Misguided Hearts (Completed)

Chapter 1

I drew my knees closer to my chest as I heard my bedroom door creak open. I raised an inquisitive brow at my brother who came sauntering inside, still wearing his work clothes. Tumingin siya sa'kin at matipid na ngumiti. Behind that, remorse was written all over his face. I smiled back bitterly and hugged my legs tighter.

I'm so mad.

"Sorry, Phae-"

"Don't!" maagap na putol ko sa sasabihin niya. "Don't start, kuya."

Nanghihina na naupo siya sa dulo ng aking kama at mataman akong tinitigan. Nagbuga ako ng hangin at iniwas ang tingin ko sa lamp shade ko. "Don't act as if I didn't try, alright?" hinintay niyang sumagot ako pero hindi iyon dumating. I just remained throwing pointy glares at anything but my brother. He sighed. "Look, Phae, I'm sorry. Don't be mad at me, please?"

"It's not you, kuya." sa wakas ay tiningnan ko siya. Drae and me looks so much alike. Same dark wavy hair, pointy nose, and hazel eyes. Hindi maipagkakailang magkadugo kame. He's all I have ever since our mom died. Of course, there's still our Lola O, our dad's mother, and yes, our neglectful father. Pero si Drae na talaga ang tumayong magulang ko ever since, that's why it's so hard to hate this guy!

"Then why do you look like you're ready to murder someone?" he asked with a grin.

"Nagtatanong ka pa!" napataas ang tinig ko. Agad na sumenyas si Kuya na hinaan ko ang pagsasalita ko. I rolled my eyes. "I just wanted to get out of here." I said in a more hushed but really frustrated voice.

"I know!"

"Then why can't I just go with you?! Or have my own place? I'm-"

"Phae-"

"For God's sake, kuya! I'm 25 already!"

"That's not the point!" Drae argued. Napabuntong hininga nanaman sya. "You know how much I want to get you out of here. Ayaw lang niya pumayag."

I hissed. He was talking about our father. Ayaw nitong pumayag na kunin na 'ko ni kuya. Malaking pera kase ang nasa trust fund ko, courtesy of my mother, and the douche is after that. But I'll be damned if I let his filthy hands on my mother's money.

Our mother died because of his philandering. Natagpuan nitong may ibang babaeng ibinabahay ang tatay namin. Nang dahil dito ay naaksidente si mommy. Simula niyon, nagiba na ang tingin ko sa pamilya namin. I once thought our family was almost perfect, except for the fact that once in a while, our father beats us. My mom made me believe it was all because he loves us. How wrong am I.

"Besides, you know lola O will never allow you to leave. Kung hindi nga lang ako pinalayas noon, hindi ako aalis dito."

Our father's infidelity wasn't a secret even to his own mother. Ayaw din ni lola O na umalis ako basta basta sa mansion na 'to dahil ayaw nyang may ibang magpakasasa sa kayamanan na pinaghirapan ng yumao nitong asawa. It just pisses me off that they were doing this on my expense.

Wala naman akong magawa.

"But if ever that motherf-ucker hurts you, tell me, alright?" hinila nya ang braso ko papalapit sa kanya. I scooted closer to my brother. "I just need an excuse to actually cut his head off this time."

Kamuntik nang mapatay ni Kuya ang tatay namin nang malaman nyang namatay ang mommy namin dahil sa kagagawan nito. Hindi maaaksidente si mommy kung hindi dahil sa paghabol nito sa kanya at sa buntis nitong kerida.

Ang balita namin ay nakunan ang babae naturang gabi ring iyon. Serves her right, my mind bitterly sneered.

Mabuti na lang hindi napatay noon ni kuya si daddy, kung hindi, wala na 'kong kakampi ngayon. Si lola O, naglalagi na lang sa Jacienda namin sa Pangasinan at bihira ko na lang makita.