34 - Burn
It's been days since the engagement party happened. The whole time Dad was in the hospital, I stayed. Kahit na pilit akong pinaaalis nina Mommy upang magpahinga na ay hindi ako sumunod. I wanted to stay and I didn't let them stop me. The last time something like this happened, I wasn't here. Ngayon ay hindi na ako aalis. Hindi ko na hahayaang maulit pa iyon.
There are leads now as to why this happened and who the culprit is. Mommy and Lola were busy coordinating with the investigators while I stayed with Dad. Sa bawat oras na lumilipas ay walang tigil ang takbo ng isip ko. I found my Dad covered with blood after he tried to chase Mom when she ran away from the party. Zachary and Cassandra Aristizabal went there and it was the reason why my Mother was pissed. Nang makita ko si Daddy ay hindi ko alam na sumunod si Zach. It was him who helped me.
Ipinikit ko nang mariin ang mga mata ko at itinikom ang labi matapos sumimsim sa baso ng kape. I stared at Dad when I opened my eyes again. I've been remembering so much lately. Hanggang panaginip ay sinusundan ako ng mga alaala. The past I was told to forget is haunting me. Naaalala ko na naman ang mga kasalanan ko. I can't help but feel guilty and carry the weight of it again after what happened to Dad. Alam kong wala akong kasalanan ngunit iyon ang nararamdaman ko. Mommy isn't even feeling guilty right now, and I'm not saying she should, because this isn't her fault. Ngunit bakit dala-dala ko pa rin ang bigat ng nangyayari ngayon? This isn't my fault. Hindi ko ginusto ang nangyari. I found him like this. Wala akong kasalanan.
“How’s he?”
Halos tumalon ang puso ko nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses mula sa likuran ko. Theo just entered the room. He was in his uniform, so I'm assuming he just got here from work. Kahit papaano ay nagdahan-dahan ang takbo ng isip ko nang makita siyang narito. I'm not alone anymore.
“Doing great. Ang sabi ng mga doktor ay umiigi naman ang kalagayan niya.” sagot ko.
“That’s good, Julie.. That’s great.”
He inhaled deeply and examined Dad with his eyes. Pilit akong ngumiti nang lumapit siya sa akin at halikan ang noo ko. Hinila niya ang isa pang upuan upang harapin ako. Sa tingin niya pa lamang ay alam ko na ang sasabihin niya.
“I know I shouldn’t mention this..” he paused. “But shouldn’t you come home? Magpahinga ka muna. You need strength, too. Hindi puwedeng narito ka lang lagi.”
“Sabay kaming aalis ni Daddy rito. I’ll leave with him after he gets discharged.”
I made my voice as soft as I could. I don't wanna offend him by being firm with my decision. Buo ang loob ko noong una pa lamang na sasamahan ko si Daddy hanggang sa gumising siya. I wasn't here when this happened to Lolo. I'm making sure I am here now.
“You have to be okay..”
Nilingon ko si Theo at halata ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang mga mata. He gently caressed my arm and sighed. Maamo ang kaniyang mukha at kitang-kita na pati siya ay nahihirapan na sa pagmamatigas ko.
“I am okay.”
“Julianna..”
“Nothing is wrong, Theo. It’s normal to be worried because he’s my father. Ano bang mali sa pananatili ko?”
I didn't want to offend him but it felt like he's losing his patience with me. Binitiwan niya ang braso ko at tahimik na sumandal na lamang sa upuan. He looked away and stayed silent for a minute. Nang bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin ay ganoon din ang ginawa ko.
“Something is wrong.” he said with certainty.
I frowned as my heart began beating wilder. I don't want to be accused. Ginagawa ko naman ang lahat ng kaya ko para itama ang lahat ng nangyari kahit na alam kong huli na ang lahat. I don't want to be blamed again. I did nothing wrong here.
BINABASA MO ANG
Us Against the World (Louisiana Series #5)
Teen FictionLOUISIANA SERIES #5 The general's daughter, Julianna Amirah, followed everything to make her loved ones pleased. The unica hija and the angel of the Diaz clan captured the eyes of many, including someone she isn't meant to know. Someone out of reach...
