Loving The Light [Cosmos Series#4]

Kabanata 1

My cheek burned in pain when Tita Salvia's palm met my face.

"Mama!" I heard Calvin stopping her mom but I'm too focused on my father who's wearing his cold eyes, standing behind his-- I don't even know how to address her. Salvia's not his wife. Girlfriend? Napangiwi ako sa naisip na iyon. They're too old for that title. One thing I know, my mother will always be the only wife.

"Mama, pananagutan ko si Auriese. Aakuin ko ang bata."

Salvia sarcastically looked at his son. Iritadong umiling bago muling bumaling sa akin.

"Hindi kita ipakakasal sa anak ko kung ganyan ang sitwasyon mo!" Who says I want to marry your son? Kayo lang namang mag-ina ang may gusto noon.

"Ipalaglag mo ang bata!"

Mariin akong napapikit, tila naubos ang lahat ng aking pasensya dahil sa narinig. Ipalaglag ang bata? Hindi ko naisip na gawin 'yon. I planned this. Ito na 'yung gusto ko, bakit ko ipapalaglag?

She's a mother, how can she say those things?

I heaved a deep breath and looked directly at Tita Salvia's eyes. "Why do you even want me to marry your son? Hindi ba sapat ang perang nakukuha mo kay daddy?"

"Priscilla Auriese." I heard dad's warning tone but I continued like I didn't hear anything.

"Why don't you marry dad instead? O baka naman ayaw kang pakasalan kaya ako ang itinutulak mo sa anak mo?" I saw dad from the side of my eyes, massaging his temples.

Tita Salvia's eyes widened in rage. "Wala kang modo. Disgrasyada ka, lumayas ka rito!" The veins on the woman's neck's visible as she pointed the door of our mansion.

"Mama, 'wag naman gano'n. We can still fix this."

"What's happening?" A familiar voice hoarse. I glanced at the door and saw my twin entered. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan nang makita siya ngunit agad akong nanlamig nang maalala ang sitwasyon.

He always got my back but right now, after what happened, I don't know. I doubt it.

"Palayasin mo 'yang kakambal mo!"

"This is her house, you have no right to tell her that." I almost shiver at the coldness of Prestin's tone. Matapos ay kunot noo niya akong nilapitan. "What happened?"

"Auriese's pregnant." Si Calvin ang sumagot para sa akin. I almost growled at him. Prestin slowly turned to me with eyes full of confusion, I let our eyes talk. At mariin akong napapikit nang marinig ang mura ni Prestin. "Fuck!" My chest tightened as I looked at him.

"Who's the father? Pananagutan ka ng kung sino man ang ama ng dinadala mo." I shook my head at Prestin. It can't be.

"H-hindi ko alam," I lowered my head. I don't want to see his reaction. I can stand my dad's cold eyes but not Prestin. He's the closest person I have. His opinion is important. At masakit para sa akin na malaman na dismayado siya sa akin. Well, I expected it already.

"See? I can't stand living with a woman like you! Lumayas ka rito!"

Nahihiwagaan kong tinignan si Tita Salvia. "You can't do that," sarkastikong sambit ko bago bumaling kay dad. "Dad, do something."

Dismayado niya akong tinignan bago umiling at bumaling kay Prestin. My lips parted as I felt my tears as the side of my eyes.

"I don't want to see any trace of your sister from this mansion. I don't want a disgrace in our family!"

My eyes widened. "Daddy!" I hopelessly turned to Prestin but he's intently looking at dad. I immediately wiped the tears on my cheeks.

"You can't do that to your own daughter." A small smile formed on my lips when I heard Prestin but dad already gave his decision.