Against the Decalogue (Velez Series #2)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Bitter Truth

The blood that I saw is triggering a very painful memory. The way it trail down from the side of his head down to his face... it's exactly the same. Nanginig ang mga labi ko nang naalala ko na naman 'to. Magkahalong takot, kaba, pagkabalisa at pagkabahala ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. This incident is making me reminisce that certain painful memory from the past.

And just like that...I saw a flashback of what happened years ago.

“Suzy! H'wag kang tatawid!” I can hear Mama's voice trying to stop the 8-year-old me from crossing the street.

Kabisadong-kabisado ko pa kung ano ang sinabi sa'kin ni Mama nang araw na 'yon. Kahit anong pigil at habol niya sa'kin, hindi niya ako maaabutan. That moment, ang gusto ko lang ay ang makatawid sa kabilang gilid ng kalsada para makabili ng ice cream. It was our first bonding after many months at tuwang-tuwa ako kasi lumabas kami ng bahay at pumunta sa park.

I ignored my mother's voice and it resulted into something...painful.

Everything happened so fast. The deafening sound of a big truck's horn filled my ears. Its bright light blinded me. Nakita ko nalang si Mama na mabilis ang takbo papunta sa direksyon ko at tinulak kaagad ako. My eyes widened when I witnessed everything.

My mother being hit by that truck that supposed to hit me.

And how the blood trailed from the side of her head down to his face while she directed her face to my direction just to smile at me.

Ang pangyayaring iyon ay kabisadong-kabisado ko pa na parang nangyari lang 'yon kahapon. I remember how it traumatized me back when I was younger. That's the reason why...I am afraid to break the decalogue. Mukha ni Mama na punong-puno ng dugo ang naaalala ko.

Pumikit ako at sinubukang pakalmahin ang sarili ko. I tried to focus on what the Doctor is trying to say kasi kung saan-saan na naman lumilipad ang isipan ko. When I finally calmed myself, I opened my eyes.

“The patient is now fine and needs recovery. His joint is dislocated here that's why he needs to wear a cast. He also have some neck injury so he might be confined for two weeks.” ani Tito Vic sabay turo sa isang X-Ray result.

My hands immediately went to my chest. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa sinabi ni Tito Vic. Thankfully, he was working here in this hospital. He's Audy's Dad at siya ang nag-check sa lalaking nasagasaan namin. He smiled at me before putting down the X-Ray results of the man earlier.

I asked my bodyguards to follow the man up to here. Noong una ay ayaw pa nila, but one of them agreed to me,'yong driver. Apparently, he felt guilty because he was the one driving the car. Kaya naman napilit ko sila na pumunta dito sa hospital kung saan dinala ang lalaki kanina.

I am so worried to bits. Even though I don't know him, but the fact that he was hit by our car is enough for me to feel this way. I don't have the guts to let the poor man shoulder any blame. The image of his face being covered with blood and his uniform being drenched with blood, too, is enough for my thoughts to pause and not appear in my mind.

“Is he really going to be fine, Tito?” tanong ko ulit sa kaniya to totally ease my system.

Sinugod kaagad ang lalaki sa E.R. nang nakarating kami sa hospital. I wasn't able to attend morning classes because I am so worried. Kanina pa ako naghihintay sa results ng mga tests na in-undergo niya para lang malaman kung okay lang ba siya. Pakiramdam ko... he's my responsibility.

Tito Vic nodded. “He's already fine, hija. All he needs is rest for his fast recovery.”

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag habang minamasahe ang dibdib. Buti naman kung gano'n. Kanina pa kasi ako kinakabahan at natatakot. I am so afraid of what the result might be. Buti nalang at hindi masyadong malala ang resulta ng test.