Whispers of Avarice (Casa de Castillo 1)

Chapter 24

Drown

As Keanu and I walked, my trembling hands betrayed the internal storm raging within. The very ground beneath me seemed to waver, but Keanu's steadying touch on my back provided the support I needed to walk. Tears had dampened my face earlier, yet I found comfort in their cessation.

Despite the physical support, my emotional state remained in disarray. My heart was pounding super hard, and I just didn't know what to feel. A bunch of different emotions were hitting me all at once, like being on a crazy rollercoaster. I was confused, bummed out, and it felt like I'd lost something important.

Napatingin ang lahat sa direksiyon ko nang makapasok kami sa loob ng gymnasium. Nagsimulang magbulungan ang mga tao sa loob. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa braso ni Keanu dahil sa tinginan at mga bulong.

"Taylah... baby, I'm here. It's okay," Keanu whispered.

Iniikot ko ang paningin ko. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin. Nararamdaman ko ang nagbabadyang luha sa mga mata ko. Ang nanginginig kong kamay kanina ay mas lalong nanginig ngayon. Pakiramdam ko umiikot ang buong paligid ko.

The arbiter's stern gaze met mine, and the room fell silent. "Taylah Fabroa, you are 20 minutes late. I'm afraid you can't participate in the remaining rounds."

The silence stretched after that, and everyone seemed to deflate. Keanu's face fell from happy to worried as he looked at me. In that instant, it hit me how much I'd missed, like chances trickling away without me being able to grab them.

"No... my parents—" I began, but the words caught in my throat as I sank onto the cool floor. Inangat ko ang tingin ko kay Keanu. "I need to play, Keanu. My parents will be mad at me."

Inalalayaan ako ni Keanu patayo. Ang isang kamay nito ay nakahawak sa bewang ko at ang isa naman ay hawak ang kamay ko. Keanu's hand offered silent support as the judge's words replayed in my head. The final decision weighed on me heavily, like being tied to something heavy and sinking. I glanced at the others, their anticipation clear, at the game I wouldn't be playing anymore.

With a deep breath, I nodded at Keanu, acknowledging his support. As we walked out of the room, the reality of the situation hit me. I could sense the pitying glances from others as we made our way back to the stands.

Keanu led me to a seat, his steady presence grounding me as I reeled. Watching the game unfold, I struggled to understand the quick change. What had felt like a sure win now left a hollow feeling, and the thought of letting my parents down was a heavy weight.

The cheers, the anticipation, and the dreams of success evaporated, leaving behind an emptiness. My hands trembled, not from the nerves of the game but from the realization that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, circumstances can conspire to shatter your aspirations.

Hinawakan ni Keanu ang mga kamay ko at bumulong. "It's just a setback, Taylah. We'll get through this together."

Tinago ko ang mukha ko sa palad ko nang maramdaman ko na ang pagtulo ng luha sa mga mata ko. Magagalit nanaman sa akin ang mga magulang ko. Pinangako ko sa kanila na mananalo ako pero ito ako ngayon at nakaupo sa stands.

"Taylah, we'll find a way to explain this. Your parents love you, and they'll understand. Right now, you need to take a moment for yourself," saad ni Keanu.

"Mahal? Hindi nila ako mahal Keanu," sagot ko at may bahid ng sakit ang bawat salita na aking sinabi. "Hindi ako mahal ng mga magulang ko. Mahal lang nila ako tuwing may trophy at medal ako na maibibigay sa kanila."

Inalis ni Keanu ang kamay na nakatakip sa mukha ko. Hinila ako nito palapit sa kan'ya at niyakap ng mahigpit. Ang mukha ko ay nakatago ngayon sa kan'yang dibdib at ang kamay nito ay hinahagod ang likod ko.