Kabanata 8
Outpour
With full force, I stormed out of the car and slammed the door. Sumunod si Rience nang may pagmamadali. Sa back gate kami dumaan dahil iyon naman madalas ang ginagamit. Sa farm ang front gate. My breathing was heavy as I made my way to our mansion.
Mainit ang ulo ko at wala nang iba. Gusto kong sumigaw, umiyak, manisi ng tao... pero paano ko gagawin iyon kung tinanggalan na nila ako ng karapatan? When all they do is to shut me out even when I'm family?
"Crescent," Rience called when I was just about to go to the grand staircase.
Sa tabi namin ay ang mga sofa. I saw Daddy's huge portrait on the wall. Pumikit ako nang mariin.
"Are you alright?"
"Alright?" may pagtitimpi kong sinabi. I faced him with tired yet angry eyes.
He's very serious. Malamang. Ano nga bang nakakatuwa sa sitwasyong ito? Pilit silang nagpapakabaliw sa pakikipagkompronta sa kung sino. Almost half my life, I had to put up with all their quarrels. Ako ang tagasalo ng lahat kahit wala akong kinalaman.
"Pagod... na pagod na ako," mariin kong sambit habang mahigpit ang kuyom ng mga kamao.
Tahimik lang si Rience sa pagmamasid sa akin. I saw pity in his eyes. Nilukot yata ang puso ko. Ganito na ba ako kakawawa?
"Your brother is doing everything he can to spare you---" Hindi niya natuloy ang sinasabi at parang nagsisi pa.
Mas napikon ako. Of course he'd protect Kuya Eulyses. Ano bang silbi ng pagkakaibigan nila kung hindi?
"You should trust him. He's most concerned about you."
"Who are you to say that?" Umiral ang pagiging prangka ko. "Sino ka ba? Why are you speaking on his behalf? Do you think I need that?"
His brows furrowed. He's a little confused with how I acted. My blood boiled by the minute. Tumukod ako sa isang couch sa malapit dahil hindi ko kinakaya ang naglalaban sa aking loob.
"I'm saying this because you're starting to hate him. He's not your enemy, Crescent."
"What are you up to, Rience Trajano?" Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya.
He licked his lips. "I'm here to help---"
"Puwes, I don't need your help. I don't and will never appreciate all your help rooted from my brother's orders. Nakikipagsabwatan ka sa kaniya, mapaalis lang ako sa nangyayari. 'Tingin mo kung ikaw ang nakakaranas nito, matutuwa ka ba?"
He licked his lips again. His jaw clenched. Mukhang naiinsulto ko na siya dahil hindi na rin maganda ang kaniyang timpla.
"Of course, you wouldn't like it! Kaya wala kang karapatan ipagtanggol ang kapatid ko dahil lang kaibigan ka niya!"
My voice echoed on the four corners of the house. Wala akong pakialam doon. He's frustrating me and his so-called help intensifies my anger. It's shooting higher. Ni minsan hindi pa ako nagalit nang ganito kalala.
"S-Senyorita..." tawag ng isang kasambahay na nasa may hagdan. She's with another maid.
"Now I wonder what made my father so proud of you? Samantalang hindi mo siya pinuntahan sa huli niyang sandali..."
Suminghap siya. His icy blue eyes didn't lie about his contempt. Naglalaban ang aming mga tingin.
"Don't lecture me about how I should react to the situation because you're no one. You don't have a say in my life."
