The Woman: INDEBTED

KABANATA 13

Kabanata 13: Bayolente

Being born and raised in a wealthy family is almost everyone's dream. However, such kind of family is coiled with thousands of secrets. Some are harmless. Some are just too dangerous for a young girl to know.

I was nine years old when I first heard my Lolo's favorite command — kill each of them. I had no idea what it truly meant until I saw it with my own eyes. It became the turning point of my life. Doon nahubog ang desisyon kong piliin ang tama at patuloy na piliin ito.

Then, it led me to this... Running away. I ran away from home because I wanted to correct my family's series of mistakes... I ran away because I did not want to keep my silence anymore. Ultimately, I ran away because I wanted to live.

But God has a different plan for me. Dahil kahit gaano pa kalayo ang takbuhin ko, I will always end up here — a requital for the lives lost and destroyed.

Papahirapan ba muna ako ni Dale bago gawin iyon? Will I get tortured? How will he kill me? Susunugin din ba ng buhay? But then, is he really going to do it, though?

Unpleasant ideas continued to spew from my thoughts.

"Can I at least talk to Val?" I broke the deafening silence between us.

Even though we were already in the living room, the scene resembled the interrogation room.n room.

"For what? Para mas bilugin pa ang ulo niya?" he spat.

"I swear on my life, Dale! Val knows! Tito and Tita, even." I met his eyes so he could see my sincerity. I bet he could also see the desperation in it, too.

"They know who you are, but then are they aware of your evil plans?" naningkit ang mga mata niyang nakatutok sa akin.

"Wala akong ganoong plano!"

"Why would I believe you? You approached me first. Encourage me to get back at the people who killed my family. Was it all part of your family's plan? And then what?! Anong gagawin niyo sa akin pagkatapos mong makuha ang loob ko?" may bahid ng pang-aakusa sa kanyang tono.

"If I wanted to hurt you, I could have done it long ago, Dale!" Trying to shove some sense into him, hindi ko na napigilang tumaas ang boses ko.

Since he knew I was a Sadorra, dismissal has been his answer to my explanation and my plea. My hope was slowly fading every minute.

"And what now? Anong gagawin mo sa akin?" sumusukong tanong ko sa kanya. Kanina ko pa pinipigilan ang aking mga luha, ngayon tuluyan nitong binasa ang aking mukha.

Umiwas siya ng tingin. Nakatiim-bagang at makailang beses siyang humugot ng hangin. He then clasped his hands together. Both of his thumbs touched his forehead while his elbows leaned on his knees.

Sometimes, I think he's still hesitating. That this angel in front of me cannot do it. But when I remember how I was pierced by those angry eyes, I know he can. Isa pa, sino ba ako para ipagpaliban niya ang pagkamit ng hustisya para sa pagkamatay ng kanyang mga magulang?

Just like what I said, kung ako siguro ang nawalan, higit pa sa ginawa nila ang gagawin ko. I am no saint and I won't be forgiving.

Kaya kung pursigido si Dale na gawin iyon, I cannot blame him.

"I won't kill you... but I need you... as a bait," just like everyone else, he thinks I'm some Lolo's treasure. Isang kayamanan na hinding hindi hahayaan ng pamilya kong mahawakan ng iba.

"You are wrong. I am not valuable to the family. Walang dadating kung gagawin mo akong bitag."

He did not respond. Nanatiling nakayuko. Pinag-iisipan niya pa yata kung nagsasabi ba ako ng totoo, kung papaniwalaan ba niya ako.