I told you so…
1472 Words
Therese POV
After I have heard everything, I went out of the room in a daze. Pumunta ako sa kitchen and just sat sa stool sa may Island. Manang asked kung may kailangan ako but I did not answer. I was just looking at nothing.
So, after all this time. I was being genuine but I was being toyed? And worst, I was only an object played in a bet. Kusang tumulo ang luha ko sa kaliwang mata ko saka sumunod and kanan. I felt that pang in my chest.
I covered my mouth para hindi nila ako marinig na umiiyak. Total ako lang naman sa kusina. When I saw dad and Tito Ned na lumabas ng bahay sa likuran, I immediately ran to my room. I locked it at nagpadaus dos sa pintuan.
I was crying hard. It was painful. My first love pero niloko lang pala ako. I should have listened to Kuya. I should have seen the signs.
But how can I? When he introduced me sa family niya, when he gave me a promise ring, when he treated me right from the very beginning. I was so lost. Hindi ko alam kung papaniwalaan ko pa ang mga dahilan niya.
He tried to defend himself but I could not hear it. He and his friends plaued a game on me, toyed on me. I feel so much hurt.
I opened my lapyop and videocalled kuya. Kahit pa sigawan niya ako, siya lang ang sasampal sakin sa katotohanan.
He answered at the third ring. He was in the hospital, nasa likod si Mommy, sleeping on her bed. It’s all my fault!
“Kuya!” I called omn him while crying.
“What happened?’ He asked.
“Kuya, I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. It’s my fault nanjan si Mommy.”
“Why did that happened? I thought I told you to stay away from them.”
“Kuya.. I’m sorry, naging mahina ako.”
“What did he do to you?” he was very calm when he asked me this. I know he was going to do something. Kuya being calm means a dangerous thing.
“Kuya please.”
“I won’t ask the same thing Therese.” I cried more. I was so f****d up.
“K-kuya…” he was silent, I knopw he is waiting. I cried even harder as I tell him.
“I was j-just ab-bet, Kuya.” Yumuko ako saka na[pahagulhol.
“Shit.” He mumbled but it was still clear to me.
“What is daddy doing?” inangat ko ang ulo ko.
“He is talking tito Ned. My life is at stake kuya, They want to hurt me.”
“Come to the US. Hindi ko muna pauwiin si Mommy jan. Ikaw ang pumunta dito.” He said with finality.
“But kuya, I have school.” He grimaced.
“Is education more important than your life?” I shook my head.
“I want you here by the next day. I will call dad.” He said saka ako binabaan.
I cried some more. I have to obey, ayoko na sila mastress nang dahil sakin. Nanatili lang ako sa kwarto for more hours hanggang sa dinner na pala.
Manang knockewd on the door informing me na kakain na. I said I will go down, saka ako bumangon at naghugas ng mukha.
I had puffy eyes and it was bloodshot. Pero inayos ko ang sarili ko and went down. I was surprised to see na andun si Andrew with his parents and they were seated sa left side ni daddy.
Kuya Alex and cristoof was there also, nakaupo na sa right side ni Daddy. Ang upuan ko nalang, which as the seat next to daddy sa right side niya at front ni Andrew. I sat down not looking at his direction.
But I smiled to tito and tita. Hindi ko pa naman nasasabi kung ano nagyari samin. All they know was may nagtatangka sa buhay ko and Andrew came to warn me.
We started eating. I never glanced his way. I know he was staring at me. Kuya Alex nudged at me, he was worried and I told him I’m okay.
Sa kalagitnaan ng kainan nagsalita si Daddy. And it all made us shock.
“Therese will be fying to US tomorrow. Gusto ng Kuya niya doon muna siya while we try to find these people involved.” I knew he was looking at me but I was sitting their silently.
“Ate, aalis ka?” Cristoff said. Bumaling ako sa kanya and nodded.
“Yun ang gusto ng kuya mo instead na pauwiin ang mommy niyo.”
“I have to agree with him on this.” Sabi ni tito.
“Yeah, to ensure she is safe.” Added by tita.
“Will you please stop being silent and tell them the f*****g truth.” Singhal ni kuya alex, he was staring madly at Andrew.
“Kuya..” bulong ko.
“No. Ikaw ang sinisisi nila pero ang totoo, itong hayop na to ang rason bakit ikaw ngayon ang nasa peligro.” He was p[ointing at him.
“Son, stop. What the hell are you saying?” malakas na boses ang ginamit ni Daddy to stop kuya.
“I told you, ask that mother fucker. Siya mismo ang nagsabi sakin. I told you he does not deserve your kindness,” napa singhap naman si tita saka niya tinignan si Andrew.
“Iho, what’s the meaning of this? Ang buong akala ko nabugbog ka to protect her, pero ikaw ang dahilan?” dismayadong tanong ni tita kay Andrew.
I still did not look at him. I know his eyes are now begging for me to look at him.
But the pain was greater. I was cryng at Kuya Alex’s side. Dad was confused like tito and tita.
Hanggang sa nagsalita na din si Andrew.
“I- I’m sorry. I’m sorry I brought this upon you.”
“We are in a bet involving large sum of money. And I dealt with someone underground. I did not know they were.” He said crying habang nakayuko.
“What the f**k?!” sigaw ni Cristoff.
“Oh my God, son!” singhap ni tita. She was about to faint pero nasalo siya ni tito.
“You used my daughter?!” sigaw ni Daddy.
“I- I told them I wnt tyo quit nung naging kami na. B-but they did not like it kahit sinabi kong wala nang bet. I-It was their way of pulling you down. S-saka ko lang nbalaman na underground dealers pala sila.” He said and that made me cry even more. Hinahagod lang ako ng yakap[ ni Kuya Alex.
“That’s it. You are going to the States.” Dad said with finality.
“Walang hiya ka! After ka naming ituring na kapatid din?” sigaw ni Cristoff.
“Kuya was right all along. Kaya pala ganun siya kagalit sayo.” He added.
“What do you mean?” tanong ni Dad.
“Kaklase niya si Kuiya since start ng freshman year niya. He always tell ate to stay away from him. Akala ko totoo kang nakikipagkaibigan, yun pala ganun ka!” he shouted saka nag walk out ng kusina.
“Oh my God, Hon.We need to help.”sabi ni tita while holding her chest.
‘We will, Hon.” Pag aassure ni tito kay tita.
“I’m so disappointed of you son.” Tito said saka bumaling kay Daddy.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Montecillo. Let us work on this. I am so sorry this has happened to her. Uuwi na muna kami, my wife needs to rest. I will call you tomorrow for this, I promise.” Sabi niya na ikinatango naman ni daddy. Bumaling si tito kay Andrew and was glaring daggers at him.
“Carry your Mom sa kotse. You have a lot of explaining to do.” He said saka ito tumayo at kinuha ang Mommy niya sa Daddy niya. Saka sila umalis.
Me, dad and kuya Alex were left alone there.
“Alex, bring her sa mansion so she can prepare, she needs to fly over there. Samahan mo siya then just come back. I also need you here.”
Tumango si Kuya bago maka alis si Daddy. I hugged him saka ako umiyak ng malakas.
“Thank you Kuya, I needed that. Lagat nalang kasi sakin sinisisi. I was carrying the burden so heavy.”
“I know, I won’t let that happen. Cmon, you need to prepare.” Itinulak niya ako ng marahan paalis sa kanya saka ako tinulak papuntang hagdan to getmy things.
“I will see you here. Now get your ass up and start packing.”
Malungkot ako, oo. Pero Kuya Alex was there to make me feel better.
- Writer
