Naked Series #1: Undress My Soul (COMPLETE)

Chapter 22

I looked at Hellrion who looks so bored while sitting on the passenger seat.

"The deal, Hellrion. Never forget that." Paalala ko sa kaniya.

I met my siblings a month after I recovered. I got close with Hillary and Luther Greg, my youngest brother, first. And then Hellrion. He was a rebel student at that time and my parents were having a hard time controlling him.

Hindi siya sumusunod kila Mamá sa kadahilanang iniwan siya nila Mamá sa pangangalaga ng grandparents ko dahil abala sila sa pagpapalago ng negosyo. Madalas naiiwan ang dalawang kapatid ko na kambal kaya nagkaroon ng hinanakit si Hellrion kila Papá. Hillary was forgiving enough to let it slide but Hellrion couldn't.

Umabot pa ng kalahating taon bago kami naging magkasundo Rion. I saw him got caught by the police and I covered him up from Mamá and Papá. Madalas ko din siyang ipagtanggol kila Papá kapag pinapagalitan o napagbubuhatan siya ng kamay.

Dumating lang talaga sa punto na ako ang nagsawa sa katigasan ng ulo niya kaya nasapak ko siya.

He got involved with drugs that day and I punched him due to the humiliation he brought to our family. Mamá almost got a heart attack that time, at si Mommy ang pumasok sa isip ko no'n. I don't want to lose my mother again.

That was the first time I got mad to the point that I made him bleed through his nose. He was mad because of what I did but later realized his fault. Hindi ako mapanakin sa pisikal pero nagawa kong ma-knocked out si Hellrion noon sa sobrang galit ko. Natakot na siya sa akin simula noon kaya sinusunod niya na lahat ng sinasabi ko.

"Yeah, I know. Papá will train me this Monday." Masungit na aniya.

I smiled. "Thank you for listening."

He's like Papá, actually. Mamá said that Papá is hard headed when they were young. Kaya rin siguro hindi magawang magalit ni Mamá kay Hellrion dahil nakikita niya dito si Papá noong kabataan nito.

"I'll take the MV Helena, Kuya. I already got Dad's approval!" Singit ni Hillary.

Hillary finished marine too but she refused to manage our business because she only wants one cruise ship and start her own business from there. Samantalang ako wala ng trabaho dahil binalik ni Mamá ang pamamahala ng agency kay Tita Lana.

I got the feeling that they will never let me out of this country again. Matagal na nilang gusto na bumalik ako dito at ngayong narito na ako, sa tingin ko mahihirapan na talaga ako umalis ng bansa ulit.

"Whatever, brat." Ismid ni Hellrion.

At nagsimula na naman silang mag-away. I sighed in irritation because they're filling the car with their noise. Napahawak na lang ako sa noo ko dahil ang ingay nila. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa jetlag tapos dumadagdag pa sila!

Nakarating din kami sa bahay makalipas ang ilang oras na bangayan nila Hillary. Inaantok na bumaba ako ng kotse. I want to sleep.

They throw a small party for our arrival. Ngayon lang daw ulit nakompleto ang pamilya namin sa iisang bansa kaya nagpa-party si Lola. I didn't participate thought. Hindi ako katulad nila na sanay sa malayong travel kaya hinayaan nila akong magpahinga.

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Funny how fast the day can passed. It's now the silver anniversary of the 'family friend' they were talking about. Ilang beses na akong bumuntong hininga habang inaayusan ako ng personal stylist ng pamilya namin. I almost fell asleep out of boredom. Hindi naman kasi ako sanay sa ganitong pagtitipon.

"You're so gorgeous, hija." Mamá suddenly barges into my room.

Natawa ako ng halos maluha siya habang nakatingin sa akin. I don't know why she looks so moved because of what I look now. Marahil ngayon lang niya ako nakitang naka-ayos ng ganito. I always refused to attend nor have a party extravagant like this so she never really saw me wearing a gown except in pictures.