"Did you take your medicine?" tanong ko kay Ate Ashiana. Masyado nang malumay ang mukha niya. I don't know why but she told me na umiinom daw siya ng gamot pero she didn't tell me kung ano ang sakit niya. I'm trying to know it but the doctors didn't let me know about her illness. I think she pays them. Hays!
"I did. By the way, how's school, Freena?" She asked me while sipping to her own coffee. Honestly, it sucks! Ang daming pabida-bida sa eskwelahan na 'yon, akala naman nila kung sino silang mababait at mayayaman. Errrr and speaking of mayaman, well mayaman naman talaga sila I mean lahat kami ay mayayaman because we studied in Weston De University one of the strongest school here in Philippines. We also known as elite students because we belonged to a wealthy family. And yeah! We're fvcking rich.
"Maayos naman, how about you?"
"I'm recovering." mahina na saad niya pero rinig ko naman. She's recovering from what? Argh! She's confusing me!
"I don't know what really happened to you, Ate Ash, but please take care of yourself." ngumiti ako ng malaki sa kanya. She smiled back kaya't kitang-kita ko ang perpektong mga ngipin niya. She's so pretty.
"I will. Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?"
"Oh shook! Uuwi na pala ako, Ate Ash! Babalik ako bukas Ate. Bye!"
***
"You're bound to die, Vandeon! Whether you like it or not!"
Napahinto ako sa harapan ng pintuan nang marinig ko ang malakas na sigaw ni Daddy kay kuya Vandeon. Binaba ko ang kamay ko na nasa hamba ng pintuan at umatras ng kaunti. Did I heard it wrong?
"You're so cruel, Dad! I don't want to die yet! I have a family and I want to be with them!"
"You can be with them, Vandeon. But when that day comes? You can't do anything about it but accept it."
"Why? Bakit kailangang mamatay pa ako?"
Tila sumikip ang dibdib ko sa narinig. Kuya will die? Why? Anong dahilan? And what the fvck is going on here.
"You're my secret weapon and I'm using you against them."
"I-I'm...what?!"
Tila nanghina ako sa sinabi iyon ni Daddy. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig. Anong ibig niyang sabihin? I want to know more but I will never let my Kuya die. Shit!
"You're my weapon in this battle, Vandeon. I'll let you be with your family; I will protect them too and secure their safety, but in exchange, I will take your life."
"I'm your son for god's sake, Dad! What the fvck is wrong with you! Ikaw ang papatay sa akin!"
"Hindi ako. Our enemy!"
"Why am I suffering like this, Dad? Do you think I deserve this? You want me dead. Then fine! Kill me now!"
****
He's my Dad's secret weapon. Siya ang panangga ni Daddy sa mga kasalanan na ginawa niya. Wala siyang pakialam kay Kuya Vandeon, tanging ang sarili niya lang ang pinahahalagahan niya. Wala siyang kwentang ama! Mas gusto kong siya ang mamatay walang hiya siya.
"I don't understand why he's like that to you, Kuya. He's our father, but wala siyang pakialam sa atin, and you let him take your life! Are you insane? Where is your goddamn freedom, Kuya?! Don't let him do that to you. He's being unfair to us!" reklamo ko kay Kuya Vandeon.
"Hindi ka mamamatay! Maybe he is just joking around, right? And you will never take his words seriously because you had a family and you love them so much. Don't tell me iiwan mo silang dalawa?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kahit na nanginginig ako ngayon sa takot. I don't know why.
