Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 40: Bubble

Bumuntong hininga ako. "I was thinking... a lot. Lahat ng mga nangyari."

"Now that we've talked, do you know what I look forward to the most? Peeling you back, layer by layer. Learning you inside and out... " He confesses while squeezing my thigh. Kahit na hindi siya nagsasalita tungkol sa anumang bagay na sekswal, ang katawan ko ay sumasagot parin sa mga galaw niya. "What are you thinking of right now?"

Nagdalawang isip ako kung sasabihin ko sa kanya, pero nanaig din ang isang bahagi sa'kin na gustong ibunyag sa kanya lahat. "Frustrated ako. Hiyang hiya ako sa pamilya mo, sa inyo."

"Why would you be? You shouldn't be."

"Galit ka ba sa kanya?" Alam niya na agad kung sino ang tinutukoy ko. Ang biological kong ama.

"Of course, but we have the same goal. Which is keeping you safe and bringing Itasaki down."

Pero sinabi sa'kin ni madame na hindi yun gusto ni Sir Ayahiko... "Now that I know what he did... I'm not sure if I want to build a relationship with him anymore."

"Hope... although I would be overjoyed if you didn't have a relationship with him—Don't sever ties because of me."

Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko at marahang hinalikan ang ilong ko.

"You wanted to meet your parents. I knew you wanted to meet them even if you didn't voice it out. Don't stop yourself now."

Napailing ako. "I'm on your side."

"I know. I know you are... Know that I'll be on your side too, even when you create or don't create a relationship with them."

Kinailangan ko 'to.

Kinailangan kong marinig sa kanya 'yun.

Tumango ako at napahinga ng malalim.

"I... I also feel guilty."

Hindi siya nagsalita at nakinig lang sa'kin.

"Iniisip ko na kapag tinanggap ko ang mga magulang ko, parang ambilis ko kinalimutan si Nana... what if naging masaya ako makilala sila. I don't deserve it knowing I caused Nana's death. Ayaw ko siyang kalimutan Teej."

Alam kong matutuwa si Nana. Matagal niya akong pinipilit na makipagkita sa kanila... but there's an overwhelming thought inside of me that I'm replacing her.

"Is her death the reason why you're punishing yourself? Baby, you don't have to feel guilty."

Hinawakan ni TJ ang kamay ko sa magkabilang kamay niya.

"You're not forgetting her. You never will. There'll be times in your day when you're distracted. You'll smile, laugh, and even feel the best pleasures in your life." Tumaas ang kilay niya at hindi ko na napigilan ang mga sariwang luhang tumulo sa mga mata ko. "The loss of your Nana will always be inside you, and when you feel other things, it only means you pushed it back enough to live in the moment, my Hope. And knowing her, I think she would be happy for you."

Kahit nanginig ang buong pagkatao ko, napatango ako. "Alam ko... pero masakit eh, sobrang sakit pa rin."

"And it will. It will hurt for a very long time."

"And you?" Hinanap ko ang sagot sa mga mata niya. "Are you still hurting?"

Tumango siya at hinayaan ko ang sarili kong umiyak para sa aming dalawa.

"I hope they get the karma they deserve." Bulong ko. Those Itasaki people. I hate them. "Ilang taon na nila to ginagawa. Nasaan ang karma?"

"I'll be the karma you want."