The Truth Untold

CHAPTER 11

HAZHA'S POV

A year has passed and everything seems peaceful and quiet around the household. I was glad that things started to feel normal since the day I lost my parents. Inalagaan ako ng mabuti ni Papa.

I was enjoying myself at home, watching TV and eating my favorite snacks. At this point, I waited for Papa to come through the door and greet me with his warm and welcoming embrace like usual. As time passed, I started getting anxious, not hearing his steps outside around this time. I went to check on my phone to tell the time: 8:40 p.m.

This is really weird. I thought to myself, Nandito na siya dapat ngayon. Nag-aalala ako para kay Papa. Paano kung may nangyaring masama sa kaniya? Nanginginig ako sa takot dahil naalala ko pa rin ang nangyari sa amin nina mommy at daddy.

Where is he? tanong ko sa sarili ko. Habang busy ako sa pag-iisp, may narinig akong mga yapak. But...

What if that's not papa? I asked myself, what if that's a policeman or someoneelse...

As I was about to look around somewhere to hide if that were the case, the front swung open and I saw a familiar figure walk in. My face lit up as I knew who it was.

"PAPA!" I yelled as I jumped off the couch. Tumakbo ako patungo sa kaniya at yinakap siya.

When I hugged him, I suddenly started having chills down my spine. Somehow, it felt colder than his usual warmth. I looked up at Papa and found him looking back.

There has to be a reason why he came home so late, right?
"Papa, is there something wrong?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

I felt Papa flinched at my question, making me think that something had happened to him. But to no avail, he smiled and gave me a hug. My eyes widened as this was really unexpected but I couldn't help but hug tighter.

"Oh, how I miss my little chicken," he replied, dodging my question.
I smiled, feeling relieved that he was okay but also worried about why he didn't answer my question. Maybe he needed some time to think about it or maybe he was hiding something from me.

Pinakawalan niya ako at pumunta na siya sa kaniyang kwarto. I frowned, seeing how weird his behavior was. Hindi siya ganito kapag umuuwi siya. Nakakapanibago.

I went to go ask, "Hey Papa, why did you come home so la-?"
"Hazha baby," he cut me off, "turn off the TV and start preparing the food. I'll be there with you in a sec."

I was shocked by how he just ignored my question again. My gut was feeling weird and my surroundings felt off. Something was different about him but I can't put my finger on what. Hindi ganito si Papa. Lagi siyang open sa akin.

While I was desperate for answers, I obeyed and went to turn off the TV. I, then walked into the kitchen to prepare for dinner. I knew I shouldn't bother him but at the same time, he looked like a changed man. However, I decided to let go from that theory when Papa joined to help me out with dinner a few seconds later.

The rest of the night was normal. Me and him started chatting with each other and had a bonding session too. I was glad that he didn't change much and just thought that maybe today was just weird. Things will be normal from then on and Papa will act like his bubbly self again.
...I was dead wrong...

The next day was the same as before, except more off. Like yesterday, Papa came home late, 12 am. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagkakaganito si Papa. What happened?

When papa came inside the house, I looked at him from the couch to observe his appearance. I was in a bit of a shock on how blank his expression was. There was no smile or enlightenment, just a face with no emotion whatsoever. He looks awfully tired too which makes me think that maybe his job wanted to work more hours or
something.

I got up and decided to go confront him about this. As I approached him, I then felt this awful feeling of danger. My gut was telling me that this may not be a good idea to do this again but I ignored it because I was now more desperate for answers.

"Papa, may tinatago ka ba sa akin?" I asked him with a concerned tone. Tiningnan niya ako at ngumiti pero halatang pilit lang ito, "Pagod lang si papa, Hazha."

"Bakit palagi ka nalang umuuwi ng late, what happened?"
His smile disappeared and is now just staring at me with this scary yet empty expression of his, "Pagod lang ako, that's all."

Papa then walked to his bedroom again and I started getting chills by how he looked at me. But like me being stubborn and a worried person, I decided to ask again.
"Please papa, can you tell me why-?"
Tumigil siya sa paglalakad at tiningnan ako ng may galit sa mata.
"Hazha, don't make me repeat myself," he said with a low and dark tone. Nagulat ako at hindi makapaniwala sa inasta ni Papa ngunit kahit na nanginginig din, dahan-dahan din akong tumango.

"I-I'm sorry, I won't ask again..." I mumbled under my breath.
Taking that as an apology, papa continued his way to his bedroom and shut the door hard behind him, making me jump a little. I started feeling like I was not in a warm and loving household as this negative vibe he was giving is now taking over.

Anong problema, papa? Why won't you tell me, I said in my head, gusto kitang tulungan, papa...

I went to my bedroom to lay on my bed and think for a bit. I started tearing up a little, having a thought that he may start getting worse each day. All I wanted was to help and see what's wrong and yet, he treats me like that? I don't even know anymore.

I went to bed with tears in my eyes early, knowing that he's not going to come into my room to apologize.

From then on out, nothing is the same anymore because uncle Zoren hasn't become his normal self again...