Until Forgotten (Jsavch Legacy #1)

CHAPTER 16

Kumurap ako bago hinawi ang kamay niya sa baba ko. Ang lungkot na nananaig sa mga mata niya ay hindi ko na kayang titigan pa. I know this is also hard for him. But I just want to clear things because I'm too lost. Wala akong mahanap sa pamilya ko kaya umaasa ako na magsasabi siya.

If I'll get hurt after this, I'll embrace the pain. If he'll hate me, I understand.

"Alam mo?" Pauna kong tanong para sa pag-uusap naming hindi ko alam kung anong kahihinatnan.

He didn't cut off his eyes on me when he answered. "Yes..."

"Kailan lang?"

"Before my father..." Hindi niya 'yon tinuloy at yumuko na lamang.

I'm sorry, Vin.

"Are you mad?"

He lifted his face and clenched his jaw. "Yeah... I'm so fucking... mad."

"Then what's the purpose of courting me? Alam mong si Daddy ang dahilan, 'di ba? You know that I'm the daughter of the man you much hated. But why? Are you using me for your vengeance? Tell me, Vin! Dahil gulong-gulo na-"

"Mahal kita! Mahal na mahal kita, Louvierre. Hindi kailanman pumasok sa utak ko na maghiganti. And never did I think of hurting you. Please, stop doubting my feelings." His voice weaken at his last words.

"Then why didn't you contact me? One week! Lagpas one week pa nga ata! I discovered my father's affair! Nahulog ako sa hagdan! I was in the hospital! At alam mo? Wala silang sinabi! Dad never explained his side and mom... she's even trying to cover my dad! Pagkalabas ko sa hospital, wala silang lahat! My brother went back to his usual life! I was so lost and they left me in that house alone..." I wiped off my tears and continued. "Like nothing happened..."

"Aya..."

"Hindi ko na alam! I feel secluded! Pamilya ba talaga nila ako? I'm sorry for doubting you... but I'm just drained... Now tell me, bakit parang kinalimutan mo ako sa mga araw na 'yon?"

He blinked and lowered down his head. Mahigpit akong napapikit. Alam ko... alam kong hindi niya sasabihin at hindi ko alam kung bakit. It's clear that we both know our parents' affair. What's stopping him?

"Kung palagi tayong ganito... hindi nagkakaintindihan... paano pa kaya pag tayo na 'di ba? We will misunderstood each other and we will argue a lot. Don't you think it's-"

"Stop."

"It's a sign that we aren't really for each other?"

Umiling siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Sorry... I can't tell y-"

"Okay! Then maybe we should just-"

"Aya! Please... Okay, listen to me, love.... My mom knew about us. She threw away my phone and didn't let me use any. She want me to cut ties with you."

"How could she say that when she's still seeing my father?"

Bumuga siya ng hangin. "She tried so many times, Aya. But something's stopping her. At nalaman ko lang noong hindi ako nakatawag sayo."

I don't know but I suddenly felt afraid to listen his next words.

"Your father... is blackmailing her."

"What?" Nanikip ang dibdib ko sa narinig.

"Hindi rin ako makapaniwala. I thought this is just pure affair but... it's more than that, Aya. I don't want to say this in front of you but... your father is a monster. He... he drugged my mother and recorded how he..."

Napasinghap ako kasunod ng sunod-sunod na pagtulo ng mga luha ko.

"N-no..."

"Yes, this is the truth. You want the truth, right? This is the truth. Your dad is using that video to make my mom be his slave. To see him whenever he wants and do whatever he wants. Walang magawa si mommy at sinarili niya 'yon kaya akala ni Daddy... mom is cheating. Hindi gusto ni Mommy ang lahat. She's forced, Aya. Your father forced her."