His Darkest Obsession

Chapter 03: Back

( Flashback. After 5 years. Hinata - 21 years old, Hikari - 16 years old )

"Yes, Dad. I'm going home tomorrow. And it's for good."

He heard his father sigh, "Hinata—"

"Dad, 5 years is already more than enough. Now that I finished my studies, I can go home."

And I can take care of her again for you.

His Father was silent for a bit. "Alright. We'll see you, then."

Agad siyang napangisi sa narinig.

"Yes, thank you!"

After hanging up the phone, he sighs in relief. He's been waiting for a long time. Five years had been a torture for him. Days after he was sent here, he was worried sick for the little sister back home. Since he's not there, even though he gave her a music box, it's actually not enough because it couldn't protect her nor could do anything.

If she was locked up again, no one would be there and would secretly give her food to eat. Wala na siyang naging balita kung ano man ang nangyayari rito. Well, he tried asking his parents but they were indifferent and they seemed to annoyed by mentioning her. Sa takot na rin na baka mas mainis ito at kay Hikari pa ibunton ang galit ay pinigilan na niya ang sarili na magtanong.

However, he just hoped badly that nothing happened. He knew that she's brave but he didn't know to what extent. After all, she's like a kid to him.

Anyway, since uuwi na rin naman siya, bukas na lang niya aalahanin ang lahat kapag nalaman na niya ang sitwasyon nito.

**

Successfully arriving at the airport, it was only his Mom waiting for him— smiling brightly.

"Mom!" He greeted her. They hug for a moment before they start going out.

"How are you sweetheart?" nakangiting tanong nito nang makasakay sila sa kotse at nagmaneho na ito.

"I'm fine. After graduating, the University offered us some companies to apply to. However, of course, I refuse. I'll take two weeks of break first before going with Father in the company, probably" aniya. Tumango tango ito.

"That's good. Two weeks is enough for you to rest. Maybe we should go on a trip too, right?"

"A trip?" a though flash on his eyes and he hesitated for a while before asking her anyway,

"Can we take—"

"No." Hindi pa nga siya tapos magtanong ay agad siya nitong tinanggihan. Nawala din ang ngiti sa mukha nito at napalitan ng pagkadisgusto.

"We will never take her outside the house."

"But, Mom? When was the time that she was able to go out? As far as I remember, she was when she's just two years old, then after years she was locked up in the house. She wasn't even able to go to school let alone go outside." He sighs in frustration.

"Mom, it's been so many years, but I still don't understand. Why are you like this to her? Hikari is your daughter too. She's a family—"

"Hinata." mariin nitong ani. "She's too low to be acknowledge as part of our family. Back when she's just one year old, she can't even utter a single word! We brought her to the Doctor and it stated that both her IQ and EQ is running slow like a snail so she will be stupid! And the Doctor was right! She's really an idiot that I am very ashamed to call her my own!" eksaheradang ani nito. He pursed his lips at what he heard.

How could she talk like this as if Hikari isn't her own flesh and blood?

"Son, we're from a respectable family. An idiot like her will only stain the family. Luckily, I made it public that I sent her abroad because she was sick. If anyone would know that she turned out to be a freak, what would everyone think of our family?!"

Palihim na lamang niyang kinuyom ang mga kamao para pigilan ang sarili na magsalita. Hanggang ngayon ay basura parin ang tingin nila kay Hikari. Wala paring pinagbago at parang mas lumala. Mas lalo tuloy siyang nag-alala. Ano kaya ang nangyari rito sa lumipas na limang taon?

They arrive shortly at the gate of their house when his Mother suddenly gasps.

"Oh!"

"Mom?"

"I forgot the groceries! We suppose to go there before going home!" napabuga ito ng hangin. "Wala tayong kakainin!"

"Uhm, we'll take order instead?" umiling ito sa suhestyon niya.

"No. I want to cook for you. It's been years, son."

"Then we'll go back?"

Sandali itong nag-isip. "No. I'll go back. While you, stay at the house and take a rest."

He was actually delighted at her suggestion but he feigned his concern.

"Are you sure about that? I'm actually feeling dizzy."

"Ah, yes! I'll go back right away and cook for dinner."

"Okay. But you can take your time. Just go slowly 'cause I may need to sleep a little longer."

"Okay. Take a good rest, then."

"Sure!" bumaba na siya ng sasakyan at kinuha ang dalawang suitcase sa likod.

"By the way," aniya nang huminto sa may bintana.

"Where's Dad? Sinong tao lang dito sa bahay?"

"Oh, he's at work. He'll come at dinner. And it's just her at the house."

"Okay. Thanks. Take care, Mom."

Nang maka-alis na ang Ina ay nagmadali siyang pumasok sa loob hila-hila ang mga gamit. He open the door and immediately scan the whole house.

Marami ang nagbago pero hindi ito ang priyoridad niya.

Where is Hikari?

Maybe she was locked up again?

Sa pag-aalala, iniwan niya sa may pintuan ang dala-dala at kumaripas ng takbo sa taas. Binuksan niya agad ang kwarto ng mga magulang at agad pumunta sa cabinet.

Ang kaso nga lang, wala ito doon.

Sa kwarto niya?

Bumaba siyang muli galing sa taas at pumunta sa likod kung saan naroon ang kwarto nito sa pinakasulok.

He was actually nervous and excited. Ilang taon din siyang nawala. Hindi niya alam kung nagtatampo ba ito kasi hindi siya nagparamdam o kung may nabago ba rito. He wondered if her attitude towards him will still be the same.

He carefully unscrew the doorknob and peek inside. Walang tao sa loob. He frown. Asan na yun—

"S-Sino ka?!"

He was startled by the sudden voice behind him. However, hearing such a familiar voice, he couldn't help but smile widely.

It's her!

Agad niya itong hinarap at balak sanang agad yakapin agad pero para siyang natuod sa nakita.

The tiny fragile girl from his memories disappeared and he was bewildered by the woman in front of him.

Yes, woman.

It was due to her white pale skin, slender long legs, barefooted, wet hair and only wearing a white towel that he could not think of her as a little girl.

This… is Hikari?!

****