🚨 This chapter contains scenes that may trigger you. It includes violence and sexual harrassment. Read at your own risk! ‼️ 🚨
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It has been a week at nakauwi na rin si Kuya Raine sa amin. I am with him now and our family is complete. I'm just so happy!
"Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na nakipag break ka kay Luke." Tumatawa na sabi ni Kuya Raine habang nandirito ako sa kwarto niya. We're having a movie marathon.
"Why?"
"Sineryoso niyo talaga 'yon? So pathetic."
"What's pathetic about it, Kuya Raine?"
"Ewan ko sa inyo. Until now, I don't get it why did I end up being one of his bestfriends. Like our age gap. I'm so matured to be his bestfriend."
"Kuya Luke is matured. When I said, let's break up, he said it's fine. Atleast he experienced of having a girlfriend and he has his first kiss already."
"The fuck? You two kissed?!" Gulat na tanong niya at hinampas niya ako ng unan sa mukha.
"Ouch! Ba't mo 'ko sinasaktan?! How dare you?!"
"How dare you too?! You brat! Do Mom and Dad know about it?"
"Yes, they do. I kissed him in front of them. Every one witnessed it except you. It's Luther's fault though. He pushed me to do it. Para siyang demonyo na sumitsit."
"Ewan ko sa inyo. Don't do it again, Rej. I swear, pakakainin talaga kita ng sili once you do it that again. You're just 12!"
"I know. I won't do it again."
"So first kiss niyo ni Luke ang isa't isa? Yuck! Tapos first girlfriend/boyfriend din? Yuck ulit."
"Oh, shut up. Anyway, where is Kuya Ryoga? Bakit hindi siya nag pupunta sa bahay?"
It has been a week and he never showed up himself again. I don't have any clue kung anong nangyari sakaniya, sakanila ni Ate Jowana. All I know now is I miss him and I want to see him.
"Ewan? Maybe he's doing something? You know that man. He always does something."
"Sabagay. Pero andirito pa rin naman sila sa Pinas 'di ba?"
Malulungkot ako ng lubos if he went back to Cali. Ni hindi siya nagpaalam sa akin nor said anything.
"Wala. Nandirito pa rin siya."
"Okay. Mapapanatag na ako."
I fell asleep at Kuya's room. Nagising na lamang ako na nakahiga sa kama niya at magisa. Tumayo ako at lumabas ng kwarto to look for him.
"Mommy." I called when I reached the kitchen. I saw her cooking food and it smells so good.
"Sweet heart you're awake. Good morning!" Masayang bati niya habang nag luluto.
"Good morning too. Where's Kuya?" I asked and sat on the table.
"Nagpaalam siya sa amin kanina ni Daddy. He got up so early. He'll do his project daw sa house ng classmate niya at doon siya matutulog."
"Really?"
"Yep. But I think your Kuya is lying."
"Why?"
"Pormang porma e. Feeling ko may girlfriend na 'yun or pinopormahan." Humarap sa akin si Mommy at umupo sa tabi ko.
"Who will be his girlfriend, Mom? May papatol kay Kuya?"
"Anak, your Kuya is handsome and I heard a lot of women like him in his school. So I won't be surprised if he has a girlfriend. He just needs to be sure that his girl won't get pregnant or else makakatikim siya sa akin ng sapak."
"That would be ouchie."
"It will be. Anyway, eat your breakfast now. The one that I'm cooking is for our lunch."
Tumayo si Mommy at nag hapag ng mga pagkain para sa almusal ko. I'm always thankful to God that He gave me a mother like my Mom. She's the best!
She always takes care of us and she always makes sure that we're alright. She supports us in every thing that we do and I couldn't ask for more. She loves us more than anything and even more than her life. Silang dalawa ni Daddy actually.
"Mommy." Tawag ko sakaniya and I held her hand.
"Yes, anak?" Nakangiti na sagot niya.
"I love you po. Thank you for every thing." I said and she smiled even more.
"Naku. Naglalambing ang bunso ko ah?"
Yinakap niya ako habang nakaupo ako at siya naman ay nakatayo. I wrapped my hands around her waist.
"I love you too anak. Mahal na mahal ko kayo ng Kuya mo." She said and kissed my head. "You should eat."
Buong araw ay nag kulong ako sa kwarto ko. It's either I read, I watch or I play games. Weekend kasi and Kuya is not here so I have no one to be with.
Hmm. Punta kaya ako kina Luther bukas? Kaso baka pag sungitan nanaman ako ng baliw na 'yun. Nakakainis nalang siya minsan. Every time na mag susumbong ako kina Tito Ade at Tita Laura, pagpasensyahan ko nalang daw ang anak nila. And because of that, humaba ang pasensya ko.
"Baby?" I heard Mom's voice outside my door.
"Mommy? Pasok po kayo." I answered back at tinabi ko muna ang mga books ko sa mesa.
"Your Dad is home." She said when she entered. "He bought pizza for ue. Let's go sa dining room?"
"Mom, I'm still full pa po. Two hours ago we just ate dinner."
I looked at my wall clock and it's 11:45 PM. Dad came home late ah?
"But your Dad put an effort to buy it. Just have a bite, please? So Daddy's effort would not be a waste."
Ay oo nga pala. Kawawa naman si Daddy kung iisnob-in ko ang pizza na binili niya.
"Okay po."
Inabot ni Mommy ang kamay niya sa akin at mabilis kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at nilagay sa bulsa. I gave my hand to her and we both went down the stairs.
"Saang pizza shop bumili si Dad, Mom?"
"Sa Pepperman. Your favor-"
"Aahh!" I shouted and I hugged Mommy very tight when the lights turned off.
"Sshh. Don't be scared, Rej."
"Ang dilim po e. Didn't you pay our electricity, Mommy? Are we getting poor?"
"Dad paid already. Brown-out lang 'yan. Can I borrow your phone? Don't move at baka malaglag ka sa hagdan."
Inabot ko kay Mommy ang phone ko and it served us as our flashlight. Naglakad kami pababa at biglang huminto sa paglalakad si Mommy nang makarating kami sa living room. I felt her body stiffened as she holds me tighter.
"Mom, why did we stop?"
"What are you doing here?" She asked at napakunot ang noo ko sakaniya.
Who is she talking to? She turned off my phone's light and I couldn't see anything.
"My, my, my, Renesmé. How are you?" I heard a man's voice. Sino 'yon?
May tumutok ng flashlight sa amin ni Mommy at napapikit ako nang masilaw ako. Tinakpan ko ang mga mata ko at sumilip sa siwang ng mga daliri ko.
"Ito na ba ang bunso mo? Malaki na pala?"
"Umalis ka sa pamamahay ko."
I saw a man sitting on our couch but I couldn't see his face entirely because of a face mask that he is wearing. Kaibigan ba siya ni Mommy? Pero kung kaibigan niya ito, bakit siya papaalisin ni Mommy? Magka away ba sila?
"Ikaw na nga lang ang dinadalaw, ikaw pa 'tong galit."
"Hindi ko kailangan ng bisita lalo na kung ikaw."
"Sayang. Makikikain paman din sana ako ng pizza."
"Where is my husband?!" Mom shouted at nagsimula nang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
"He's in the dining room. Tinali ko dahil masyadong magalaw. Ryker! Are you still okay there?!" Sigaw ng lalaki na nag echo sa buong bahay namin.
"Hayop ka! Let me go and and don't touch my family!" I heard Dad's voice.
"Mommy, what's happening?" Naiiyak na tanong ko.
"Oh, natatakot ka ba little Renesmé? Kaibigan ako ng Mommy mo. May reunion kami."
"What do you want?" Mom asked. I couldn't even hear the sweetness in her voice.
"Well, a reunion I guess? Where's Ade, and Ryu? I wanna see them too."
"They are not here."
"Make them come here then. Bring Laura and Heather. I wanna see those two women too. Kita ko malalaki na rin ang mga anak nila."
"Look Tristan, walang kasalanan ang mga bata sa away nating magkakaibigan. Please, let my daughter go and I'll talk to you nicely."
"Wow. So you still consider me as a friend, do you? I am so touched to know that." Tumatawa na sabi ng lalaki.
"But I'm sorry, Ryu got included his son in this fight so now my adopted daughter is mad at me." He added.
"Anong sinasabi mo?"
"Didn't you meet her yet? Jowana Heaven."
Si Ate Jowana? Anong kinalaman ni Ate Jowana? And I don't get anything dahil wala naman akong alam na kaaway nila Mommy at nila Tito. I even don't know this guy named Tristan na kaibigan pala nila.
"The only daughter who I cherised as my own, turned her back to me because of Ryu's son. Ano na ngang pangalan non? Ryoga? Ah, yes. Ryoga!"
Bumukas ang dim light sa living room namin and I looked around. I saw some men wearing black inside that made me tremble.
"M-mommy." Umiiyak na sabi ko dahil sa takot.
"Hush, baby. It's okay. Mommy is here."
"Bring Ryoga and Ryker here."
"Hawak mo si Ryoga?!" Sigaw ni Mommy sakaniya and the bad guy laughed.
"Oo."
I saw two men grabbing Kuya Ryoga while his eyes are covered with a black handkerchief. May tape din siya sa bibig at nakatali ang mga kamay nito.
"Ryoga." Tawag sakaniya ni Mommy at tinulak siya ng lalaki sa harapan namin at sumubsob sa sahig.
"What have you done to him?!" Mom shouted again at sinimulan niyang kalagan si Kuya.
"Ryker, look at your wife. She's crying."
"Daddy!" I shouted and I was about to run towards him when a man stopped me.
"Bitawan mo po ako!"
Mommy looked at me and she was surprised to see me that a man is holding me.
"Tristan! Tell your man to let go of my daughter!"
"Paano kung ayaw ko?"
"You freak!"
Mommy ran towards the man but she stopped when a shot of a gun fired.
"Mommy!"
"Tita!"
I looked at my mom and she has a shot on her leg. Nakaupo siya habang namamalipit ito sa sakit.
"May gusto ka bang sabihin, Ryker?"
Inalis niya ang tape sa bibig ni Dad.
"Fuck you, Tristan! Just fuck you! Papatayin kita once na maka alis ako rito!"
"Kung makakaalis ka pa." Tumatawa na sabi ni Tristan.
"Why did you hurt them?!" Kuya Ryoga shouted.
"Ask your father not me. Nasaan na nga ba ang nanay mo? Si Heather. Damn that woman. I really can't believe she betrayed her bestfriend, Serenity, for power."
Tumayo si Kuya Ryoga mula sa pagkakaupo niya sa tabi ni Mommy and attacked the man. But a man hit him using a baseball bat at his back at napaupo ito.
"Kuya!" I shouted nang makita ko itong sumuka ng dugo.
"Oh, you're still a very weak man. How old are you? Bakit hindi ka pa malakas?"
"He's only 19, Tristan! Don't hurt him like that!"
"So my adopted child fell inlove with this weak boy? What a shame."
"I am not weak man, you moron!"
"So ano, Renesmé? Aren't you going to call the parents of this bastard?"
"Ryu is in another country. He can't come here." Sagot ni Dad.
"E si Heather? Papuntahin mo rito si Heather. Sabihin mo bihag ko kayo pati ang pinakamamahal niyang anak."
"My mom is dead. Puntahan mo ang puntod niya kung gusto mo." Dinig kong sagot ni Kuya Ryoga.
"Oh, you mean Serenity? Hindi mo naman nanay 'yun."
What? Who's his mom then? Heather? Si Tita Heather?!
"Tristan!" Sigaw ni Daddy sakaniya.
"Oh? Why? Hindi ba tanggap ng bata na 'to na anak siya sa labas? Serenity died because of Heather. She died na may sama ng loob sa inyong lahat."
"You fucker!" Sigaw ni Kuya Ryoga ulit at sinugod si Tristan.
Hindi paman siya nakakalapit ay may dalawang lalaki na ang humarang at sinuntok siya sa mukha na ikinabagsak nanaman nito.
"Matagal ko ng sinasabihan si Serenity. Her bestfriend would betray her including you Renesmé. Tinago niyong lahat sakaniya ang pagkakaroon ng anak nila ni Ryu."
"Were you the one who told her?!"
"Sino pa ba? Ayaw niyong sabihin kaya ako na ang nagsabi."
"Ano pa bang gusto mo, Tristan? Bakit hindi mo pa kami lubayan?!"
"Paano ko gagawin 'yon? We promised to each other that we will always be together, right?"
"Tristan!"
I looked at the entrance and I saw a woman standing there.
"H-Heather." Mom whispered.
"Oh, nandito ka na nga agad? Tatawagan palang kita ah?"
"What did you to my son?!" She shouted at dinaluhan niya si Kuya Ryoga na nasa sahig at halos mawalan na ng malay.
"Are you okay?" He asked Kuya. "How dare you to hurt him!"
"Sorry. Akala ko kasing lakas na niya ang kuya niyang si Red but I was wrong. He's 19."
"Anong ginagawa mo at nang gugulo ka nanaman?"
"Just taking my revenge. Nasaan na ba sila Ade? Hindi pa ba sila pupunta ni Laura? I'll take you as a hostage hanggang sa makauwi si Ryu rito sa bansa. We're having a reunion."
"Reunion? Gago ka ba? After what you did to us?!"
"As if you didn't do anything towards our friend, Heather. Stealing someone's husband and having a child?"
"I love Ryu!"
"But he doesn't love you. He loves your bestfriend, Heather. Not you."
"Stop!" Sigaw ni Tita Heather sakaniya.
I know her because she's my Mom's friend. But I didn't know that he is Kuya Ryoga's Mom. All I know was he was the son of Tita Serenity.
"You even let your son witnessed how she was killed noong sumugod siya sa inyo. Your son was trumatized that he needed to go to California for a psychiatric medication, and yet you have the audacity to shout that you love Ryu. Masama talaga ugali nitong nanay mo, Ryoga."
"Ano bang gusto mo?" Tanong ni Tita Heather.
"I want you to die for hurting Serenity so bad. For stealing the man that she loves, for making her a fool. She died lonely. Ni hindi niyo man lang hinanap kung sinong pumatay sakaniya!" Galit na sigaw ni Tristan.
"Wasn't it you?!"
"Why would I kill the woman that I love, Heather?! Mapapatay mo si Serenity but I will never do that to her!"
"It wasn't you?" Dad asked.
"It wasn't me." Matigas na sabi ni Tristan.
Hindi ko alam kung ano 'tong mga naririnig ko. I am clueless! I don't understand anything! Can they just free us?!
"Now, come here you witch."
Kinuha ng dalawang lalaki si Tita Heather at dinala sa harapan ni Tristan. May humawak din na dalawang lalaki kay Kuya Ryoga para pigilan siya. Anong gagawin nila?!
"Tristan, please no. Don't do this to Heather! He was your friend!" Sigaw ni Mommy.
"She was also a friend of Serenity. Remember?"
Tristan pulled a long samurai from his back and my body starts to tremble. I am starting to breathe so fast and deeply. Sana mali ang naiisip ko. No!
"Ma!" Sigaw ni Kuya Ryoga. "Bitawan niyo 'ko!" Pagpupumiglas pa nito.
"Tristan, nagmamaka awa ako. Huwag mong gagawin kay Heather 'yan." Daddy pleaded too.
This is the first time I heard him talking like this. He's so scared.
"No. You all can't stop me. Serenity deserves a revenge and I will do it for her."
"Kung ito ang gusto mong kabayaran sa lahat nang nagawa ko kay Seren, then go. Kill me. Don't think twi-ah!"
"Ma!"
I closed my eyes and shouted when I saw how the long samurai went inside Tita Heather's stomach. I couldn't afford to open my eyes dahil takot na takot ako habang naririnig ang iyak ni Kuya Ryoga at ng parents ko.
"Well then. That was nice." Tumatawa na sabi ni Tristan.
I gather all my courage that I have and opened my eyes just to see Tita Heather lying on the floor while there are lots of blood.
"I'm s-sorry, Ryoga. I'm s-sorry." Hirap na sabi niya.
"Ma, hindi. Please! Huwag. Huwag mo 'kong iiwan."
"I-I deserve this."
"Ma, don't close your eyes! Please! Don't let me lose another Mom! Ma!"
I saw how Tita Heather slowly closed her eyes and ran out of breathe.
"Heather!" Sigaw ni Mommy. "Walanghiya ka! Papatayin kita, Tristan!"
"Really?" Tumatawa na sabi nito. "Bring the child here." Tinuro niya ako at kinaladkad ako ng lalaking may hawak hawak sa akin.
"No!" I shouted and cried so hard. Scared that he might do the same thing he did to Tita Heather to me.
"Tristan! Huwag ang anak ko!" Sigaw ni Daddy at nagpumiglas siya sa pagkakatali niya.
Huminto kami sa harapan niya at agad niya akong inagaw sa lalaki na may hawak hawak sa akin.
"Huwag kang malikot. Gusto mo bang magaya sa babaeng 'yon?" Turo niya kay Tita Heather.
Mabilis akong umiling sakaniya bilang sagot at tumigil sa pagpupumiglas.
"What a good girl. You raised your child well, Ryker at Renesmé. Marunong makinig. I'm so proud of you two."
"Tristan, please. Stop this." Umiiyak na sabi ni Mommy.
Kinandong ako ni Tristan at napaluha ako nang maramdaman ko ang matulis na bagay sa tagiliran ko. I swallowed so hard and cried in pain.
"Sshh, Reginy. Stop crying or else." Mas diniin niya ang kutsilyo sa tagiliran ko at kinagat ko ang labi ko para tumigil sa pag iyak.
"Ryker, may gusto akong itanong sa'yo." He paused for a while.
"Bakit mo tinulungan si Heather sa pagpapalaki ng anak sa labas na 'to? Huh? Hindi ka ba nakonsensya? Niloko ni Heather si Serenity tapos tinulungan mo pa?"
"I just did what I needed to do. She was alone!"
"Isa sa mga kinasama ng loob ni Serenity ang pagtulong mo. I can still remember how she cried because of betrayal." He paused again and looked at Kuya Ryoga who is silently crying while looking at Tita Heather's dead body.
"Ryoga." Tawag niya pero parang wala itong naririnig. "Ryoga!" Sigaw niya ulit.
Binaling ni Kuya Ryoga ang tingin niya sa amin and his eyes are red. He was surprised to see me sitting on Tristan's lap and I saw how scared he was again.
"Barilin mo si Ryker."
"W-what?"
"Barilin mo ang tatay ng batang 'to. I wonder how it feels like na patayin ng taong tinulungan mo."
"No! I will never do that!"
"Ah!" I shouted in pain nang maramdaman ko ang pag baon ng kutsilyo sa tagiliran ko.
"Rej!" Sigaw ni Mommy at Daddy. Umiyak ako nang husto nang unti unti itong bumabaon papasok.
"Tama na po!" I cried out loud!
"Ryoga! Do it! Shoot me!" Sigaw ni Daddy while he is crying too!
"Tristan! Please! Stop hurting my daughter!" Mom shouted at sinubukan niyang lumapit sa amin but the men stopped him.
"Mommy! It's so painful!"
"Now do it, or I'll kill this child. Huwag kang gagawa ng bagay na hindi ko magugustuhan."
Pinulot ni Kuya Ryoga ang baril na nasa harapan niya at mabilis niyang tinutok ito kay Daddy. His hands are shaking.
"It's okay, Ryoga. Come on." Pangungumbinsi sakaniya ni Daddy. "Think about, Rej."
"Ayaw ko na! Aaahhh!" Sigaw ko at halos mawalan na ako ng boses. I heard a gun shot at tinulak ako ni Tristan at napasubsob ako sa sahig.
Hinawakan ko ang sugat ko sa tagiliran and when I looked at my hand, there's a lot of blood. Biglang nanginig ang kamay ko sa takot at para akong mawawalan ng malay sa lahat nang 'to.
"Rej, calm down baby. It's just a blood. Breathe, honey. Please, breathe." I heard Mom's voice pero nakatulala lamang ako sa kamay kong maraming dugo.
"Honey, listen to Mommy."
"Mom? A-am I going to die?" I asked.
"No, baby. No."
"What?! You shot him on his stomach? Ryoga naman! Hindi mamamatay si Ryker sa ganiyan! Shoot him on his chest. Tulad nito!"
Napasigaw ulit ako sa gulat nang makarinig ako nang panibagong putok ng baril.
"Ryker!" Sigaw ni Mommy while she's crying.
I looked at Dad and I saw blood coming from his mouth and there's a gun shot on his chest.
"D-daddy."
Napaupo si Kuya Ryoga sa sahig at kahit masakit ang tagiliran ko ay lumapit ako sakaniya na nagluluwal ng dugo sa bibig nito.
"Daddy!" I shouted and ran to him. "Daddy, no. Please! Don't close your eyes!" I said and cried.
"C-can you h-hug me, anak?" He said. "P-please. H-hurry up."
Yinakap ko siya nang sobrang higpit and I cried out loud.
"Sshh. I l-love you. Say t-that too to K-Kuya Raine. Okay? I-I'm s-sorry."
"I love you too, Daddy. I love you." Umiiyak na sabi ko habang hinahabol ang hininga ko. Hinintay kong sumagot si Dad but I just felt the heaviness of his body.
"D-Dad?"
"Oh, he's dead."
Hiniwalay nila ako sa pagkakayakp kay Daddy at tumilapon ako. Nasapo ako ni Kuya Ryoga and Daddy's body fell down on the floor.
"2 down."
"Hayop ka, Tristan! Walang hiya ka! Demonyo ka! Tangina ka!" Dinig kong sigaw ni Mommy pero parang wala akong maintindihan habang nakatitig ako sa walang buhay na katawan ni Daddy.
"D-daddy is d-dead?" I asked and I felt Kuya Ryoga's hand hugging me.
"Now, where are we Renesmé?"
"Walanghiya ka! Masama kang tao!" Sigaw ko at tumakbo papalapit kay Tristan.
He slapped my face so hard at bumagsak ako sa sahig. Naramdaman ko ang lansa sa bibig ko. My mouth just bled.
"Dad?"
Lumingon ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Ate Jowana. Nililibot niya ang paningin sa paligid at nagulat siya nang makita ang dalawang bangkay na nasa sahig.
"W-what did you do?" Naluluha na sabi niya. "Did you kill them?!"
"Oh yes, I did my dear daughter. Like how we planned it."
"Plan?"
"Oo, Rej. I sent Jowana sa psychiatric hospital kung nasaan si Ryoga para mag masid at mag spiya."
"Why didn't you tell me about this Jowana?" Magkahalong galit at sakit na tanong ni Kuya Ryoga. "Why?!"
"Ryoga, I was about to tell you. But they got you. They kidnapped you." Umiiyak na sabi ni Ate Jowana.
"You lied to me." His voice is full of hatred and betrayal.
"Ryoga."
"Enough!" Tristan shouted. "Ngayon ka pa nagagalit sakaniya kung kailan bumaliktad na ang walang utang na loob na 'to?!"
"Dad, please. Let them go. You're not like this."
"I am like this, Jowana. You just don't know."
"Please Dad. Pakawalan mo na sila." Umiiyak na sabi niya.
Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Kuya Ryoga na humawak sa akin at napatingin ako sakaniya. Tumingin siya kay Mommy at may hawak hawak itong baril na nakatago sa dress niya.
""Ryoga, save my Reginy. Run." Dinig kong bulong ni Mommy.
Hinila ako ni Kuya Ryoga at nagpaputok ng baril si Mommy. We ran outside at bigla kaming napaatras nang makitang maraming lalaki sa labas.
"Fuck." Mura niya at lumiko kami papuntang bakuran.
"Kuya, dito."
Tinuro ko sakaniya ang maliit na pwesto kung saan ako nagtatago kapag napapagalitan ako. Kasama ko si Kuya Raine dito magtago kaya alam kong magkakasya kaming dalawa rito.
We went inside at nang makapasok kami ay sinara ko agad ang takip. Walang patid sa pagkalabog ang puso ko. Kinakabahan ako and at the same time ay nag aalala sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari kina Mommy.
"Kuya what about my Mom? How can we save her?" Umiiyak na tanong ko sakaniya pero hindi siya sumagot.
I lost my Dad and I can't lose my Mom. Mukha rin siyang nagiisip at nangingilid ang mga luha nito.
"This is all my fault." He said at sinuntok niya ang pader ng pinagtataguan namin.
"Ryoga? Reginy? Where are you?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at mas lalong kumalabog sa kaba ang puso ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Tristan. Hayop siya! Napaka demonyo niya!
Tinakpan ni Kuya Ryoga ang bibig ko at hinayaan ko na lamang na ganon ang pwesto namin.
"Your Mom is dead, Reginy." He said at automatic na tumulo ang mga luha sa mata ko. Napahikbi ako nang kaunti at mas lalong diniinan ni Kuya Ryoga ang pagkakatakip sa bibig ko.
"Ryoga, hindi mo ba ililigtas ang girlfriend mo? What a coward. 'Yan ba ang pagmamahal na sinasabi niya sa akin? Duwag."
Unti unting lumuwag ang pagkaka hawak sa akin ni Kuya Ryoga. No! He can't go outside! It's too dangerous! Baka mapano pa siya.
"Imagine Jowana turning her back to me for a man like you? Damn. Such a waste of feelings."
Dinig namin ang mga foot steps na naglakad palayo sa amin at biglang binuksan ni Kuya Ryoga ang takip.
"K-Kuya, please no. Dito lang tayo."
"I need to save her, Rej."
Lumabas siya sa pinag tataguan namin at tumakbo papunta sa loob. Sinundan ko siya at nang makarating ako sa living room ay nakita ko si Mommy na may tama ng baril sa dibdib.
Nanlambot ang mga tuhod ko at bumagsak ako sa sahig habang nakatitig sa katawan niyang wala ng buhay.
"'Y-yung Mommy k-ko."
"Bring Reginy in the room where Jowana is."
Naramdaman ko na lamang na nasa ere ako at parang wala akong maramdaman na kahit anong emosyon. Unti unting nagpi-play sa utak ko ang lahat ng nangyari.
Ang pag patay kay Tita Heather, kay Daddy at kay Mommy. Lahat 'yon ay nasaksihan ko. Walang awa nilang pinatay ang mga taong malapit sa akin!
I felt the cold floor nang bumagsak ako. Agad na lumapit sa akin si Ate Jowana na umiiyak habang naka kadena ang mga kamay nito.
"R-rej, are you okay? Oh my god." Sabi nito and she hugged me.
I can't feel anything. I can't feel the warmth of her hug. Nakatulala lamang ako habang patuloy na iniisip na wala na ang mga magulang ko.
"My parents are dead. We were just going to eat pizza." I whispered.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Reginy."
Someone opened the door at napaatras bigla si Ate Jowana. Hinila niya rin ako at tinago sa likuran niya.
"Jace, what are you doing here?" Kinakabahan na tanong ni Ate Jowana.
"You're two are my prize. Master Tristan gave you both to me." He smiled at us.
He is handsome though but he looks like a demon. I felt scared when he started to unbotton his shirt.
"A-Ate, anong gagawin niya?" Bulong ko at para na akong mamamatay sa takot.
Mas lalong lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko na para bang lalabas na ito sa dibdib ko. My heart didn't even stop to beat so fast.
"Jace! Don't do this! Don't be like him!"
"It's okay. I've been courting you since day one but you chose that guy over me."
He finally took out of his clothes and he looked at me.
"Young and innocent. What a freebie."
Bumukas ulit ang pinto at may dalawang lalaki na hawak hawak si Kuya Ryoga na duguan ang mukha pati ang katawan. Nagkaroon ako nang lakas ng loob kahit pa para na siyang mawawalan ng malay dahil bumabagsak na ang mga mata nito.
Tinali nila si Kuya Ryoga sa isang upuan habang nakayuko ang ulo nito. Did he already pass out?!
"Kuya!" I shouted and another two men went inside.
Hinawakan nila ako at hinawakan ng dalawang lalaki si Ate Jowana.
"Bitawan niyo 'ko!"
"Isn't it good? This guy will watch me take you and this kid."
"Jace please." Umiiyak na sabi ni Ate Jowana. "A-ako nalang. H-huwag si R-Reginy."
The man suddenly laughed like a devil. Binalot ako ng takot sa tawa niya at nanghihina ang mga tuhod ko.
"Did you hear that Ryoga? Siya nalang daw at huwag ang bata."
Tinaas niya ang ulo ni Kuya Ryoga at bumukas ang mga mata nito.
"Watch us."
Binalibag niya ang ulo niya at napapikit nalang ako ng bigla siyang pumatong kay Ate Jowana. I can hear her sobs at ang impit na pagsigaw nito.
"J-Jowana." Tawag ni Kuya Ryoga habang humihikbi ito.
"C-close your eyes, Yoshikawa!" Humahagulgol na iyak ni Ate Jowana.
"Putangina ka! Tumigil ka! Stop! You fucking demon! I said, stop!" Dinig kong sigaw ni Kuya.
"Ahh." Ungol ni Jace.
Mas dumoble ang takot ko nang marinig ko ang impit na tili ni Ate Jowana na para bang nasasaktan siya.
"I'm gonna kill you! Stop it! Fuck! Pakawalan niyo 'ko rito! Damn you! Go to fucking hell! Jowana!"
"Moan my name, Jowana. Come on. Fuck you're so tight."
"Y-Yoshikawa, o-oh god." Naimulat ko ang mga mata ko nang marinig ko 'yun.
"What did you say, woman?!"
"Yoshikawa, I love you." She said.
"I said my name!" Galit na sabi ni Jace.
"Y-you're may be inside me and fucking me right now, but I will never, ever moan your disgusting name kahit patayin mo pa 'ko!"
Bumunot ng baril si Jace at bigla itong nagpaputok sa katawan ni Ate Jowana. It hit her chest and I couldn't hear anything. I think my mind went blank.
"J-Jowana."
"Ayan. Kasabay ng pag putok ko ng baril ang pagputok ko sa'yo."
Tumayo si Jace mula sa pagkaka patong niya and wore his pants. Napatulala ako sa walang malay na si Ate Jowana while there's blood on her chest. She's not wearing anything and there's blood down on her legs too.
"Y-you killed her?" Umiiyak na tanong ni Kuya Ryoga habang naka titig sa katawan ni Ate Jowana.
"And I just fucked her too. Poor you. Naunahan pa kita."
"Y-you...you raped her."
"She chose it. I told her I'm gonna do it with the kid but she volunteered. Guess she wanted my dick first."
Nabaling sa akin ang tingin ni Kuya Ryoga and his eyes are burning. He is staring at me like I did something bad.
"You dare to rape her. In front of me." He said and his voice is so cold.
"Yeah. I did." Proud na sagot nito. "I'm gonna next the kid."
"Aahh!" Kuya Ryoga shouted at bigla siyang nakawala sa kadena na nakatali sakaniya.
"And you?! You were proud of that?!"
"Hawakan niyo siya!" Sigaw ni Jace at sumugod ang mga lalaki papunta sakaniya.
Naiwasan niya lahat ang mga suntok na binigay sakaniya nang walang kahirap hirap and he knocked out all of the men here. Sunod siyang sumugod kay Jace at sinabunutan niya ito. Inuntog niya ang ulo nito sa pader which made his head blood.
"I'm gonna kill you!"
Nilibot ni Kuya Ryoga ang mata niya sa paligid at hinila niya ang ulo ni Jace nang may makitang kutsilyo.
"Kuya!" Sigaw ko nang sinaksak niya ito sa leeg ni Jace. I closed my eyes and cried as hell again!
Why am I witnessing all of these?!
Tinakpan ko ang tenga ko nang marinig ko ang pa ulit ulit na pagsaksak niya kay Jace. I don't want to hear it! I don't want to see it!
I heard he dropped the knife and I opened my eyes again. I saw him hugging Ate Jowana's body while he is crying.
"Jowana...don't leave me please. I'm here. I can save you now."
Hinalikan niya ang ulo ni Ate at napako ang tingin nito sa akin. He is staring at me so bad at binagsak niya ang katawan ni Ate Jowana at lumapit sa akin. Napa atras ako sa takot.
"Kuya..." Tawag ko sakaniya but he just smiled at me. His body is full of blood, even his face.
"You." He said habang papalapit pa rin sa akin.
"You are the reason why this happened to her!"
Nang wala na akong maatrasan ay napasandal ako sa pader habang siya ay patuloy pa rin sa paglapit sa akin.
"H-hindi ako, Kuya. Hindi ako!" Umiiyak na sabi ko.
"You should be the one who got raped not her!" He shouted again.
"I'm s-sorry."
Hinawakan niya ang mag kabilang braso ko at napasigaw ako sa sakit sa sobrang higpit nito. Nanlilisik ang mga mata niyang naka tingin sa akin.
"K-Kuya, nasasaktan a-ako."
"I'll do to you what that man did to her. Mark my word, Reginy Raven Mendoza."
Binitawan niya ako at bigla akong nanghina. Did he just tell me that he will rape me too?
Why would he do that to me?
Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at napaluhod sa sobrang sakit nito. I look at Kuya Ryoga and he is sitting while hugging Ate Jowana's body again.
"She'll have what exactly she deserves, Jowana. I am Yoshikawa and I'm gonna do the same thing to her."
Unti unting nanlabo ang mga mata ko nang mawalan ako ng hangin.
All I just want is to rest. I feel so tired.