Angel With A Shotgun

Chapter 24

24.

I'm done setting up the phone that Marco gave me. I was about to go upstairs and call Kade when he told me that my parents are already here.

Soon I saw Mommy who made a weak smile while walking towards me. Her eyes are puffy and on her behind is Dad who looks so beaten up he obviously doesn't have any energy left. Dad is so quiet but he nodded at me, acknowledging me.

I hugged them so tight I thanked the Lord that they came back safe and sound. Thank you for making them safe, Lord. I know it takes a lot of effort to keep us all safe given the death threat of Rivero and his syndicate and I can't thank those people enough who are doing their best in their jobs. Then I remembered those who died at the shooting in our mansion which doesn't help me feel a little bit lighter.

"I'm glad that I get to see you again..."

"How are you?..." Nilingon ni Mommy si Marco at pinasalamatan dahil hindi niya ako pinabayaan sa sitwasyon namin kanina.

"... Para kaming magkakasakit sa puso ng Daddy mo nung binalita sa amin ang nangyari. Pasensya ka na at ngayon lang kami nakarating."

"I-I did manage while waiting for you guys... it's fine... How about Lolo? Okay lang ba siya dun sa hospital? Nasa ICU pa rin ba siya, Mommy?"

Ilang ulit na pinisil ni Mommy ang mga kamay ko bago siya lumingon kay Daddy na wala pa ring kibo hanggang ngayon. Saka siya tumingin ulit sakin, naluluha na.

"K-Kaye..."

No... Please don't say it... Please.

Wala pa man ay isa isa ng nag-unahan ang mga luha ko sa pagbagsak. I know the looks. I know what is about to come.

Napailing ako, na sana hindi tama ang nasa isip ko.

"... your Lolo has passed away, anak."

But still... It happened.

Para akong batang inakay ni Mommy dahil literal na babagsak ako sa sobrang panghihina ng mga tuhod ko, hindi ko kayang tumayo. Mahigpit ang naging yakap ni Mommy habang nag iiyakan kaming dalawa. Lumapit na din si Daddy at saka kami dinamayan sa pag iyak.

"M-Mom.... Mommy! I-I didn't even get to see him! Why?! Why?!... oh please!" I cried so hard thinking that I should've just stayed at the hospital even if they got mad at me. At least nandun ako para kay Lolo. Nandun pa rin ako sa tabi niya nung nagdecide siyang magpahinga na lang. Nandun ako para magpaalam sa kanya.

"Lolo!!! Lolo!!!" I was a child calling him while crying but I know it's all useless because he's gone and the thought of not seeing him again is a big knife piercing right through my heart.

We used up all our remaining energy to cry and mourn for Lolo. Until silence is the only thing we have at this moment. We are all heartbroken but I can't imagine the pain my father is having right now because I know the bond they shared through the years. I see how my father loves his Dad. He loves him so much his death will definitely give him a hard time to recover. Dad quietly walked away with his head down.

"Mommy... please go to him." I said with a trembling voice.

She kissed me on the forehead before she nodded in agreement. "I'm not sure how he's holding up but I'm really worried about your Dad so... I-I'll just check on him, anak... kumain ka na ba? Magpapahanda ak---"

"No... I-I'm okay. It's okay, we have to be there for Daddy. I-I can manage, Mom. More than anyone else, you're the one he needs right now."

She tried smiling at me, hiding the pain she has because she lost someone who was very dear to her. Umalis na si Mommy para hanapin kung saan nagpunta si Dad. Naiwan ako sa sofa na napatulala sa lahat ng nangyayari. Hindi ko na alam kung ano'ng uunahin ko; kung ano'ng dapat kong maramdaman. Kung ano ba dapat ang una kong gagawin.