"Kiddos!"
"What's the meaning of this?" Bakas ang galit sa boses ni Earl. Hindi niya akalaing tatakasan ng tatlo si Mr. Rivero.
Agad umahon ang tatlong teenager na hindi namalayang kanina pa sila naliligo sa tubig. Nang tumakas sila ay agad tumawag si Mr. Rivero sa school kaya nagmadaling sumunod si Earl.
Binuksan ni Earl ang bag ni Cindy. He picked the towel and wrapped it around her shoulders. Kinuha rin nina Seth at Anwar ang kani-kaniya nilang tuwalya.
"Nagsinungaling ka raw kay Mr. Rivero, Cindy?" His gaze wandered over her face, coming back to her eyes.
She turned her face away from him. "I didn't."
For a moment, he stared at her in disbelief. The anger in his eyes erupted once more. It went too far.
"Liar!"
"Sir!" Hinarangan ni Seth si Cindy. "Sir, hindi namin gustong pumunta sa community service. Please don't put the blame on her."
"And whose fault is that?" he challenged.
"Napilitan lang siya sir," katuwiran ni Seth.
"I am telling the truth! Nabunggo ang kotse ni Mommy!"
Earl froze, hoping for a moment na babawiin ni Cindy ang sinabi niya. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na pinanindigan ni Cindy ang kasinungalingan niya. Kahit siya na tumayong ama nilang tatlo ay nagawang saktan ni Cindy. He experienced alternating waves of pain and realization. Hindi pala siya itinuring na ama ni Cindy at ang masakit pa ay ginamit pa niya ang kaniyang ina.
Napalingon si Seth kay Cindy. He gave her a questioning look so she quickly averted her eyes. Tahimik lamang si Anwar sa gilid. He was unable to speak.
Ilang sandali ay tumunog ang cellphone ni Earl. Kinuha niya ito sa kaniyang bulsa at 'tsaka niya sinagot ang tawag.
"Yes, hello."
"Yes, this is Earl Blanko." His eyes grew large.
"Okay, I'll be there." With that, he hung up.
"What's the problem, sir?" Seth asked curiously.
Earl bit his lower lip and stared at Cindy.
"It's the hospital's telephone number."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
Napabuga ng hangin si Earl. "I can't believe this is happening."
He looked at Cindy with furious eyes.
"Your mom is in the hospital."
Nanlaki ang mga mata nilang tatlo.
"What?" she asked watching Earl's face.
"She was injured . . . in a car accident."
🤥
"Mom!"
Binuksan ni Cindy ang pintuan ng private room ng kaniyang ina. Naabutan niya ang kaniyang Lola Cristy.
She froze on the spot nang makita niyang may benda sa noo ang kaniyang ina. Natutulog ito at mukhang mahina. Gusto niyang lapitan si Sera. Nakaramdam siya ng matinding sakit sa dibdib.
Bigla siyang nanginig at tumakbo palayo.
A tear slipped down her cheek. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya dadalhin ng kaniyang mga paa. Lumabas siya sa likuran ng hospital kung saan ay may mga upuang gawa sa bakal.
She sat down unable to hold her tears.
'Damn it! What happened!' she balled her fist on her lap.
BINABASA MO ANG
The River of Truth
Novela Juvenil"The most dangerous liars are those who think they are telling the truth." Lying is frequently characterized as selfish behavior. However, it became a habit for three youngsters. They believe lying is necessary, and they are unconcerned about the fe...
