Last Summer's Catastrophe

Chapter 42

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Kinaumagahan ay maagang umalis si Genesis. Labag pa 'yon sa kalooban niya dahil gusto niyang bantayan ako. Good thing I convinced him to go back in Nagcarlan since he's needed there. Kapalit non ay nangako akong hindi ako lalabas ng unit ko kung hindi kailangan at tatawagan siya from time to time.

My mind was still half asleep when he left. But he cooked me breakfast before that. Kaya naman paggising ko ay minicrowave ko na lang ang niluto niya.

I was already washing the dishes when I heard knocks in my door. Agad akong dinalaw ng takot. Handa na akong i-dial ang number ni Genesis nang biglang tumawag si Mama. Maagap ko itong sinagot.

"Ma..."

"Nasa condo ka ba? Nasa labas kami ng unit mo."

Dali-dali akong lumapit sa pinto at pinagbuksan siya. Papa and Ate Ada is with him. Sinalubong ako ng yakap ni Mama.

"Okay ka lang ba? Hindi ba nakapasok dito ang media? Nakita namin, ang daming nag-aabang sa baba anak," may bahid na pag-aalala ang boses niya.

"Nakakainis sila, huh? Muntik pang matulak si Mama. Mga hayok sa impormasyon," inis na sabi ni Ate.

I surveyed Mama and she seems fine. She even smiled to assure me.

Nakakagalit. I understand that they're just doing their job. Na iyon ang pinagkukuhanan nila pera. But what I can't understand is them putting violence and forcing us to talk even if we don't to. Can't they respect our decision? We will talk if we want to, at kung ayaw man namin ay huwag na nilang ipilit. Just move to the people who are more willing to talk.

"Buti na lang talaga at naitaboy ng security," segunda ni Mama.

"Have you eaten breakfast?" I asked them.

"May dala kami, Anak. Lutong bahay. Kumain ka na ba?"

"Kakatapos ko lang po, Papa." Itinuro ko pa ang bagong hugas na mga pinggan.

"E, siya mamaya na lang kainin dahil kumain naman na kami bago umalis."

I nod and gestured them to my living room. Binuksan ko rin ang tv para may pagkalibangan at ang ilaw dahil masyadong madilim dito. My curtains are all close since I'm afraid they might stalk me and took a photo from the adjacent building.

"Eula maupo ka rito," Mama pointed the couch in near them. "May sasabihin sana kami sa'yo."

Binalot ako ng kaba. There's something in her tone and seriousness that feels wrong. Inwardly, I'm already preparing myself for the worst.

Nilingon ko si Papa na mukhang seryoso rin. His lips were in a grim line. Habang si Ate naman ay may bahid ng simpatya ang mukha.

Mama took my hands and massage it lightly.

"Tungkol sa nangyari dati. I know it still affects you and you're still blaming yourself for what happened, anak. But I want you to know that you're not at fault."

My jaw clenched. I want to believe that I'm not at fault too but I just can't. Kasi alam kong kahit nga hindi ko sinasadya ay sa akin pa rin 'yon nagsimula.

"Tama na po, Ma. Stop comforting me with that line coz honestly Ma, I'm getting tired of hearing that. From myself, from Genesis, from all of you."

"Hindi dahil sa gasul o sa niluluto mo nagsimula ang apoy. Huli na rin naming nalaman na dahil sa nagka-aberyang wire system kaya nagkasunog."

Nangunot ang noo ko. Hindi tuluyang maproseso ang sinasabi nila. There's a part of me that's cheering for happiness and also frustration.

"Ano po?"