365 Days Contract [EDITING]

Chapter 29

"W-What—"

"I said leave Calen Morgan alone. Kami na ang bahala sa mga gastusin sa bata. Your child doesn't need a father!" Mariin na sabi ni Daddy.

"Dad, no! Ayoko!" Mabilis kong sagot at napatayo sa kinauupuan. Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko.

"Hindi ba ay nakatira ka lang doon dahil siya ang tatay?! Amara said you and Calen have no romantic feelings for each other!"

Umuwang ang labi ko. Kahit na ang dami-dami kong gustong sabihin ay hindi ko mabuka ang bibig ko. Tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa pag-iyak. My heart is throbbing because of the pain.

"You're relationship with him is forbidden, Lavender!" Sigaw pa ulit ni Daddy.

"Lucas!" Sigaw ni Mommy at inawat si Daddy.

"Daddy!" Ani Zion.

"Dad, you don't understand!—"

"Calen Morgan is going to marry her again! Tell me what's not forbidden about that! I can't let others see you as a mistress! You're not going to stoop that low for a man!"

Napaatras ako dahil sa gulat. Uncontrollably tears pooled in my eyes. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa tiyan ko. My chest tightens as my father's word engraves in my mind.

Calen is what? Going to marry her again? Totoo ba ang mga naririnig ko o gumawa lang ng kuwento ang Amara na 'yon? How desperate can she be to make up that kind of story?!

"Dad, Calen said he likes me!" I reasoned out while wiping my tears away. Nanlalabo na ang mga mata ko kaiiyak.

"Like?! Jesus, Lavender! Liking someone is only for a short satisfaction! For only lusts! Liking is different from loving! Gaano ka ba kabulag at hindi mo 'yon makita?! Gaano ba kakitid ang utak mo at bakit hindi mo 'yon maintindihan?!" Malakas na sigaw ni Daddy na nagpatahimik sa akin. Patuloy lang ako sa pag-iyak.

"Lucas, your daughter is pregnant! Calmly talk to her!" Awat ni Mommy at lumapit sa akin para yakapin ako.

Mas lalong lumakas ang iyak ko. I know Mom is disappointed in me, too, but she's still siding with me. I'm such a cruel daughter. I know that they are hurting too, and it's my fault in the first place.

I shouldn't have thirsted over the freedom I thought would break me free from my parents. E'di sana ay hindi ganito ang kakahantungan ng lahat. But if I did that, then I would've never met Calen. I would not be able to carry his child. And thinking about that makes my heart ripped.

I guess, after months of denying it, I can somehow admit now that I'm happy carrying his child. I'm delighted that I was beside Calen for months, and I'm starting to love the child I'm bearing even without meeting it yet.

"How can you expect me to calm when your daughter is too dumb to understand what I'm trying to say?!" Napahilamos sa mukha si Daddy. Tumahimik si Mommy at hindi na nakasagot pa.

Zion wiped my tears away and hushed me. Humikbi ako nang malakas. I can't control my feelings anymore. Mas lalo pang nagpapabigat ng dibdib ko ang hindi pagsagot. It's not because I am afraid to talk back, but because it makes me speechless. I can't defend myself because Dad's words hit me like a bullet and slapped me with the truth.

"Lavender, let me ask you this question. Did Calen say he loves you?" Malumanay na tanong ni Daddy sa akin. Humupa na ang matinding galit niya kanina, pero halatang nagpipigil pa rin siya ng galit.

Napalunok ako. Calen says he's falling for me, but there is no assurance yet. Napapikit ako habang umiiyak at dahan-dahang umiling kay Daddy,

"See, Iris?!" Sabi ni Daddy kay Mommy. "I can't give my child to someone who can't be sure of her! I won't let that happen! I would die first before that happens!"