CAPTIVATED

Chapter 15

Walang pakundangan sa pag tulo ang mga luha ko habang nagmamaneho pauwi.

Nagpapaunahan sa utak ko ang pakikipaghiwalay sakin ni Janine at ang ibinalita sakin ng kapatid.

I remembered one time when I was frustrated with the monthly report of my resort in Laguna. I only had seven reservations last month.

Habang sinusuri ang report at iniisip ang improvement na gagawin, tumawag sakin si Janine habang umiiyak.

She was scared to disappoint her dad and she told me that I'm the only person who she wants to see that specific day.

She knew that I was running an errand but I'm hundred percent sure that my girlfriend needed me that time.

I was there when she was lonely and sad. I was there for her when it was only darkness in her sight.

Now that she's tired and out of solutions, the only choice left for her was to leave me behind. And like a professional, she left and broke my heart.

I laughed at my own situation. How cruel can this world be?

Hindi ko na sinagot ang ilan pang tawag ng kapatid. My cellphone turned off out of zero battery percentage.

Nang makarating sa bahay, wala na doon ang daddy. It was just Kyle, my youngest brother, hugging my mom who's still crying.

Lumapit ako at yumakap kay mommy. Mahirap makitang umiiyak ang magulang.

My mommy used to be so bright. Madalas niyang sinasabi na manalig lang daw kami at wag mapagod mag bigay ng second chances.

Why does people with the kindest heart always end up hurting?

"Pinatawad ko ang daddy niyo sa lahat ng pambababae niya..."

Agaran kong pinunasan ang luha sa pisngi niya. Kauupo niya lang sa kama niya.

"I can't believe he had the guts to get that minor pregnant. She was younger than you, Kim!" sambit niya habang minumura pati ang babae ni daddy.

"Ma, biktima lang din yung bata. It was all dad's fault. Mas may control siya sa lahat. He should've avoided cheating on you again in the first place, my!" I said in disbelief.

Palaging ang mga babae ni daddy ang kinagagalitan ni mommy. She shouldn't be as forgiving as she is.

" Anak, kung hindi inakit ang daddy—"

" My, kung hindi magloloko ang daddy, kahit pa libo-libong babae ang maghubad sa harap niya, he wouldn't cheat." putol ko sa pagtatanggol niya.

"Kaya nagloloko ang daddy dahil paulit ulit niyong pinapatawad. Alam niyo namang uulitin lang yung panlolokong ginagawa sa inyo."

Patuloy ang pangaral na ginawa ko sa kanya hanggang sa dapuan siya ng antok.

I cried in silence as I watch my mom sleep peacefully. I want to take all of her pain away.

Ayaw ko talagang maranasan yung pinaranas sa kanya ni daddy. It must be hard to love someone who's not in love with you wholeheartedly.

Nang lumabas ako sa kwarto niya, dumiretso ako sa lababo para makapaghilamos.

Past eleven na nang lumabas ako sa common bathroom. I cried inside.

Kyron, my sixteen year old brother, handed me his phone.

'Ate Tiffany'

"Yes?" lumayo ako sa kapatid. Naglakad ako patungong ref para kumuha ng maiinom.