The silence she left behind

Chapter 3:

I'm not sure, but I knew someone from your clan likes to run away." he is behind me hat's why I couldn't see his face, but with his voice, I knew that anger and resentment screams on his low yet dangerous voice.

I was young and clueless. That's why I didn't take his words seriously.

Nakasimangot akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay namin. I was holding my back because it's aching so bad! My skin is also itchy at namumula na ang katawan ko because of him! Damn! I would forever loathe that Arden!

" What did you do this time, young lady?" I halted from walking when I heard my father's voice. Dress in a single - breasted three-piece suit, Don. Antonio Augustine Camero is casually standing at the end of the grandiose staircase.

" Who told you that you can drive that godforsaken e-bike?!" His voice thundered. In times like this, my reasons won't work. I would choose to silence my mouth even if I wanted to talk back. I diverted my attention on my foot, I'm afraid to look at my father's eyes because everytime I would look at it, I can never find the emotions that I wanted to see from it.

The love and care of a father.

" Because of what you did, I will send your Ate Maya in Manila! This is your punishment for being such a burden to us! I can never tolerate your nonsensical demands! "- my eyes stings. How can he say those things to his daughter? I know that what I did was wrong, but I will suffer from the consequence. That's why I did not complain when Sir Ronald made me clean the old and rusty gym, even if I hate dusk and germs!

" No! You can't send Ate Maya there! I'll be alone here, dad! Wala ka na nga lagi dito sa house! I don't want to be isolated here alone!" I protested even if I'm already scared na sinagot ko siya. If he's not mad, napipilosopo ko pa siya, and I can even say whatever comes in my mind, but when he's lke this, I would rather choose silence over his words!

" If you want your Ate Maya to stay here, then behave! The school called me earlier that you almost hit someone! Thanks to Israel, he was able to stop you from inflicting injury to someone! Did you know that I'm also on an important meeting earlier? The call delayed the business deal! Now, I need to go back and close the deal with Mr. Fuenco! " Of course, he would also choose his business deals over his daughter.

"Why don't you also look for mom, and settle things with her, dad? You are so good in convincing people, I think you can also convince mom to go home." After saying those words, a hard slapped landed on my cheek. Hindi ko na napigilan and I started bawling my eyes out.

" Did I missed to tell you that you can't mention your mother when you are inside of my house?! You can't ever demand me to bring back a cat who choosed to be a stray!" After giving me another hard slap, he went outside and I just heard roaring sound of his vehicle fleeing away from home.

I cried while standing in the middle of our sala. Lumapit ang isang maid but I ignored her. How can he do this to me? This is the first time that his hand landed on my cheek, nasasaktan ako hindi dahil sa sampal, I'm hurt because he is treating me like I'm not his child. I never saw him physically hurting my mom, but I would often hear things breaking inside of their room months before my mom left the house.

"Amari, wala ang Ate Maya mo. Pumanhik kana sa taas at dadalhin na lang doon ang pagkain mo. Ilagay mo ito sa pisngi mo para hindi mamaga" Nana Juanita handed me a cold compress and ordered me to go upstairs.

When I opened my bedroom's door, I threw away my bag and I removed my school uniform. It was full of dusk and just thinking about the germs that gets into my skin earlier when that Pres boldly dropped me like a hot potato on that slippery floor! I don't even know what to feel anymore! Hindi ko alam kung ang sampal ba ni dad ang iiyakan ko or if it is my aching back and the germs that I got earlier!

I immediately went inside the shower room at agad na nagsabon ng katawan. My skin were already red from scratching it too much. I spent 2 hours from cleaning myself. I went out of the bathroom wearing a pair of PJ's. Ramdam ko na ang pagod at sakit ng likod but I still need to do my assignments. Even if I'm not smart I make sure that I would pass all the requirements needed at school.

" Amari, kumai kana." Nana Juanita went inside my room and placed my food beside me. The smell of bulalo lingered and I immediately threw away my pen.

" Dahan-dahan, Amari. Hindi ka ba kumain sa school?" she asked while intently staring at me while I continuously shoving food to my mouth. Lumunok ako bago sumagot.

" No, po. I forgot to eat my snacks during our afternoon break. Please cook chicken adobo for my baon tomorrow, Nana. " she smiled and nodded at me. After eating, umalis din siya kaagad at pumasok naman ako ulit sa banyo para maglinis ulit ng sarili.

I went to bed and stared at the ceiling. I tried calling mom but her phone is unattended. I missed her so much but I can't do anything to make her come back here. I don't know the reason kung bakit umalis siya. I just heard from the kasambahay that mom and dad had a huge fight the day before our school 's election last year. I was at school at noong dumating ako sa bahay, it was quite, but I didn't mind it since our home is just like that most of the time. Ako lang ang maingay kapag nasa sala ako at nagzuzumba. Hindi kami kumain sa dining hall at hinatid lang noon ang pagkain ko sa kwarto. I asked where are my parents but Nana Juanita said they are already inside of their room that's why I didn't bother para kausapin sila.

Minutes later, I heard the voices of my parents screaming at each other and the sound of things getting broken and thrown at the walls. I was crying when I went out to go at them but our maids made me went back to my room. I was worried at that time but they already locked my room from outside to make sure I wouldn't get out of my room.

Kinaumahan, the day of the school 's election. I was already wearing my school uniform. Nana Juanita went inside and I saw her worried face. Nagmamadali niyang kinuha ang mga gamit ko at hinatak na ako palabas ng kwarto.

" What's happening Nana? It's so early to rush". I groaned not wanting to rush. But she was so eager to drag me out of my room.

" Kailangan mong pumasok ng maaga, Amari. Hindi ba't eleksyon niyo ngayon ng SSG officers?" I nodded my head to her question but the election will be held at 9:00 am! It's just before 7 at the morning!

" Yes! Aalis na talaga ako, Antonio Augustine! I couldn't stay here any longer! This place is suffocating me!" tumigil kami sa paglalakad ng makasalubong namin sa hallway si Mommy, she was dragging two of her suitcase. I was shocked to see her wearing just her evening gown and a white robe. Even if I'm just fourteen, I knew from that moment, my family will never be the same as it used to be.

"You think I will stop you? Go and never show your face here again! We don't need someone like you! " My father's voice thundered and he closed the door of their room with anger.

Nagkagulo ang bahay noong araw na 'yon. I was begging my mother not to leave home, while she was also begging me to let her go. Iyak ako ng iyak at halos walang nakapagpatahan sa akin. I run towards my mother's car while it was speeding away from our house, nadapa ako and I was also screaming when my mother disappeared from my vision.

Hindi na ako nakapasok ng araw na 'yon. Nana Juanita called my school that I couldn't attend the election anymore.

My alarm busted my ears and I groaned not wanting to get up from my bed. I didn't notice the time when I drifted to sleep. I snatch my phone behind my pillow and check the time. It's 7:00 am in the morning.

I immediately went inside the bathroom and did my morning routine. I went down the extravagant staircase clad with crystals and golden touch of color. Our house is close enough to be called like a mansion but I know, compared to ours, the Arden's has the hectares of land and one of a heck of mansions all over Ilocos Sur. Nagkalat ang mga mansion nila, pero dito sa Narvacan ang pinaka may malawak na lupain at pinakamalaking mansyon kaya dito sila nakatira.

The house is usually quite. There's no trace of Don. Antonio Augustine, I bet he didn't spend the night here. Ate Maya is nowhere to be found and I think my father did really send her to Manila. I'm planning to reach her through phone call after class, and I'll also try to call my mom again.

"Hindi na ipapagamit ang e-bike sayo, Amari. Ihahatid ka ni Mang Remi sa school mo ngayon." Nana Juanita said while I was walking the hallway towards the dining table.

" Who's gonna use my e-bike, Nana? Masisira 'yon kapag hindi ginamit" I frowned. They should be thankful that I didn't wish for a car. Mas lalong sasakit ang mga bunbunan nila kapag kotse na ang hiniling ko!

"Sabi ni Antonio, magagamit mo lang kapag marunong ka na at dito mo lamang sa loob ng bakuran magagamit." She responded while fixing my lunch box. I saw that she already prepared my request na ulam that's why I smiled at her. I'm lucky that even if mom is not around, Nana Juanita is here to fill in the gaps that my parents failed to do. But it is not enough. I'm just fourteen, and still yearning for my parents love and attention.

" I'll try to look for someone who knows how to drive the e-bike,Nana. Magpapaturo po ako para magamit ko ang e-bike ko. "

I reached my school at exactly 7:30 am. I'm already late but I didn't bother to rush. Late na din naman ako, bakit pa ako magmamadali? Besides, I can't walk properly because my back is still aching. Nabalian 'yata ako when that Arden drop me yesterday!

Since I'm late I was planning to not attend my first period. I will just wander around the campus and try to look for a place that I can spend my time.

"Are you aware that cutting classes is prohibited?" someone talked behind me. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad and his expressionless face welcomed my frowning face.

" Looks who's here? Are you that obsessed with the rules that even walking towards my class is considered I'm cutting my class?" I snorted at him. Trying to cover that I lied. My eyes squinted to his ID case. I was trying to read his name but this dumbass flickered his finger unto my forehead.

" Ouch! What the f**k is your problem? " Hinawakan ko ang parte ng noo kong pinitik niya. My eyes were throwing daggers towards him.

" And cursing is also prohibited. I'll add another 2 hours to your community service. One for cursing, and one for trying to cut class. " I was left dumbfounded because of what he'd said. Hindi niya ako hinintay na makapag reklamo sa pinataw niyang parusa at basta na lamang niya akong tinalikuran!

I didn't twice, kinuha ko ang isang pares ng Dr. Marten black loafers ko at hinawakan 'yon ng mahigpit. I was facing his back while he was casually walking away, my lips formed into a grin. I made a position-- like I was throwing a ball, but in this case, I'm going to throw my shoes towards that bastard!

My shoe landed on his back creating a violent thud. My grin never left my lips. I heard countless curses from him and he was holding his back with an awkward position. I didn't notice that I was already laughing!

" Serves you right, jerk! You busted my back yesterday too! My back is aching like hell since yesterday! We're quits! " I didn't wait for his reaction at tumakbo na ako ng mabalis papaalis sa lugar na 'yon. I'm laughing and some students were staring at me like I was crazy. Sakto naman na tumunog na ang bell indicating that the first period is already done.

Tumigil ako sa tapat ng classroom at saktong papasok na sana ako nang kusang bumukas ang pinto. My math teacher squinted her eye all over my body, and it stopped on my feet, my eyes followed her where she was staring at and I almost cursed when I realized that the other pair of my shoe were left behind after throwing it to Arden!

" Miss. Camero, I think you are too early for your next class. " Mataray niya akong tinignan bago ito naglakad paalis sa classroom namin.

" Anong nangyari sayo, Amari? Gaga ka talaga! Anong kalokohan na naman ang ginawa mo?" Hetty exclaimed while staring at me. Nakatingin din lahat ng mga classmates ko but I tried to shake off the embarrassment through rolling my eyes towards them.

I didn't bother to answer Hetty's series of questions. I sat down on my chair and tried to think how the f**k will I do to get my shoe? I can't walk around looking like this!

" Hala, siraulo ka talaga! You are biting your nails. Meaning may ginagawa ka naman na kabobohan, Amari! " ngumuso ako sa kanya at humalukipkip. Huminga ako ng malalim at bigla kong hinawakan ang mga balikat niya.

" I need your help, Hetty! Some monster might show up later, you must protect me!" I'm panicking because it is finally sinking that what I did earlier is a bad move! He'll probably give another hour or another punishment!

" Sabihin mo muna kung ano ang ginawa mo, hung-hang ka" halos lumabas naman ang mga kaluluwa ni Hetty sa katawan because she doesn't know why I'm acting strangely. I didn't have a choice but to tell her about what happened earlier.

" Ewan ko talaga sayo, Amari! Ang hirap mong ipagtanggol! Anong gagawin na'tin ngayon? SSG president 'yon tapos anak ng gobernador! Paano kung ipatumba ka 'non?!" I feel like we were engot kasi we are half whispering and half shouting, our classmates were looking at us weirdly.

"But he did it first! Binagsak niya ako sa wet floor! Ang sakit kaya 'non!" I shot back. Umirap siya sa akin at tumanggo din naman sa huli. Agreeing that it was fair.

" Pero, alam mo bang marami 'yang fangirls? Mag pray kana lang na hindi nila malaman na binato mo ang future governor ng Ilocos" she grinned at me. Ngumiwi naman ako dahil having fangirls is just too corny. Our MAPEH teacher came in, and she instructed us to go at the new gymnasium. She have us 5 minutes to change into our P.E uniform. Pinalabas ang mga boys at kaming girls ang naiwan para magpalit ng damit.

" Maglalaro daw tayo kasama ang Special Science Class 10! " Dessamarie shouted in delight. She stared applying make up to her face at napangiwi naman si Hetty sa nakita.

" Dessamarie, volleyball ang pupuntan, hindi clown show" Hetty smirked while trying to pissed Dessamarie.