Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29:

The Threshold

"AYOKO na sa'yo, Jacquin."

"I forced her abortion."

"Jacquin, slow down! You're too fast!" sigaw ni Kuya Izaak.

"K-Kuya JJ!" hinihingal na sigaw ni Raqi. "A-Akala ko, magja-jogging lang t-tayo? We're not in a race, are we?!"

"JJ, wait!"

"My legs are shaking, Kuya JJ! Stop muna tayo!"

Jack kept running...

"You're boring me. Gusto ko nang makipaghiwalay..."

"Because I thought at that time, it will destroy her future and yours..."

"Look at the mirror, Jacquin! Tingin mo, magkakagusto talaga ako sa isang katulad mo? I'm Christeena Blair Delos Santos! You're not worthy to have me!"

"I'm sorry, hijo..."

"You're running too fast, JJ! If you don't slow down, you might trip!" babala ni Kuya Izaak, halos hindi na makahinga ng maayos sa paghabol kay Jack. "Jasiel Jacquin, you're going to fall!"

"I forced her abortion."

"I'm sorry, hijo..."

"Look at the mirror, Jacquin! Tingin mo, magkakagusto talaga ako sa isang katulad mo? I'm Christeena Blair Delos Santos! You're not worthy to have me!"

Hindi na din maramdaman ni Jack ang mga binti't paa niya, ni ang lupang tinatapakan niya... Hindi niya na maramdaman ang buong katawan. He's running like a mad man.

His eyes were point blank. Hindi niya na din alam kung saan na siya patungo, kung nakatayo pa ba siya at patuloy pa ring tumatakbo.

"Jacquin, stop running for a moment!"

"Kuya JJ, ano ba?!"

Voices... he can hear voices... But not from his siblings. Nor from the present.

Two voices... Only two voices. From the past...

"I forced her abortion."

"You're boring me. Gusto ko nang makipaghiwalay... Napaka-uto uto mo!"

"I forced her abortion."

"I want to be a... mommy!" hagikgik ni Blair... "...gusto ko talagang maging Mommy someday. Tapos 'yung baby ko, aalagaan ko palagi. Mamahalin ko ng super duper! I will play with my child, talk to her, read stories for her, kiss and hug her..."

"I forced her abortion."

"Basta magiging mommy ako paglaki ko. I'm going to have many children with you!"

"I forced her abortion."

"Good riddance, Jacquin."

"Kuya JJ!"

"Jacquin!"

Huminto ang mga boses. Tumama ang paa niya sa kung ano... Jack saw himself falling... sa sementadong daan...

He snapped out of his own world, and his reflexes took over. Bago siya humalik sa lupa ay mabilis niyang natukod ang dalawang kamay. Jack was able to stop his face from hitting the ground, but his hands and knees got the most impact.