Until Forgotten (Jsavch Legacy #1)

CHAPTER 21

The streetlights seem to be comforting me while I was walking to nowhere. Wala na sa isip ko na tawagan si Kuya o kahit sinong maaari kong takbuhan. I want to be alone this way. Just walking without any disturbance, even without a proper destination.

Alam kong marami nang nagbago mula nang malaman ko ang pangangaliwa ni Daddy. But I didn't know he changed totally. From a strict father and respected lawyer, he became a very disgusting monster. I can never acknowledge him as my father. I'll gladly bury myself six feet below the ground if it means not seeing him anymore. Hindi pa rin nawawala ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko lalo na sa tuwing naglalaro sa isipan ko ang ginawa niya kanina na parang hindi niya ako anak.

Why it has to be like this? Sana bumalik nalang ang dati. My parents pressuring me to be better and my mom contradicting my plans in life most of the time. Tatanggapin ko nalang iyon. Mas matatanggap ko pa iyon. Not this kind of hellish feeling, giving me doubt, fear, and trust issues.

Paano niya nagawa sa akin 'to? At paano kung malalaman kong may alam si mommy pero wala siyang ginawa? Can she really tolerate her husband being a maniac to her own daughter?

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at huminga nang malalim. I am hungry, tired, cold, and worn out. My phone rang but I didn't answer it until it rang again. Kinuha ko iyon sa bulsa at sinagot. It was my brother.

"Aya..." Malamig, puno ng galit, at pag-aalala ang boses niya. Hindi ako sumagot kaya nagpatuloy siya. "Where are you? I'm sorry I have to let you go alone. I need evidences for everything. He will rot in hell, Aya. I swear. Saan ka ngayon? Palabas na ako ng subdivision."

"You didn't kill him?" I asked, trying to make it sound as a joke even when I'm actually suggesting.

He went silent for a while before he spoke. "I can't. I'll also be in jail and no one can defend you. But he tasted a little."

"Hmm..."

"Saan ka?" He asked again.

"I don't know. Pero hindi pa ako malayo sa sub."

"Okay, hintayin mo nalang ako diyan."

I dropped the call and lifted my head. Madilim ang langit, walang bituin, pero nagpupumilit na magbigay ng liwanag ang buwan. I wonder what it feels like to be there. To be one of the stars. Just pure peace and nothing else.

Umupo ako sa sementadong kalsada at niyakap ang sariling mga tuhod. Paminsan-minsan ay may dumadaang mga sasakyan na naglilikha ng pamsamantalang ingay sa magulo kong utak. I rested my chin on my arms that is hugging my knees and stare at my shoes. May mga dahon pa ng damong sumabit doon at ang sintas ng kanang sapatos ay nakalas na.

A car suddenly stopped just beside where I was sitting that it made my heart beat faster. Ang unang sumagi sa isip ko ay si Daddy iyon kaya mabilis akong tumayo at humakbang paatras, naghahanda nang tumakbo. But the door was opened, revealing my brother.

Malalaki ang hakbang niyang lumapit sa akin at mabilis akong kinabig ng yakap. Nanikip ang dibdib ko pero walang luhang tumulo. I just let my brother hug me, and sometimes he will run his fingers on my hair.

"I'm so sorry... I swear he'll pay for this."

"Hindi lang ako..."

Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. "Yes, I know. Attorney Hestia Fuego is also his victim. He will pay for everything, Aya. I will be the one who would throw him behind the bars. Even mom can't stop me."

Tumango ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. My mind is too drained and I just want to rest. A proper rest in a safe place.

Kuya Kyce guided me inside his car and drove away. He brought me to his condo unit. Wala nang nagsasalita sa amin nang makapasok pero ramdam ko ang paminsan-minsan niyang pagsulyap sa akin. I don't know if he want to ask any question or just worried. Hindi na rin ako nagtanong kung paano siya nakakuha ng mga ebidensiya dahil natatakot akong mapag-usapan ang bagay na iyon.