The Paintbrush Deal

CHAPTER 39

Lumipas din ang ilang linggo bago ko napagdesisyunan na bisitahin na nga ang tatay ko. Kahit na alam ko naman na sasamahan ako nina Skyler at Kelly, I still needed some time to think about what I want to do. It's not easy to just go and see my father on a whim. I was raped. I was raped by someone whom I trusted. Ano man ang gawin ko para pilit na iwanan sa nakaraan ang ginawang pambababoy sa 'kin, hindi ko pa rin makalilimutan ang takot na naramdaman ko.

Ngayon nga ay papunta na kaming tatlo sa tirahan ng tatay ko. Kelly told us na nasabihan na niya ang mga tao roon na paparating kami ngayon, so they should be expecting us. Alas-tres na ng hapon, at ilang minuto na lang ay makararating na kami sa destinasyon namin.

Wala ni isa sa 'min ang kumikibo. I'm thankful that Kelly and Skyler are giving me space. I need to compose myself para hindi ako mawalan ng kontrol kung sakali man na ibuhos ko sa tatay ko ang lahat ng sama ng loob ko.

I was quietly watching the buildings and people pass by the car's window when Skyler suddenly placed a gentle hand on my leg. Napalingon naman ako sa kanya.

"Are you really sure about this? We can still go back if you want. Pwede naman nating papuntahin sila sa bahay. That place could be too much for you," he said to me while driving.

"Kagaya ng nasabi ko na, I want to go back there. I think I have an unfinished business with that place, at sana makuha ko na ang closure na hinahanap ko kapag nakabalik na ako roon. If things go well today, baka mawala na rin ang galit ko sa tatay ko," sagot ko.

"Well, it seems that you're really ready. Kelly, malapit na ba tayo?" baling niya sa taong nasa back seat.

"Almost there, sir," Kelly replied while staring at his phone. "Liko ka lang po sa unang kaliwa na madaraanan natin."

As we neared the place, unti-unti ring nagiging pamilyar sa 'kin ang mga nakikita ko. I even passed by the high school where I studied. Finally, after several more minutes of driving, tumigil na kami sa tabi ng isang covered court.

"We can stop here," Kelly said. "Base sa directions na nakuha ko—"

"I know how to get there," I said firmly. "Kabisado ko pa rin naman ang lugar na 'to."

Kelly smiled at me lightly. "Then maghihintay na lang po ako sa inyo rito sa kotse. Ingat po kayo. Good luck. Sana po maging maayos ang usapan niyo," sabi niya.

As Skyler and I stepped out of the car, I also looked around the surroundings. Almost nothing has changed at all since the last time I was here. It seems that only yesterday I was running away from this place, tormented by monsters and shadows that I wasn't even able to defeat.

I suddenly felt my body trembling as the memories of my past came rushing back into my mind. Tila nararamdaman ko na naman ang lamig at ulan sa balat ko. Tila humahapdi na naman ang mga paa ko sa katatakbo. The air seemed to solidify, and I felt myself struggling to breathe. Despite the bright, warm day, everything around me seemed to darken and turn cold.

"I'm here."

A warm, gentle hand suddenly wrapped around mine. I looked beside me and saw Skyler, his lips curved into a subtle but comforting smile. Strange it may seem, but the darkness and cold suddenly faded away as Skyler's warmth slowly crept up my hand holding his.

"Saan ba ang bahay niyo? Let's go," Skyler said, squeezing my hand gently.

I nodded. "There," sabi ko bago ako dumiretso sa isang eskinita. Skyler didn't let go of my hand and stayed right beside me as we walked.

Makalipas ang ilang minutong pagliko-liko sa mga eskinita ay bumungad na rin sa 'min ang dati kong bahay. Halos wala ring nagbago roon. It still the same old depressing place that I used to know. However, something feels different this time.