Exclusively Dating the Devil (R18+) [TAGALOG]

KABANATA 7

Hindi na ako nagtaka nang bigla akong sampalin ng malakas sa pisngi ni Mommy nang dumating siya dito sa ospital. Kuya Klyren is still in operating room.

"What have you done, Kyleigh?!" Mommy scream in anger and slapped me again. "What did you do?! Huh?! Puro ka na lang pasakit! Hindi ka naman na kailangan dapat iligtas! Bakit ka pa niligtas ni Klyren!"

That made me weak even more. To hear that shuttering words from my mother. I love them, but… do they love me the way I love them? Because I know, they love, I'm their daughter. But who am I kidding? They don't really care about me, though. They rather want me die, than to be their burden.

"I hate you even more because of what you did! You wench! Bakit ka ba kasi ipinanganak pa! Sana ikaw na lang ang nasa kalagayan ni Klyren!" She scream while I'm here crying silently and looking down for them not to see my pain.

"Ma'am, tama na po muna 'yan, we need her to get heal first. She's bleeding. She got shot earlier—" mommy cut the nurse off.

"I don't f*****g care about her!" I look up at her and saw her anger excruciating like fire. "Kapag may nangyaring masama kay Klyren, maghanap ka na ng pagtataguan mo!" She then face the operating room's door.

I felt numb. Kahit pa noong ginagamot na ng nurse ang sugat kong nadaplisan ng bala kanina ay parang wala akong nararamdaman. Nakatulala lang ako at lumuluha ng tahimik. Hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko kapag may nangyaring masama sa kuya ko.

Dapat kong sisihin ang sarili ko dahil sa nangyaring ito. Pero… kung hindi ko tinext si kuya, hindi ako maililigtas. At kung hindi ko tinext si Kuya, hindi mangyayari ang bagay na 'to. Siguro mas matutuwa pa ang mga magulang ko kung hindi na ako nailigtas. O kung ako ang mamamatay ngayon.

Yumuko ako at tahimik na humikbi. Akala ko tapos na. Akala ko wala na 'yung luhang lalabas sa mga mata ko. Hindi pa rin pala. They're like waterfalls, cascading through my cheeks.

"Nanay mo ba 'yung kaninang sumisigaw sa 'yo?" Napasinghap ako sa tanong ng nurse na gumagamot sa akin.

Nanay ko nga bang talaga? Parang hindi.

Tumango na lang ako dahil wala na akong lakas ng loob para magsalita. I felt the lump in my throat.

"Buti at hindi malalim ang sugat sa balikat mo, ang ganda pa naman ng balat mo tapos masusugatan." I don't care about my skin anymore.

All I care about is my brother being in the operating room.

"Puwede kang magmodel, kaya ka siguro nakidnap dahil sa gandang babae mo." Siguro ay pinapagaan niya lang ang pakiramdam ko pero hindi 'yon nakatulong.

Mas lalong bumibigat at sumasakit ang dibdib ko dahil sa mga naaalala ko. Bakit nila ako kailangang kidnappin? At bakit parang alam ni Kuya ang tungkol sa kidnapper? Bakit parang kilala niya ang gumawa no'n? At bakit hinayaan niya lang at hindi na agad sinabi sa mga awtoridad?

Ang daming tanong sa isipan ko pero hindi ko masabi dahil… napanghihinaan ako ng loob. I'm thinking about my brother. How is he? Is he recovered now? Did he survive? I know he will survive! He's strong!

But… is he strong enough to endure the bullet he got?

Pinalabas rin ako ng nurse sa emergency room kung saan niya ako ginamot at inihatid sa labas ng operating room. Nandoon si Mommy na umiiyak at si Daddy na inaalo si mommy. My heart hurt at the sight.

This is because of me. All because of me.

"Mommy… D-daddy…" I utter and my eyes shed in tears when they look at me, both angry.

"You still have the gut, huh?" My Daddy said, full of seriousness.

"I-Im sorry," pinikit ko ang mga mata ko dahil hindi ko na sila kayang pagmasdang muli. Masakit. Sobra.

Hindi na nila ako kinausap kaya tumayo lang ako doon at sumandal sa pader malayo kina mommy. Nakatulala at hindi na lumuluha. Pero mabigat pa rin ang dibdib.

I'm silently praying to God to heal him. I want God to guide Kuya to survive this one.

Bumabagsak ang talukap ko dahil sa antok, pagod, pag-iyak, at kahinaan na aking nararamdaman. Pero nilalabanan ko dahil gusto kong marinig ang sasabihin ng doctor once na lumabas ito sa pintuang 'yan.

Huminga ako ng malalim nang isang oras na ay wala pa ring lumalabas na kahit sino sa loob. Napalunok ako dahil bigla akong nakaramdam ng panlalamig sa aking sistema. I closed my eyes tightly and pray.

‘Good God, I hope he will survive. I know he's strong enough to survive, but please give him more strength to fight and survive.’

I was praying so hard to God when I heard the door open when someone went out of the operating room. I opened my eyes to see who it is. I saw the doctor who operated my brother inside.

"Doc, how's my son? Is he okay? Is he fine now? The bullet was out of his body, right? You operated him well, right?" My mom asked hysterically. Dad went to her and put his both hand on her shoulders to calm her down.

"Hon, calm down." Daddy said in a soothing voice. Mom swallowed hard when the doctor just give her indifference look.

"What?! Answer me, Doc!" She urged him to answer.

The doctor sighed heavily and put down his mask.

"I'm sorry to tell you, Mr. and Mrs. Laureza, but your son lost so many blood for his heart not to function well. And also, the bullet dug too deep for his heart to be damaged. It hit the sensitive vain on his heart that caused him to have a better chance to survive. We tried to revive him as much as we could, but his vitals became weaker and weaker each passing minutes. His pulse became untameable, so we didn't had revive him. I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Laureza, but… he's dead."

Bigla akong nanlumo sa narinig ko mula sa doctor na gumamot sa kuya ko. He's bluffing, right? He's … no! Kuya is alive! He's now okay! He will just need to rest and then… no!

"No… doc, please! Please! Do everything to survive him! No! He's alive! My son is alive! He's not dead!" My mom's scream boomed at the hallway.

I swallowed hard and cried everything. I cried my heart out. I cried my pain. I cried… but did my tears can change everything? No! My tears can't awaken my brother!

"Kuya…" hikbi ko at napatakip na lang sa mukha gamit ang dalawang palad.

Naninikip ang dibdib ko dahil sa halu-halong emosyong nararamdaman, pero mas nangingibabaw ang sakit. Ang sakit na parang hindi na mawawala sa sistema ko. Sakit na kahit anong gawin kong pagkalimot, hindi ko makakalimutan. Sakit na kumakain ng pait sa sistema ko.

"Hindi patay ang anak ko!" Mommy scream so loud that made my body shiver in fear.

"Hon…" rinig kong pag-alo ni daddy kay mommy. Pero parang walang naririnig si mommy dahil patuloy siya paghihisterya sa labas ng operating room.

And when she notice me, crying silently at the corner, she walk towards me and pull my hair tightly.

"Mom!" I cried as I beg to her.

"Don't you ever dare to call me mom, you wench! Nang dahil sa 'yo nawala ang kuya mo! Nang dahil sa 'yo nangyayari ang masasamang pangyayaring ito! Hindi ba sinabihan ka na namin na tigilan ang pakikipag-away?! Wala ka talagang kadala dala na lintik ka!" She pulled my hair once again. I feel like my hair will tug out my head because of her strength for pulling it.

Dad did his best to stop my mom, but she's so mad to even stop on her own. She even slap me thrice that made my face numb at all the pain I'm feeling.

Sana ganito kadaling mamanhid. Sana…

"Walang hiya ka talaga! Alam mo bang ikaw na lang palagi ang dinedepensahan ng kuya mo kapag may mali kang nagagawa?! Lagi na lang ikaw! Ikaw! Ikaw!" She scream nonchalantly while pointing at me.

Nagmamakaawa na ako sa kaniya habang umiiyak nang bitawan na lang niya bigla ang buhok ko. Napadausdos ako sa sahig habang umiiyak. Iniinda ang sakit ng ulo ko, ng puso, at ng buong katawan. Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Mommy at Daddy.

Mommy's crying on daddy's shoulder, while daddy's looking at me angrily. His dagger eyes bore into me that made me shiver more. He's more violent than mom. When I got in trouble, he always punish me. He's more evil than mom. He's more dangerous than ever.

And now… I'm seeing his eyes seething in anger while looking at me intently.

"You will pay for this." He only said while guiding mom out of this place.

I cried so hard that I can't even breathe normally. I gasp in air but still I can breathe normally! I wish I could die because of this. Gasping for air. Like a fish wanting water over its body, to live a life, to survive this cruel life.

I morn alone. Mom and dad didn't allow me to go out of my room. To even see my brother's wake. I understand that they are so angry at me, but at least, let me see my brother in his last entourage. But they still didn't allow me.

I cried the whole time I'm begging for them to let me go out of my room, but they are as hard as rock while I'm begging over my closed door. Mom cursed me all over, but I didn't mind. I just want to see my brother.

Nang mailibing si Kuya, hindi pa rin nila ako pinapalabas ng kuwarto ko. Isang beses lang nila ako pakainin sa isang araw. Naaawa na ang mga kasambahay sa akin, pero sina mommy at daddy, never atang maaawa sa akin ang mga 'yon. And I love to admit that they are really cruel, heartless, and evil for me.

I know they didn't consider me as their daughter, but at least let me live a life in this world. I don't need them. I can feed myself. I can support myself just let me out of this house. I will probably have a better life if that'll happen.

Pinahinto nila ako ng senior highschool, I don't know what their excuse in my school that my teacher let it happen immediately. Baka naging excuse nila ang nangyari? Na natatakot silang… mangyari ulit 'yon?

Well, that will be a favor for them. To get rid of me.

Nagtuloy tuloy ang pagkukulong nila sa akin, hanggang sa bumisita ang mga Tita ko sa mansyon. Tita Claire look for me when she visited our mansion. She likes me so much. She even want me to be her daughter. I wish, mommy could be the same as Tita Claire.

Dalawang anak na lalaki ang mayroon siya, si Kuya Clarence at Kuya Clinton, they're both in their college stage now. At hindi na puwedeng magbuntis si Tita Claire dahil nagkaroon na siya ng problema sa ovary niya. She want a daughter, but God didn't give them a chance to have another child.

Nang makia niya akong nangangayayat, nag-alala siya sa akin. Kinausap ako ni mommy na h'wag na h'wag akong magsasabi ng kung ano kina Tita, I obliged. And also, I don't want any commotion in our family, though. Ayaw kong mag-away sina Mommy at Tita Claire.

Tita Claire is Mommy's elder sister, mommy is the youngest among the five of them. Kaya mas spoiled si Mommy, kaysa kina Tita Claire.

Nakiusap si Tita Claire na sa kanila muna ako. Naging pabor 'yon kina Mommy. Ang sabi ni Tita ay pag-aaralin niya ako. Kaya naging panatag ang loob ko sa gusto niyang mangyari.

Inalagaan ako nina Tita sa kanilang mansyon nang lumipat ako sa kanila para manirahan doon. Even Kuya Clarence and Kuya Clinton were pleased that I'm living with them. Nagiging boring daw sa bahay nila dahil sila sila lang sa malaking mansyong iyon.

Kuya Clarence's always busy dahil graduating na siya. Kuya Clinton is on his 3rd year college, like Kuya Klyren, but now… he's gone. All his dreams were far gone now. I still can't believe this.

Dalawang buwan na simula nang mawala siya. Dalawang buwan na rin akong hindi nakakabisita man lang sa puntod niya dahil hindi ako kailan man pinayagan ni mommy o ni daddy. They punish me by not giving me a meal for breakfast and lunch. They just give me dinner and that's all.

Gusto kong magalit dahil hindi tama ang ginagawa nila sa akin, but I still have fair shares of fault for the entire of it all. Kaya isinasantabi ko na lamang ang galit at puot na aking nararamdaman para sa kanila.

Nagdaan ang mga araw, buwan at taong nasa pangangalaga ako nina Tita Claire. I was then in my second year college when I got an order from my mom. She's taking me back. For what? Para pahirapan ulit ako? No— no way! Ayos na ako dito. Hindi ko na sila kailangan, kaya bakit kinukuha ulit nila ako kay Tita Claire?

Dahil ba… baka kalaunan, kina Tita Claire ako tutulong at hindi sa kanila? How wise they are, really. I know that's not far possible. Because of my debt of gratitude for them, I am willing to give my services for them. Even for free! They saved me from hell!

And now, mom is deadly serious of taking me back. Sila na raw ang magpapa-aral ulit sa akin ngayong next semester ng second year college ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit? Alam nilang Mass communication ang kinukuha ko, at alam ko ang takbo ng isip nila, kukunin nila ako para pag-aralin ulit dahil… mapapakinabangan nila ako sa kumpanya kung sakali. Well, I can benefit, too.

But I have other plan to take.

Pumayag si Tita na ibalik na ako kina mommy dahil ilang taon rin ako sa kanila, naging sapat na raw iyon para pawiin ang lungkot nila sa mansyon kapag wala ang iba.

Tita Claire got emotional when I bid goodbye to them that time. Both Kuya Clarence and Kuya Clinton were seriously looking at me. I don't know what they are thinking. But they do know my suffering in that hell house. I assure them with a genuine smile.

"Mag-ingat ka, ah. Text me or Kuya Ren if you need help." Kuya Clinton said in a very serious tone.

I smiled at him, "yes, Kuya. I will. Let's just keep in touch. Thanks to the both of you because you remind me of Kuya Klyren somehow." They smiled at me.

"Klyren said to us that we should make you happy if he's gone. I don't know why back then. I thought that was just a joke when he called me the day you went missing. Tita didn't even look so ballistic or even worried when she heard the news that you were kidnapped. I know what's up to them, really." Kuya Clarence since in a low voice. We're in the garage, they will company me to our house.

"Yeah. That's true, when we went to your house, they looked so calm that time. Never minding Klyren's smug and nervous look that time. Kaya… parang ayos lang sa kanila na nawawala ka." Naiiling na sambit ni Kuya Clinton.

Hindi ko na lang 'yon pinansin at pumasok na lang sa loob ng kotse. Hinatid nila ako sa bahay at umalis rin kalaunan.

Bumuntong hininga ako nang masilayan ang double doors ng aming mansyon. Naglakad ako dala dala ang dalawang maleta ko. Nang makapasok sa loob, agad akong tinulungan ng dalawang kasambahay namin sa dala kong bagahe. I thanked them and look around, looking for my evil mother and father.

Nang makalakad pa ako papasok sa loob hanghang sa living room ay naabutan ko sila roon na nag-uusap. Mukhang teknikal dahil napakaseryoso ng mga mukha nilang dalawa.

Napabaling sa banda ko si Mommy. She still look sophisticated and elegant with her Louis Vuitton dress and some jewelries in her ears, neck and hand, that made her more expensive looking woman. I cleared my throat and walk more to near them. I survey their expressions but nothing change, still indifferent.

Napaisip ako, bakit ba nila ako pinabalik dito?

"Kami na ulit ang magpapa-aral sa 'yo at wala ka nang magagawa doon." Mommy said with dismissive voice.

"Alam ko," sagot ko nang walang emosyon.

"You can think that we're forgetting what you did before, but no, I won't never forget about it. I lost a son, Kyleigh." She added so I just nodded to agree.

Pinapunta na niya ako sa kuwarto kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwang. I know they have plans after this. So I need to prepare.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali, when I'm on my 4th year college when they spill the news for me. For my… future. Ipinatawag niya ako sa kaniyang study room para kausapin tungkol dito.

"I already arrange a date of your wedding with Tristan Herrera." Dad said with his firm voice. I stared at him without any emotion.

"I'm not marrying anyone," I said in strained voice as I said what's my opinion of this s**t.

"You…" dad said in his controlled voice.

"I won't marry Tristan Herrera, dad." I said with finality.

"You will marry him! Whether you like it or not!" He burst out but I still look at him with no emotion. "You will follow my order because you are in this f*****g house! This is my house! So, every word I say, you will obey!" Napapikit ako ng mariin dahil sa sigaw niya.

I really don't know what's up to them. I really don't know why they're doing this to me. They don't want me as their daughter, right? Then, why the hell they want to do this?

"Tristan is a good man. He will give a better future in life, Kyleigh." I smirk mockingly at him.

Really?

"Kailan pa kayo nagkaroon ng pakialam sa magiging future ko? E, halos palayasin niyo nga ako rito sa pamamahay niyo." I said hardly.

"You are still our daughter—"

"Talaga? Parang hindi. You despise me. You want to get rid of me. You want me gone. You're angry at me because I lost your golden son, so why now claiming me as your daughter? After all those years I want you to lay your eyes on me. After all those years I want you appreciate me. After all those year I badly want your attention. Why now that I don't want even one percent of your attention on me?"

My father's eyes were bloodshot because of his seething anger towards me. He still manage to heave a sigh and look at me with pure anger.

"Hindi ka tatanggi sa gusto naming mangyari." Aniya at tumalikod sa akin.

Umiling ako at lumabas ng study room niya at dumiretso sa kuwarto ko. Nakasalubong ko si Kyfer nang nasa corridor na ako papunta sa kuwarto. Malapit ang kuwarto niya sa akin kaya magkakasalubong kami rito.

"Ate," he called me so I look at him and smile.

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay?" He asked with so much worried in his eyes.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at niyakap siya. "Yes, I'm okay. Ate will be brave for me to survive, okay?" He nodded as I released on a hug.

"You can leave this house, to live a happy life, ate. Kuya will be happy if you're care free." I smiled because he's now thinking technical things.

Masyadong matalino ang mga kapatid ko para hindi mapansin ang nangyayari sa akin. Open ako kay Kyfer dahil alam kong kailangan ko rin ng makakausap, bukod kay Rishy na nag-iisang kaibigan ko. Si Klevan kasi, bata pa masyado para ganitong problema kaya mas ayos na si Kyfer lang ang kausapin ko dahil open din naman siya sa mga ganitong problema.

Nang makagraduate ako kalaunan ay kinausap na naman ako nina mommy at daddy tungkol sa balak nilang pagpapakasal ko sa anak ng mga Herrera— si Tristan. I once meet him in a family gathering, and I don't like his presence. His aura looks bad boy. Hindi sa naiintimidate ako, ayaw ko lang ng presensya niya dahil… parang kakaiba. Hindi ko alam kung ano.

Alam ko na ang gagawin ko kapag pinilit ako nina mommy at daddy sa gusto nilang mangyari. At handang handa na ako.

"You will marry him! Tatanggalan kita ng mana kapag ginawa mo 'to!" Mommy scream as if intimidating me. No f*****g way I would marry that f*****g playboy!

"I won't marry him!" Isang sampal ang tumama sa kanang pisngi ko dahil sa sampal ni mommy. Her eyes were like dagger looking at me, but I don't care!

Kalayaan ko ang nakataya rito! Kapag sinunod ko sila… makukulong ako sa kadiliman kasama ang lalaking 'yon na hindi ko naman gusto! Ni katiting wala akong gusto sa lalaking 'yon!

"Kapag hindi ka pumayag, lumayas ka na dito sa bahay na 'to! At hindi ka na namin tinuturing na anak!" Sigaw niya at pinagtulakan akong lumabas ng study room.

"Oo! Aalis ako rito! Dahil hindi ko na maatim ang pinaggagagawa niyo! Minamanipula niyo ang buhay ko! Buhay ko 'to!"

"Ako ang bumuhay sa 'yo kaya dapat magkaroon ka ng utang na loob!"

"Binuhay niyo ako! Kaya kayo ang mamroblema dahil binuhay niyo ako! Hindi ko na kasalanan 'yon!" Sigaw ko at tumakbo papunya sa kuwarto ko.

Agad akong pumasok sa walk in closet ko at hinatak 'yon. Nakahanda na 'yon nung isanga raw pa dahil desidido na ako na hindi ko susundin ang gustong mangyari nina mommy at daddy. Hindi ako magpapakulong sa kadiliman, kasama ang lalaking 'yon. Hindi pa ako nahihibang para pumayag sa gusto nilang mangyari.

Pagkalabas ko ng walk in closet, naabutan ko si Kyfer na nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ko at parang hinihintay ako. Ngumiti ako ng malungkot sa kaniya nang magtama ang paningin namin.

"Ate…" he stood up and run towards me to hug me tightly. I hugged him too. I cried while hugging him. I feel like comforted because of his hug. Because he loves me as his sister. Because he treasure me more than anyone. Because he's always there when I need someone to have. Parang kasama ko na rin si Kuya Klyren kapag kayakap ko siya.

"Magpapakabait ka rito, ah. Si Klevan, alagan mo. 'Wag mo siyang pababayaan, okay? Make a promise to, Ate. Please…"I said breathily.

He nodded submissively, "Yes, ate. I will." He said and wipe his tears on his cheeks.

"Bibisitahin ko kayo sa eskuwelahan niyo kapag natapos ako sa trabaho ko. At kapag ayos na ang lahat at kaya mo na ring bumisita sa akin, just text me and I will gladly open my door for me." I smiled at him.

Pumasok si Klevan sa kuwarto at nagkukusot ng kaniyang mapupungay na mga mata. He walk towards me and hug me while looking up at me.

"Why are you with your luggage, ate?" He innocently asked.

I sighed and bent down to level him, "Klevan, ate will leave this house…" hirap na hirap akong banggitin sa kaniya kung bakit ako aalis. "I will go somewhere and I will have my own life to live. Just promise me to behave here and be a good boy, okay?" Tumango siya. I kissed his forehead, "bibisitahin ko kayo sa school niyo if I have time, okay?" He nodded attentively again.

I smiled sadly at them, I will miss them bad!

"Why are you crying? Don't cry, ate. Kuya Klyren doesn't want you to cry. Even kuya Kyfer said that don't make you cry and make you happy everyday." He said that melt my heart and tear it apart at the same time.

I hug them both tightly as I cried and bid goodbye to them.

Nanirahan ako pansamantala kina Tita Claire habang naghahanap ng mapagtatrabahuhan ng matino at matitirhan na rin kalaunan. Sabi nila puwede akong tumira sa bahay nila hanggang kailan ko gusto. Pero, ayokong makaabala at ayoko rin na samantalahin 'yon. Marami na silang naitulong sa akin simula noon pa man kaya mas ayos nang maghanap ako ng matitirhan ko kalaunan.

Kinuwento ko rin sa kanila kung anong nangyari at kung bakit ako umalis. They're mad because my parent's decision. I can't blame them.for being mad. My parents were cruel ever since. At ako na ang nagsasabi no'n.

Hindi na ako ginulo nina Mommy at Daddy simula nang umalis ako sa bahay. Nabalitaan ko kina kuya Clarence na medyo nagkakaproblema raw sa kumpanya nina Daddy dahil may sumabotahe sa mga magazines na nirelease nila noong nakaraang ilang buwan. Tinulungan sila ng pamilyang Herrera, at ilang araw pagkatapos kong malaman ang nangyari ay ginulo na naman ako nina Mommy at Daddy tungkol sa pagpapakasal ko.

Nagmatigas pa rin ako. At kalaunan ay nag-apply sa kumpanya nila. Tinanggap ako dahil sa credibility ko. Hindi hinaluan ng personal issues. Doon ko nakilalang muli si Tristan. Magkasama kami ni Rishy sa kumpanya dahil inirecommend niya ako na dito na lang daw lumipat dahil nalulugi na ang dating pinapasukan kong magazine company.

Simula no'n ay palagi na akong ginugulo ni Tristan pero hindi ko siya pinagtutuunan ng pansin dahil wala naman akong pakialam sa kaniya. He still pursue me even when I always shout at him and mocking him. Hindi na niya ako tinigilan kaya kahit naiinis ako ay pinabayaan ko na lang siya, hanggang sa umaasa na lang siya. Nakakainis!

[AN: I'M MAKING IT UP TO YOU TO HAVE A BETTER AND LONG UPDATE. I DID NOT UPDATE LAST WEEK BECAUSE I WAS SO BUSY WITH MY ONLINE CLASS AND MY ACTIVITIES, SO I HOPE YOU'LL UNDERSTAND. I'M STILL A STUDENT PO. I HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY! THANK YOU! THIS IS WORTH OF 4,265 WORD COUNT. SORRY, NASIYAHAN AKO MAGTYPE HAHAHA]