Five O'clock Sky (Nueva Caceres#1)

CHAPTER 33

Hello. This is only a revised version of Chapter 33. I just had to change the arrangements of context. As for Chapter 34, I haven't wrote anything yet. It has been academically demanding lately and everytime I thought of writing at night, I ended up sleeping. Lol.

Have a good night, readers!

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Chapter 33: Confirmation

"My apology, to your family, Pacifico."

Walang paligoy-ligoy na bungad ng Daddy sa mga tao sa living area nang bumalik kami. I was nervously standing behind him. 

"I know we are all in the state of shock tonight after knowing Dahlia's pregnancy. Everything's in chaos. But please excuse me and my family. I believe we also have our own matter to talk about at hindi na ito maipagpapabukas pa." Makahulugan akong nilingon ng Daddy. Eyes sharp yet void of emotion. "Am I right, Xiamara?"

Napalunok ako sa kaba. I bet I was pale.

"Into the study room, Rica. Make sure to bring your daughter with you." Then he stormed out without waiting for anyone's response. Ramdam ko ang pagpipigil niyang magtaas ng boses, ang pagpipigil na sumabog sa galit.

"Anong... anong nangyayari, hija?" Mom stood up and walked towards me. Confused and worried.

I couldn't even open my mouth to speak. Ramdam ko ang sariling panginginig at panlalamig. Sunod ko nalang namalayan ay nasa loob na kami ng study room. Dad was sitting on his swivel chair, behind the table, inaabangan ang aming pagpasok.

"What is this all about, darling?" Mom asked after closing the door. She walked near the table at hinarap ang Daddy. While I couldn't find the strength to take another step.

Mom waited for an answer, but she received none. Ang aking mga mata'y nakatutok sa sahig subalit ramdam ko ang matalim na titig ni Dad na animo'y tatagos iyon sa aking kaluluwa.

"Ask your daughter if there's something that we need to know, Rica." Panganib ang nagbabadya sa likod ng kanyang kalmadong at malamig na tinig.

"What?" Perplexed, bumaling sa'kin ang atensyon ni Mom. "Xiamara, sweetheart, what is your Dad talking about?"

Silence prevailed. Ramdam ko ang mga mata nilang nakatutok sa'kin, nag-aabang ng tugon.

"Oh, please, kanina ko pa gustong himatayin sa tensyon na bumabalot sa kabahayang ito ngayong araw." She snapped in mixed frustration, anxiousness and confusion. "You two could literally be my death tonight. Tension is at the edge already. Ano ba talaga ang dapat nating pag-usapan? Let's cut the chase, please?"

Ilang beses kong sinubok na ipagtapat sa kanila ang tungkol kay Akillez. I have memorized my explanation. Praktisado ko na kung saan ako magsisimulang magpaliwanag. I thought I was ready until Dad would look at me as if he's proud of what I've become. As if this time, he's expecting the best of me. Thinking about the disappointments I might caused in him made me guilty. Dahil alam kong higit sa'kin, mas madidismaya siya sa sarili niya. He'd question himself again kung paano siya nagpaka-ama, just like what happened four years ago.

But maybe I have kept this secret for too long that there's no way I could hide it for another minute. Just when I thought I was ready for this confrontation before I left Spain, all the explanation I've prepared flew away. Ni kung paano simulan ay hindi ko alam.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at sinalubong ang nagtatanong na mata ni Mom. Then, I looked at Dad.

Nilunok ko lahat ng alinlangan. "I— I will have to go back in Spain. You need to meet someone very dear to me, Mom, D-Dad."