Fifteen Grace

FG - 49

FIFTEEN

"Oh, Fifteen, I'm sorry," sinserong sabi ng Mommy ni Shinichi.

"I don't want to hurt your son, yet I hurt him," I murmured in pain, his mom wipe my tears using her own handkerchief.

"Please don't give up,” his Father pleaded, “when I die he'll needs you..." parang hinihingal na sabi ng daddy niya. Hirap na hirap na siya kahit sa pagsasalita lamang.

"A shoulder to cry on, he really needs that," his mom added.

“You’ll gonna support each other, Fifteen,” she said firmly. “He needs you. He’ll do anything for you. Just look at those bruises on the side of his lips.” I look at her with interest while wiping my tears. “Pupunta pa raw siya ng police station para sampahan ng patong-patong na kaso ang lalaking humalay sa’yo."

"Police? Kaso? You mean..." dahan-dahan ang pagkurap ko sa bawat tanong ko. Letting my mind sink in the information I learned. Now everything happened last night gets clearer. Before I got unconscious, I heard Shinichi's voice, I thought I am hallucinating since the only man I can think of that time is him. The only name I can shout at that moment—even if my mouth is gag by a clothe—I heard him before I lost my consciousness.

He saved me, his bruises can prove it. Once again, I felt guilty, niligtas niya ang buhay ko pero ano ‘tong iginanti ko? Tahimik na lang na tumulo ang aking luha. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako lulugar, sinira ko na ang relasyon namin.

"Some things are inescapable, my dear," malungkot na banggit ng ginang.

I nod in solemn agreement.

SHINICHI

Mabilis ang mga hakbang ko papuntang kotse para kuhain ang nakalimutan kong prutas na binili ko para kay Daddy. Napailing ako. What is happening? I am not this forgetful.

Fifteen happened.

I hurt her again at dahil na naman ‘to kay Ish. I didn’t screw up dahil sumabay lang sa'kin si Ish.

Hindi na 'ko nagsayang ng oras pa, matapos makuha ang pakay ay mabilis na ‘kong bumalik sa kwarto ni dad. Trishia bid a good bye to me already dahil may kailangan pa siyang tapusin. I am not planning to stay here longer, pupunta pa ‘ko sa police station para ireport ang nangyari kagabi. Dahil sa masyadong abala, pulisya na ang bahala sa kaso. Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao dahil hindi ko maiwasang maisip ang mga nangyari kagabi. I want to smack Jim's face over and over again until I can’t recognize his face anymore.

Did Fifteen read the note I leave for her? She didn’t text me back. Kinain rin kaya niya ang niluto ko para sa kanya? I heave a sigh. Whatever, she’s here, I will ask her instead.

Dahan-dahan kong ipinihit ang pinto pabukas para hindi makaistorbo sa usapan nila. Pahakbang na ‘ko papasok nang marinig ko ang garalgal at malungkot na boses ni daddy.

"Take care of my son, Fifteen,” I heard him say.

"Sure she will, honey,” mom said, “She loves our son."

"Thank you, it’s hard to keep this kind of secret to him," Fifteen murmured. My eyebrows met. Secret? What secret is she talking about? Tahimik ko siyang dinungaw mula sa nakauwang na pinto. Nakaupo siya sa tabi ng kama ni dad habang si mom ay nakaupo sa isang upuan, malapit kay dad.

"I know, dear, and we’re sorry that you were place in between of this conflict.” What are they talking about? Does Fifteen know about dad’s situation? Before us?

“Don’t be sorry," she said. "I unders –” I didn’t notice that my grip loosens, the plastic I am holding landed on the floor. “Shin –”