Loving a Believer

Chapter 16: Together with God

S T O R M

"This way, sir."

Our family driver, Mang Jimmy picked me up at the airport. He put my stuff in the compartment before we hopped in the car.

"Kumusta po kayo?"

"Okay naman," nakangiting tugon ni Mang Jimmy habang diretso ang tingin sa daan. "Ikaw? Kumusta ka na? Hindi ka pa ba tatay?" tanong naman nito.

Tipid lang akong ngumiti at umiling. "In the right time po."

"Bakit? Hindi ba ngayon ang right time?"

I heaved a sigh. "Medyo komplikado pa po kasi ang sitwasyon namin ni Fara."

"Gano'n ba? Akala ko ba, e, magkasama na kayo ngayon?"

"She's experiencing depression right now."

"Naku! gano'n ba? Kaya pala hindi kayo nadadalaw sa bahay. Palaging naroon ay ang ama ng anak ni Peachy. May kasalan ba na magaganap kina Peachy at doon sa lalaki?"

I shook my head. "Hindi ko pa po nakakausap si Peachy tungkol diyan."

"Napakabait at napakagandang bata niyang si Peachy. Nararapat lamang na panagutan siya ng ama ng anak niya."

Kung ako ang papipiliin gusto ko ring panagutan ni Tyler si Peachy. I was not okay with broken families. Mark needed a complete family. Ngunit ayaw kong pangunahan si Peachy dahil kasiyahan pa rin niya ang hangad ko. I wanted her to get married because of love... unlike me.

Maybe they would also learn to love each other like what happened to me and Fara, but it would be still risky because their situation was different. Tyler was not a Christian; Peachy wasn't also. What would be their foundation?

***

"Storm, mabuti at nakauwi ka na," salubong ni Manang Linda sa akin. I saw uneasiness in her actions . "Si Fara kasi walang gana sa pagkain mula pa kagabi. Ang sabi ko naman, hindi siya p'wedeng uminom ng gamot na walang laman ang tiyan niya. "

Napakunot ang noo ko. She was okay when I left her and when I called her yesterday. "Ano po bang nangyari?"

"Hindi ko alam. Bigla na lang siyang nagkulong sa k'warto. Nanggaling dito ang kapatid niya kahapon pero hindi naman siya gan'yan."

I didn't know what her problem was but I was so worried now. I immediately went upstairs and entered our bedroom. Tumama kaagad sa balat ko ang malamig na temperatura ng k'warto. I saw Fara lying in the bed while hugging her pillow. Her eyes were closed.

I sat beside her and touched her face. "Fara," I called her.

She opened her eyes. "Storm," she uttered my name.

"What's the matter?" I asked in a soft voice. "Ang sabi ni Manang sa akin ayaw mo raw kumain."

She didn't answer but she sat up and hugged me. I hugged her back and we stayed in that position for a moment.

"Tell me, what's the matter?" I asked.

I pulled myself from her and looked at her face. She was already teary-eyed as she looked at me.

"D-Dad is in jail," she said, finally letting out a sob.

I paused and my eyes widened slowly. "What?"

How did it happen? Tito Francis was a powerful man. He couldn'tbe in jail because he had plenty of money to cover up all the damages he did.

"I wanna see him, Storm," she begged as she held my arm. "P-please, help him out!"