Chapter 13LossIvan requested to have our family doctor called instead. Ginusto kong dalahin siya sa ospital pero iyon ang mahigpit niyang ibinilin sa ilang sandali bago siya panawan ng malay. Alalang-alala ako sa kaniya. Ginagamot siya ni Dr. Agoncillo habang naghihintay ako sa kanila sa sofa.Pumasok si Manang Lisa at si Marilyn na may dalang tubig at pagkain para sa akin. That's when I remembered that my clothes were stained with blood. Muling namuo ang mga luha sa aking mga mata. He was stabbed and bleeding. Hindi ko makalimutan ang pamumutla niya kanina.I accepted the glass of water and my pile of clothes. Nahihirapan akong sumimsim ng tubig dahil sa maliliit na hikbi. Hinagod ni Manang ang aking likod."Magiging maayos din ang lahat," she assured."Magpapasama na lang din po ako sa driver para masundo si Ice, Ate." Si Marilyn.Tumango na lang ako. Nilapag ko ang baso sa gilid. It was a good day, at least, because Ice was apparently out of the house. Hindi niya narinig ang nangy
Chapter 14Clueless"Kuya..." It's been so long since I addressed him in that way. Mukhang hindi naman na-curious si Ivan sa narinig mula sa akin. I looked at the screen to confirm if it's really my brother. Siya nga iyon at may missed calls na simula pa kagabi. Mayroon din kanina. It's impossible that Ivan didn't hear my phone ringing lalo pa at mas nauna siyang nagising."Yes, little sister. How long has it been?" he chuckled lowly."Bakit ka napatawag?"It surprised me that Ivan didn't leave his space. Sumeryoso lang siya nang kaunti. Nakasandal na siya sa tukador."I've been caught by the police last night. Didn't you receive a call by that time?"Kinilabutan ako nang bahagya sa kaniyang mapait na tono. I bit my lower lip. Nahuli siya? Paano? At... bakit?"K-Kuya, things happened last night and I was really bombarded. A-Ano bang nangyari? Bakit ka nahuli?""Drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms," tila wala lang sa kaniya nang sambitin iyon."W-What..." Nanginig ang kamay k
Chapter 15HappinessSa inakala ko makakapagpahinga na ako pagkatapos sa presinto pero hindi. On our way home, I felt sick. Mas naramdaman ko iyon nang bisitahin ko si Ice sa kuwarto at malakas ang buga ng air-con.We were sitting side by side. Kinamusta ko siya at binasahan na rin ng paborito niyang comic book dahil patulog na rin naman. Naibsan kahit kaunti ang sama ng pakiramdam ko dahil sa wakas, kasama ko na rin ang anak ko."You were like arguing last night. But you told me that... humans aren't perfect so they can disagree with some things because of their differences. I didn't understand what happened but I'm okay now, Mama. I know you're worried," nguso ni Ice at inabot ang kamay ko.Halos hindi ako makangiti nang maayos dahil sa nararamdamang ginaw. Instead of enduring it, I sought heat by hugging Ice. Napapikit ako."You don't need to understand, Ice. You're still young. It's an... issue between adults. Between Mama and Papa. And you did a great job, baby. I hope you don't
Chapter 16BreatheNauna akong lumabas sa kuwarto. Umiikot na ang paningin ko pero nakaya ko pa rin namang lakarin ang guest room. Things between Ivan and I werr still unsettled and it would be inappropriate for us to stay in one room.Sinarado ko ang pinto. I threw myself on the bed. I didn't bother switching the lights on. Maging na rin ang air-con o electric fan. Pakiramdam ko, bugbog na bugbog ang katawan ko.Nakadapa ako at nakabaon ang ulo sa malambot na unan. Hinila ko ang kumot para matabunan ang lamig na nararamdaman.All of a sudden the lights went on. Naaninag ko iyon kaya kumunot ang noo ko. I lifted myself so I could see the reason why it happened."Ivan?" hikab ko nang makita si Ivan na palapit.My head hurt even more with the striking light. Minasahe ko ang mga mata. On the other hand, I felt Ivan inched closer. Tinuon ko sa kaniya ang nanlalabong paningin.Lumundo ang kama sa kaniyang pagsampa. Pinilit kong makaupo dahil sa pagkabigla sa kaniyang ginawa."W-What are yo
Chapter 17 Story "Ivan is really a good help. I'm half relieved now. I just want your brother to be released. Sana'y aprubahan ang bail n'ya," Mommy stated over the phone. I just woke up from a tiring sleep when I received a call from her. Hindi ko alam. Imbis na makapagpahinga ako nang maayos, napuyat lang ako dahil sobrang lala ng ubo ko. "Tiwala lang po..." namamaos kong sinabi. "You sound sick. Are you okay? Don't make me worried even more, anak..." Naubo ako nang kaunti. "Uh... H-Hindi po. I caught some cold but I'll be fine." "You sure? I can go there. I will cook your favorite soup." "No need, 'Ma. Mas kailangan ka po ni Kuya. I can take good care of myself po. Don't worry, I'm old enough now..." She chuckled lowly. "I nearly forgot. You're still my baby girl for me, though." Tumakas sa akin ang isang tipid na ngiti. Bumuntonghininga ako at tumingala. Hinang-hina ako. I open my eyes whenever I feel my cough intensifies and I don't see Ivan beside me. I admit, umasa a
Chapter 18Unreal"What's happening?"Madali akong napahiwalay kay Manang dahil sa biglaang pagbungad ni Ivan sa may pintuan ng kusina. I wiped my tears. Kusa namang umurong ang mga senyales ng kalungkutan ko. "Hijo—" Bastos man pero pinutol ko si Manang. I don't want him to know. "Uh, medyo masakit kasi 'yung lalamunan ko. N-Naiyak lang ako sa... sakit," pagdadahilan ko. Ivan was wearing his three-piece suit. Mukhang may trabaho siya o 'di kaya, may pinuntahang trabaho. He glanced at my bowl and turned to me after. "You're eating. That's good. Uminom ka ng gamot pagkatapos," kalmadong aniya. Tipid akong tumango. "Salamat nga pala." I was expecting he'd deny it but he didn't. Instead, he asked Marilyn about the breakfast. Nagpaalam siyang may aasikasuhin muna sa office niya sa study. Doon lang ako nakahinga nang maayos. Umuubo-ubo pa rin ako kahit nalamanan na ang tiyan. I took my medicine for that hour. Natapos na rin ang agahan kaya naisipan kong gisingin na si Ice. But then
Chapter 19 Confusion Mukhang hindi nga yata ako — kami makakatulog. Quickly, he rose from his laying position. His brows pulled together quickly. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Why did he suddenly pay attention to it when I expect him to sleep soundly right after hearing me say those? I expected to get a cold shoulder from him again tutal, ang alam ko... wala siyang pakialam sa kahit ano tungkol sa kasal na 'to. "K-Kung gusto mo, ako ang kukuha ng abogado. I will... initiate the filing of annulment myself," I bargained hoarsely. "Are you out of your mind?" he asked coldly. Marahas akong napabaling sa kaniya. Ramdam ko ang umuusok niyang galit. His face contorted in irritation. Halos hindi ko siya malingon ulit. "Why are you staying here, then? You came back. Now you're telling me that you'll file an annulment?" his voice was dangerous. Wala akong maitugon sa sarkasmo niya. Fine, it's my issue. Hindi ko siya maiwanan sa ganoong lagay dahil sobra akong nag-alala. I knew I'd suffer the
Chapter 20 Hate "Ivan, please! 'Wag mo siyang sasaktan! 'Wag ang anak natin!" "Shut up! You are both the reason why I ended up like this. Kayo ang sumpa sa buhay ko!" "Ivan! Parang awa mo na!" "Ivan!" I screamed frighteningly. Mabilis akong napabangon. My breathing quickened. Bullets of sweat trickled my forehead. Malamig iyon at umaagos marahil dahil sa naging bangungot ko. Oh, God. I thought it was true. Akala ko sasaktan niya talaga ang anak namin. I know he would never do it but in my dream, I was very sure he'd hurt us. Kahit ako na lang sana... pero kahit si Ice... kinagalitan niya. P-Paano na lang kung mangyari iyon sa totoong buhay? Last night, I remembered him choking me. Oh, God. I immediately rose from the bed. Humarap ako sa tukador. I noticed the side of my neck swelling. Mukhang totoo nga. Totoo ang nangyari! Napahikbi ako. I couldn't control it. Malakas ang pag-iyak ko at alam kong maaabot ng tunog ang mga nasa labas. Weakly, I fell on my knees. Napaupo ako s