"What were you thinking?" worry laced in her voice.
My tears fell. Ate Salisha enveloped me for a hug. I was shivering really bad.
Nadatnan ako ng kapatid na basang-basa sa ulan. Mabilis ang nangyari at nakuha nya agad ako at nagmaneho pauwi. Hindi man lang nabahala sa sasakyan nyang nabasa na ang loob dahil sa akin.
Her embrace tightened. Pagod akong humilig sakanya at naghahanap ng lakas para magkwento ngunit bigo.
"She's sick, dad..." My eyes are closed, but I can clearly hear my sister talking to our father.
I felt a hand touch my forehead.
"She's burning, Zesaire! Why didn't you tell me about this immediately!?" My father's voice bombarded the room.
I almost flinched because of his scary voice. I'm scared for my sister. I tried opening my eyes, but my head is throbbing painfully. Ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko at tuyo ang lalamunan ko.
"I will take care of her, dad," Ate Salisha said in a cold manner.
"Tonta! At ano hindi ka papasok? Akala ko ba'y matalino ka iha? Sasayangin mo ang isang araw para rito? You are running for being a summa cum laude. You can't fail me this time, Salisha Zesaire!" he yelled at her.
Gusto kong bumangon at iligtas ang kapatid sa galit ng aming ama ngunit lalong dumoble ang kirot ng ulo ko.
"When will you stop pressuring me about that, dad!?" sigaw din ni Ate Salisha.
Nanginig ako dahil doon.
Ate.. Why are you talking back? He's going to hurt you.
I successfully opened my eyes kahit ramdam ko ang hilo. Nakita ko silang magkatapat sa kama ko na parehong galit sa isa't-isa. Hindi ko maikaila ang tensyon na ako mismo ay kinakabahan sa mangyayari sa kapatid.
"How dare you talk back at me, Zesaire! That's your obligation as my daughter! So you do what I tell you to do! Who are you to command me!?" My father shouted angrily.
I looked into my sister's cold eyes. They look lifeless.
"Did I only exist for you to use? Kapag ba wala na akong kwenta ay itatapon mo na lang ako, dad? Gano'n ba 'yon?" Ate Salisha asked with her trembling voice.
I gasped.
My father didn't speak, but he kept his angry eyes on her.
"You should be happy with me because I'm making myself to be worthy of your trust!" Ate Salisha's voice broke.
My heart ached. Her tears fell from her cheeks.
"You are also a disappointment for me, Zesaire. You never reach my expectations. Try harder; maybe I'll change my mind."
That was the last harsh words my father said before he stormed out of the room.
I saw my sister stumble on the floor. Crying silently and clutching her chest. My tears fell when I saw her lying on the floor, not trying to make any noise so that she couldn't wake me.
"Why are you so cruel, dad?" I whispered in the air.
Pinikit ko ang mata ko at tuluyan na akong nilamon ng dilim.
Nagising ako ng may bimbo na sa noo at naamoy ko agad ang pagkain na nasa side table ko.
"Hindi ka papasok ngayon, Ingrid. Mataas pa rin ang lagnat mo. Kumain ka muna at uminom ng gamot. Hindi na kita magising kagabi alam kong gutom kana, wala ka pang kinakain." Ate Salisha said coldly.
