The Heart of a Soul

Chapter 3

Napahilot ako sa sentido habang sinasagutan ang assignment. I have two. Patapos na ako sa isa. Inuna ko lang iyong madaling sagutan para may matapos naman ako kahit papaano. Although it was easy, it has a lot of items to be answered. Sumasakit na ang leeg ko kanina pa, ngayon naman inaatake ang mata ko sa ilaw ng lampshade.

Narinig ko ang padabog na pagbukas ni Papa sa pintuan. Kahit pa man nasa loob ako ng sariling kuwarto ay rinig na rinig ko ang nangyayari sa labas.

"Where have you been, Grace!? It's already past 8pm and you were not home yet! Kanina pa nagugutom ang anak mo!"

"Did you not cook for her? I'm sorry, I was greeting my colleagues at work since it's my first day." Medyo kalmado ang boses ni Mama ngayon at hindi gaya ng kadalasang tono ng kaniyang pananalita.

"Hindi! Kakauwi ko lang rin kanina at nagbihis lang."

"We brought food, don't worry. Roger, pasok ka. Nag-aalburuto na ang kapatid mo." Narinig ko ang halakhak ni Mama at ng lalaki.

"What was that, Javier? I never thought you have this temper."

"Roger? What the hell, bro!?" Biglang nagbago ang tono ng pananalita ni Papa. He was mad just a while ago but now he's all excited. Gusto ko mang lumabas para bumati pero mas gusto kong tapusin na muna kaagad ang mga ginagawa.

"I brought Roger with me today, Javier. I just thought you might wanted to see him after so long."

"Of course! You have been working so hard, Kuya! I can't get through you!"

"Yeah. I was really busy at work. Ngayon lang nagkataon. It was also thanks that Grace is now working under the same company."

"Really? So you two are collegues at work?"

"Yup! I was really suprised that he's my senior. I just remembered that you haven't seen each other for a while so I pulled a string. Mabuti at pumayag."

"Well, I can't say no if it's abour my brother."

"What a lucky man!" Nagtawanan silang tatlo.

I heard the sound of plates and utensils and the sound of my grumbling stomach. Parang rinig niya rin iyon kaya siya nag-react. Eksakto ring nasa isang subject na ako kaya isinara ko muna ang notebook at lumabas ng kuwarto para makikain.

"Ma, Pa? There's a food?"

Nilakihan ko ang bukas ng pintuan para makalabas. Nagsilingunan sila sa akin. Papa and Uncle were still talking but they stopped midway. Naghahanda si Mama at lumingon sa akin.

"Oh, sweetie! Of course." Nagpatuloy siya sa paghahanda.

"Ah, okay… Kuha lang ako. Sa loob na ako kakain. You can continue your chat."

"Georgia, your Uncle's here. Come here and greet him." Pinanlakihan ako ng mata ni Papa.

Napangiwi ako at wala ring nagawa kung hindi lumapit. Uncle Roger just laughed.

"Good evening po," bati ko pagkatapos ay nagmano.

"Good evening, hija. Come and join us." He signalled me to sit down. Naupo ako sa upuan malapit kay Mama. "You're all grown up now. The last time I saw you was when you were elementary. Was that right, Javier?" Nilingon niya si Kuya para sa kumpirmasyon.

"Ah, yes. I can't seem to remember what grade. She's already high school now. Kita mo kung gaano ka katagal na hindi dumadalaw?" My Father's face was suddenly gloomy. He really adored his older brother.

"Time sure flies fast. Sa susunod magiging College na si Gia. Sometimes I just want her to stay young."

They were talking about me for a while during dinner. Marami ngang mga tanong sa akin si Uncle tungkol sa pag-aaral ko. It was only natural because he haven't seen our family for a while. Napadpad din kaagad sa kung anu-anong usapan iyon. They were having adult conversations that I can't seem to understand. Ang alam ko lang ay may kinalaman iyon sa trabaho at business.

I excused myself afterwards. Nanatili lang ako nang ilang sandali pagkatapos kumain. I don't want to be rude and my uncle was finally here. This was a rare opportunity to see my Father and Mother having bright faces. Sa susunod ako na mismo pipilit kay Uncle na bumisita para naman kumalma ang dalawang ito.

I started answering my assignment. It was harder than the first one. Noong una kong bukas sa notebook ko at binasa iyon ay wala akong naintindihan kaya inuna ko iyong isa. Ngayong binabasa ko ulit pagkatapos kong gawin ang isa, wala pa rin akong naiintindihan.

It was even harder with all the noises outside my room. Hindi pa rin sila tapos mag-usap sa labas at parang nag-iinuman pa sina Papa at Uncle. I envy them having happy moments while I was struggling to answer my homework that it was all getting in my head.

Nakatulugan ko rin ang paggawa ng assignment. My struggle continued at school like bad luck's been my tail. Masakit ang likod at leeg ko dahil nakatulog ako sa study table, ngayon, maaga pa lang ay sumasakit na ang ulo ko.

"Everybody, take your seats at the count of three."

My first subject teacher started counting. Nagsitakbuhan na ang mga kaklase ko sa sari-sariling upuan. They were arranging the chairs too. Nag-panic na rin ako kahit nakaupo na ako sa upuan dahil gumagawa pa rin ako ng assignment!

"Keep all your things and get your books. I will be having a long discussion today."

Nagsiligpitan na ng gamit ang mga kaklase ko. Ang ibang pasaway ay kinuha lang ang libro at hinayaang makalat ang mesa. Kumuha rin ako ng libro at kunwaring makikinig sa discussion. Hindi naman ako pasaway! I just really nees to finish this assignment. Sa susunod na subject na ito at discussion lang naman ang mangyayari ngayon.

Tinakpan ko lang ng libro ang ginagawa at kunwaring nakikinig habang nagsasagot ng assignment.

I actually had the thought of copying answers from Amanda a while ago. Hindi ko lang nagawa dahil hindi naman kami nag-uusap nitong mga nakaraang araw. After the fight she had with my friends from different section, she's been avoiding me. Wala rin naman akong ginagawang effort para subukan siyang kausapin. When she avoided me, I avoided having interactions with her too. If she won't talk to me, I won't talk to her.

Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo para maisip na kumopya pa sa akin! Siguro ganiyan ang sasabihin ni Amanda kapag nalaman niya ang laman ng utak ko.

Natapos ko ang mahirap na assignment, sa wakas. Noong checking of answers nga lang, mababa ang scores na nakuha ko. Naisip ko nga na sayang lang ang efforts ko kasi halos kalahati naman ng sagot ko ay mali! Pero maayos na rin kahit papaano at hindi ako napagalitan. Pinapatayo kasi ang mga walang assignments at hindi nakatapos magsagot. Sa buong subject at sa mga sumunod ay nakahinga na rin ako nang maluwag.

"Group three members, can you stay for a while? I have something to discuss." Nagtaas ng isang kamay si Amanda para makuha ang atensyon ng group members niya.

Our group was already done discussing so there was no need to discuss. Our leader's not as keen as Amanda so he immediately dismissed us after giving us few instructions. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa direksyon ng grupo nila. Nakaupo sa itaas ng mga desks ang groupmates niya samantalang nakatayo siya habang nagsasalita. She's really good at this and she's even a great leader so I wonder why she can't make friends well.

"Georgina, dito ka!" rinig ko ang boses nila.

Nilinga ko ang alon ng mga tao sa cafeteria. Nasa isang mesa sila na nasa bandang gitna. Nakatayo na si Lyka habang kumakaway para maaninag ko ang puwesto nila. A grin plastered my face the moment I saw them.

"Ang tagal ng break niyo, ah," si Frezie. She twist the ends of her hair with her finger, gaya ng nakasanayan niya kapag naboboryo na.

"Nagkaroon saglit ng group meeting eh. Naubusan kasi ng oras sa subject. Iyong ibang grupo nga baka nasa classroom pa ang mga iyon." Naalala ko ang grupo nila Amanda. Sila na lang ang natira sa classroom nang makaalis ako at ang ibang classmates. I just don't want to mention it. It might turn the situation sour.

After I came, they already bought lunch. Maraming tao at mahaba ang pila kaya iritang-irita na ang mga naroroon. May air conditioner naman sa cafeteria ngunit sa dami ng students ay hindi mo na iyon maramdaman. Nagtanggal na nga ng hoodie si Moore dahil mukhang hindi na niya iyon kailangan dito.

Sa mga nakaraang araw ay sumasama ulit ako sa kanila tuwing lunch. Sometimes we also hangout after school or during weekends like the usual. Noong nangyari ang away nila kay Amanda, medyo nayanig ang pagkakaibigan namin. Ilang araw din akong walang kinausap at pinapansin kina Amanda at sa mga kaibigan ko. I let the steam off before talking to them. Iyon nga lang, hindi ko na talaga nakausap si Amanda.

"Are you finally tired of being friends with Amanda that you're coming back to us?"

I humorlessly laugh. I don't know how they could easily address it when they were ridiculed by Amanda in front of me.

"Hindi naman… We were not talking for a while. Parang iniiwasan nga ako no'n. Hinahayaan ko na lang." I shrugged and sipped on my juice.

"Just like how she was rude to us, now she's trying a different approach?" Napasimangot si Moore. Padabog na sumandal siya sa upuan at ipinagkrus ang braso.

"Hindi naman siguro. Baka gusto niya lang talagang mapag-isa. She once mentioned it to me that she doesn't want hanging out with people," tanda ko ang sinabi ni Amanda.

"Mapag-isa her face. It's obvious that she's just rude and arrogant that everyone doesn't want to be friends with her. Palusot niya lang iyon sa iyo para hindi mapahiya." Padabog niyang inilapag ang ininuman na baso sa mesa.

Napailing ako at hindi nakasagot sa sinabi ni Frezie. She may be right. I thought so too when I first met her. She was actually giving me the same attitude as everyone when I tried to talk to her before. Ilang beses din akong pinanginigan habang sinusubukan siyang kausapin. She's just intimidating and gloomy. It's like she would chow me if I said something she don't like.

It might be right that she's blunt and rude by nature that people avoided her. It's not her fault though. It's no one's fault too if they don't want to make friends with her. We can't just force people. But we can always change, right? I am sure Amanda thought of something like that knowing her. There might be a reason why she stayed the same up until now.

Maybe Amanda was not lying when she told me that she really doesn't want friends? Or Frezie might be right about thinking that she was lying to save a face. Baka nahihirapan talaga siyang magbago kahit nasa isipan na niya iyon.

"Ang init talaga. Natutunaw na ang makeup ko!" reklamo ni Maria. Nilabas niya ang hand mirror mula sa bag para silipin ang makeup niya. She was damping some cloth in her face gently as her face contorted in a frown.

"Tatanggalin mo ang makeup mo?"

"Oo. I have no choice! Magmumukha naman akong bruha kapag hinayaan ko lang sa init, 'no!"

Natawa ako at nagsalita. "Sa bagay, maganda ka pa rin naman kahit walang makeup."

"Aww… Georgina!" ani Maria at hinila ako sa pabirong yakap. "You too. And your name suits you. Georgina for gorgeous!"

"Maria for a modest and beautiful maiden," bato ko rin ng compliment sa kaniya. Namula ang mukha ni Maria at inipit sa tenga ang buhok.

"Tignan niyo ang mga 'to! Sila-sila lang rin ang nagtulungan magbuhat ng bangko." Umirap ng pabiro si Frezie sa amin. Natawa kami ni Maria at hinila siya para makasali sa yakapan.

Dumating sina Moore at Lyka galing sa pila. They brought us the food trays. May tumulong din na isang lalaki sa kanila para dalhin ang huling tray.

"Troy is helping you?"

Nagsimula na silang magkantyawan nang makaalis ang lalaki. Sinundan ko ito ng tingin. Dumiretso siya sa isang mesa na kasama ang mga kaibigan. Few of them are girls where it was mostly composed of guys. Naupo siya at bumaling ang paningin sa direksyon namin. Nakita kong na kay Lyka ang atensyon niya.

"That's Troy from my section. Maraming nagkakagusto sa kaniya kaya I was curious." Bumaling ang tingin ni Maria kay Lyka marahil napansin na ang tingin ni Troy rito. Bumaling din ako sa tahimik na pagtatanpng. "Are you two dating!?" Napalakas ang matinis na boses ni Maria. She's really a sucker for romance.

"Shh!" Tinakpan ni Lyka ang bibig ni Maria at nahihiyang luminga. Her eyes fixated on Troy's table. A small smile tugged on Troy's lips as he waved at Lyka. Namula ang mukha ni Lyka at mabilis na nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Omg! He was smiling at you, girl!" pigil na tili ni Maria habang niyuyugyog ang namumula ng si Lyka. Frezie frown while still looking at the other's table, may tinititigan.

"Lyka, that b***h is again looking at you with envious eyes."

"Ingat-ingat sa relationship niyo ni Troy, Lyka. You know snakes attack outside our vision. They attack deviously."

"Huh? Why?" Bumaling sa kanila si Lyka na nagtataka. I was also curious about what they're talking about. I really haven't known much since we were not in the same section. Ako at si Maria ang naiiba ng section. Moore, Lyka and Frezie were in the same section so they always hangout with each other.

"You two are dating but you don't know?" tanong ni Moore kay Lyka.

"I don't know what you mean by that. I really don't care about something that's outside our relationship."

"I thought you would know!"

"This is not really a matter outside your relationship. We're classmates so I know much. Veera likes Troy, you see. People were actually expecting that the two will end up dating each other."

"That pimple is really annoying! Inirapan ba naman ako kanina. What a b***h. Hindi na nga siya tumatalino, dumadami pa ang pimples."

"Ang sabi nila kung gaano raw karami ang pimples mo, ganoon daw karami ang crush mo." Tumawa nang marahan si Lyka para pagaanin ang sitwasyon.

"Then she's a b***h and a slut!" si Frezie na kanina pa inis dahil nairapan siya.

"Inis na inis ka talaga riyan, ano?" Natawa na si Moore at pabirong hinahaplos ang likuran ni Frezie.

"Baka hindi lang naman si Troy ang crush niya." Sakay ko sa biro ni Lyka kanina. Bumaling siya sa akin at ngumiti. She really look tense. Probably she's feeling nervous and scared because the topic is about her boyfriend and some other girl. It would hurt to hear.

Matters from my family and friends were starting to get me. Mama and Papa were constantly having quarrel at out house. Sa tuwing nagkikita na lang sa iisang lugar ay hindi nawawala ang taasan ng boses. It was tiring me out but I did not tey to interfere their matters. Nakakapagod ng makinig, ayaw ko ng magpakapagod pa sa kakaawat sa kanilang dalawa. Dati kapag naroroon ako ay humihinto sila, ngayon parang wala ng kuwenta ang presensiya ko.

Mas nagiging mahirap din sa akin ang nangyayari sa paaralan. I am not smart so I will have to bear study more to survive and score. My friends were changing as days passed by because of the tension and pressure.

"Why would you say that to someone you barely know? Hindi rin ba kayo ganoon?" Napatayo ako sa irita sa pinag-uusapan nila. Tahimik lang ako at nakikinig sa mga pinag-uusapan nila nitong mga nakaraang linggo ngunit ngayon ay hindi ko na mapigipang sawayin sila.

"Why are you suddenly getting fired up, Georgina? We're just having fun!" si Moore na natawa. Sinubukan niya akong hilahin paupo. Ipiniksi ko ang kamay. She looked offended when I hit her. Napahipo siya sa nasaktang kamay.

"Having fun? Ganoon ba iyon sa iyo? The fun you are talking about is insulting other people?"

"What? Ganoon ba ang tingin mo sa amin, Gia?"

"No, it's not likr that. How could you say that? Hindi ganoon ang tingin ko sa inyo kasi kayo mismo ang nagpapakita noon sa akin!"

"Alam mo, Gia, nagbago ka na. You are not the same old Georgina."

"Nagbago…" pagak akong napahalakhak sa sinabi nito. "No. It's you guys who are changing. You talk more about other people's trouble now and try to make fun out of it. You were not like that." Dismiyado akong napailing.

"Lyka, did Troy like you for this? Alam kong mabait ka Lyka at hindi ka kagaya ng iniisip ko. Please don't step further."

Napayuko si Lyka sa sinabi ko. Frezie looked furious when I tried to criticize each one of them. I planned on telling them one by one but Frezie looks like she needs lots of it.

"Ikaw, Frezie. I remember you getting annoyed by Amanda. Tahimik ka lang dati nang ipakilala ko siya but I know you silently hated her. You hate her saying she's rude. Aren't you rude yourself?"

Napatayo na siya at napahampas sa mesa. Nagulantang ako halos mapatalon ngunit tinatagan ko ang sarili para magpatuloy.

"You are even a worse case. Just be thankful that our friends still to you for who you are. You are insulting Amanda for who she is because she has no friends and you have when you are of the same case. Just because she has no one beside her. Doesn't that make you more of a coward than her? Depending on your friends and making them youe assets to ridicule people?"

She gritted her teeth. Nasa amin na ang atensyon ng iilan. Napatayo na rin ang mga kasama ko.

"Don't ever compare me to that loser!"

"See? That's what I'm talking about. Talk about facing the mirror of your karma."

"I am not her and she is not me! I am better than her!"

She grabbed my uniform. Nanlaki ang mata ko at naitulak na ng kamay ang upuan na nasa malapit. Naghiyawan sa gulat ang mga nasa malapit dahil nagsilaglagan na rin ang mga pagkain nila. Nagsisimula ng umawat ang mga kasama ko. Most of them are holding the furious Frezie.

Gumaganti naman ako sa iritasyon. It's as if it was a trigger for me to burst and let go all of my pent up frustrations. Nahawakan ko ang mahaba niyang buhok at hindi iyon binitawan. Hindi ko talaga siya bibitawan kapag hindi niya binitawan ang uniform at buhok ko!

"Tama na nga! Georgina, Frezie!" That was the very first time I heard Lyka in a loud voice. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Frezie at sinusubukang tanggalin ang pagkakahila nito sa buhok ko. The buttons from my uniform were already finished. The strap of my brasserie was already showing.

Paparating ang mga teachers na binibigyang daan ng mga nagkukumpulang estudyante. Nauuna sa pagtakbo si Troy na marahil siya ang tumawag ng teachers. Dumiretso kaagad siya kay Lyka nang tumilapon ito.

I held tighter on Frezie's hair. Sinubukan kong hablutin ang uniform niya para makaganti sa mga natanggal na botones ng akin. Nagsisigaw na siya sa galit at ipinipiksi ang isang paa para umalis ang mga nakahawak sa kaniya.

Tunog ng pito lang ng PE teacher ang nakapigil sa amin. Niyakap ko ang sarili upang takpan ang panloob. I was breathing rapidly and sweating. Ramdam ko ang hapdi ng mga kalmot sa katawan sa pagkabasa ng pawis. Sinubukan pang tumayo ni Frezie upang balikan ako ngunit hinablot na siya.

I was freezing inside the air-conditioned disciplinary office. Pinatawag kami pagkatapos ng nangyari. We were reprimanded for a while before we apologize to each other. Suspended sana kami ng ilang araw ngunit nalalapit na ang test kaya inilipat nila ang suspension sa ibang araw.

"Gia!"

Nilingon ko si Lyka na tumatakbo papalapit sa akin. Wala na sina Moore kasama si Frezie. Lyka was together with Troy. Nakatayo ito malapit sa isang puno at nakapamulsang hinihintay ang girlfriend.

"Lyka…" Ngumiti ako nang marahan. "I am sorry for what happened that must've upset you."

"Hmm, no, it's fine." Mahinhin na iwinasiwas niya ang libreng kamay. "Uh, just borrow my jacket. Sira ang uniform mo, hindi ba?"

Alinlangan akong napatitig sa hawak niya.

"Ikaw? You'll be cols in your classroom."

"Troy was letting me borrow his. Blazer naman ang uniform ng boys kaya hindi raw masyadong malamig."

"Hindi, ayos lang. Iilang subjects naman lang. Manghihiram na lang ako ng extra shirts sa kaklase ko."

"The classes are already starting, you know. Just accept it, please? It's really fine by me."

Napakagat ako ng ibabang labi at tumango. Until I was inside our classroom, I was dwelling with all that had happened.

I told Frezie that she and Amanda were alike but I realize it's not. Frezie can freely express all her frustrations without fear but Amanda was probably trying to take control of her emotions. She's always collected despite being blunt and straight-forward.

Hindi ko maiwasang mainggit sa kanilang dalawa. While Frezie was good at expressing and Amanda was good at control, I was neither. I will probably go crazy trying to suppress my emotions. I will probably never stop destroying myself once I started letting it all out.

I am only good at faking my emotions where I neither express nor control.

Ilang oras akong nakadapa sa desk ko para ilihim ang pag-iyak. Hindi rin naman ako sinita ng teachers. Alam siguro nila ang nangyari kaya hinayaan na muna ako. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay may katabi na akong puting panyo. Nagsisimula na ring magsilabasan ang mga kaklase ko kaya hindi ko alam kung kanino iyon galing.

I really don't want to get home yet. Nanatili muna ako sa kalapit na mall. Kasama ko parati sina Maria kapag tapos na ang klase. Now that we were in a quarrel, I am alone.

Sa food court ako tumambay at naki-share lang ng table sa ibang tao. I was just scrolling on my social media accounts when a message pop-out on my line account. It was from Moore. Pinindot ko iyon para mabasa nang buo.

Moore: Hi, Georgina! I was really sorry for what happened a while ago. We felt hurt about what you said. Sa amin, si Frezie ang pinaka nasaktan kaya siguro niya iyon nagawa. We wanted to keep hanging out with you but I don't think it's still possible now that our connections are all shattered. We are sorry.

Nag-send din ng message si Maria sa akin.

Maria Deneza: Gorgeous! I am sorry! I was really sad by what happened. Have you read Moore's message? That will be our path now, sorry! But please let's keep our connection with each other, okay? I still want to be friends with you! Love you, gorgeous! And please, make up with Amanda. I don't want you to be alone. (Insert sad sticker)

Hindi ko nasagot ang mga messages at napahilamos na lang ng mukha. I don't even know how to start with Amanda. I can't seem to know where she eat her lunch. Hindi ko siya nakikita sa cafeteria at sa classroom. It's like she has a secret spot but I am too stressful to find out about that.

The rumors in our family were spreading like a wildfire. People were calling our family cheaters. The belief of my mom about my dad cheating was not yet put out no matter how Papa tried to explain it to her. Ngayon naman ay ang ibang mga tao na ang nagsasabi na may lalaki raw si Mama.

Papa confronted my Mother but she will always switch the topic about my Father. Her endless mumbles will start to get out of the hand that my Father was insulted. Kapag nagalit si Papa, nagagalit din siya lalo.

Nauwi ako bandang gabi na. Kumain ako sa McDonalds kaninang alas sinco, ngayon ay nagsisimula na ulit akong magutom. My Mom is probably home now. Mas maaga kasi ang out niya kay Papa.

I was greeted by a loud booming sound when I came home. Nagsilaglagan ang mga gamit na marahil pinanggalingan ng malakas na hampas. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa pintuan at patagong sumisilip sa nangyayari sa loob.

"What!? Are you telling me that you are pregnant? Are you f*****g kidding me, Grace!?"

"It's exactly what you heard, Javier. I am pregnant with your brother's child and I want an annulment," dire-diretsong sabi ni Mama.

Napatakip ako sa bibig. My eyes started to get hurt and misty. The rumors about my Mom were true? And now, she's pregnant? Kay Uncle Roger? Hindi ko iyon halos maipasok sa isipan.

Napatawa ng pagak si Papa. Nakita ko ang pagtulo ng mga luha niya sa gitna ng mapait na tawa.

"You hooked up with my brother? Kay Kuya? Bakit, Grace?"

Hindi nakasagot si Mama. Nanatili ang paningin niya kay Papa. Nagsisimula na rin akong maluha habang nagtatago sa kanila. I kept my hand on my mouth to avoid sobbing.

Napasabunot si Papa sa buhok niya.

"Mahal kita, Grace. Mahal ko si Kuya. I never cheated on you. I admired my brother so much. How could you this to me!?" Sumigaw na si Papa sa tanong na iyon. "I endured all of those accusations from you even when I did not do it! I worked hard for this family! How could you all betray me!? I trusted all of you!"

"Who would believe a liar like you, Javier!?" Tumaas ang boses ni Mama.

Natahimik saglit si Papa. Nakayuko lang siya habang nakasalampak sa sahig. He was playing with his hands. Nagsalita siya kalaunan sa maliit na boses.

"I never cheated… Please, believe me?"

"I don't care anymore about that, Javier. Say whatever you wanted to say. I want an annulment and that is final."

"I can raise the child. Please, just them leave me? Your daughter Georgina needs a family, Grace. I will work extra hard for this family. Please?"

"My child also needs a complete family, Javier. And that family is not this family."

Hindi nagpatinag si Papa at lumuhod pa sa harapan ni Mama. He held my Mom's hands tightly and kissed them. Sinusubukan iyong hilahin ni Mama at sinasaway na si Papa sa galit na boses.

Napaupo ako sa sahig at napasandal. I restrain myself from sobbing hard. Tinakpan ko ang mukha at mag-isang umiiyak. It hurts seeing my family getting wrecked this much. It hurts me seeing my Father begged like that to my Mother. I couldn't care less about anything in this world but the pain I dwell right now that burns my heart into thin ashes.

It was blown away by the wind and I was left with nothingness.