The Path Towards Greatness (Youth Series #2)

04

#TPTG04

Later that evening, I got home from school. As soon as I entered the mansion, I saw my mother together with the least person that I was expecting...Archie.

I caught them talking seriously in the living room. Lumayo ako ng konti at nagtago sa likod ng pader. Pinakinggan ko ang usapan nila. I startled when I heard a loud slap.

"Ang kapal ng mukha mong bastusin ang anak ko!" my mom yelled

Sumilip ako ng konti para tignan sila. Nakatalikod sa'kin si mama, kaharap niya si Archie. He massaged his jaw and smirked. Unti-unti siyang tumingin kay mama.

"Parehas talaga kayong mag-ina," he chuckled

"You really have no manners young man. Hindi ka marunong rumispeto. I'll make sure your father knows about this," mom warned and turned her back on him

"And you think that will change anything?" pahabol ni Archie

Nanatiling nakatalikod si mama sa kanya. Nakakuyom ang kamao niya. She looks scared and nervous at the same time.

"Kayong mag-ina, ang taas lagi ng tingin niyo sa sarili niyo. You think all of this is yours? The money, this life, this house, our name?" he mocked

Humarap si mama sa kanya.

Archie raised his brow. "Hindi 'di ba?"

Hindi sumagot si mama.

Tumango tango si Archie at iginaya ang mata sa buong mansion. He put his hands inside his pocket and walked towards her.

"At the end of the day, you're still powerless. And you have no authority over me. You are just one of his puppets. I'm sure you're aware of that. Soon, he'll kick you out of the house. You and your daughter, " he said near her ear. Umatras na siya palayo kay mama pagkatapos

My mom remained steady. She looks tensed. Para siyang nanigas sa kinatatayuan niya. I want to defend her but my feet was glued to the floor. Hindi ko inalis ang paningin sa kanila.

Archie walked back and forth, his hands behind his back. "Hindi niyo alam na isang araw ay lahat ng ito ang mawawala sa inyo na parang bula. Isipin mo nalang ang future ng anak mo kapag nangyari iyon." He stopped and turned his head to my mom

Nagtago ulit ako sa pader. Pinilit kong pakalmahin ang saril. 

The nerve of that guy. How could he say that in front of my own mother? Okay na akong bastusin niya pero hindi ako papayag na pati sariling kong ina ay idamay niya. I also didn't understand what he meant earlier and why mom reacted that way. Whatever the reason is, he needs therapy. 

The same night, I took a warm bath to ease my body and to relax my mind.

I started blankly at the bubbles on my tub then I began cleaning my body. I stopped when I suddenly remembered what he did to me. Kung paano niya dinumihan ang katawan ko. I started to scrub my body hard. From my neck, to my arms, and down to my legs. Madiin ang bawat hagod ko kahit na humahapdi at namumula na ang balat ko. I ignored it. I just wanted to get rid of the filth and the traumatic memory.

But no matter how hard I try to forget it. I just couldn't. It's engraved on my mind, until I get old.

I slammed my hand on the water which caused a small splash. I closed my eyes and ran my fingers through my hair. I slowly hugged my knees and placed my chin on top of it. Kinagat ko ang pang ibabang labi at pumikit ng mariin.

Hindi nagtagal ay napadilat ako dahil narinig kong may kumatok sa pinto ko. It opened and I saw my mother standing behind it.

Malungkot siyang ngumiti. "Fey."