkabasag ng boses ni dad. "Prinsesa ko iyan eh... Baby ko pa iyan eh... H-Hindi pa... Hindi niya pa dapat 'to pagdaanan..." Nanghihina niyang ani.

When I looked up to them again, para akong sinaksak ng maraming kutsilyo. My dad broke down and my mom's just there hugging him as if they are getting strength from each other. I never saw my parents this miserable.