Crime In Love Line

Chapter 24

Trigger Warning: Self-harm

It should be a typical day, but mom came rushing to us with a scrape on her elbows. My eyes widened and I immediately took the first aid kit.

"Where have you been, mommy!? What's this!?" I was cleaning her scratches.

She didn't speak but cried instead. Kaagad akong nag-panic dahil hindi ko alam kung bakit siya umiiyak. I hugged her and ask her what's wrong but she just shook her head. I rested my face on her shoulders before tapping her back.

"Mom, nandito ako...you can tell everything to me..." I said. "Who did these to you?"

"Anak...is Sylvia better than me?"

Kumawala ako sa yakap ni mommy at matalim siyang pinagmasdan. Did that Sylvia girl attacked my mom!? Kaya ba may sugat siya? Minaliit at inaway ba nila ang mommy ko!?

"Mom! You're the most precious mother in the whole wide World! What are you talking about!?"

"Wag 'kang magpa-paapi, hmm?" She caressed my hair. "I love you my baby Lianne..."

Mom became clingy and unusual this past days. Parang may pinagdadaanan siya dahil nakikita ko 'yon sa mga mata niya. When I tried to ask her what's wrong, she always say na pagod at stress lang daw sa trabaho.

My skies became dark and lonely after what happened on that party. Something was just stuck in my heart, and a traumatic event just happened.

Napapagod na rin akong pilitin na kilalanin ang halaga ko. Tita Kadrai's statement, and dad's announcement always plays in my mind like a damn movie tape. No matter how much I tried to look for the preciousness of my existence, I always end up on a breakdown and overthinking.

Usap-usapan na ngayon ang gulo sa party and it was also under investigation. Lalong naging mainit ang usapan tungkol sa pamilya ni daddy kaya lalo akong inilulubog sa kalungkutan. I just...don't know but it felt like everything went tangled.

"Sorry talaga, L.A! Akala talaga namin ay nasa likod ka lang namin!" Erich was bowing her head.

"Akala ko nga patay kana or nabaril ka na or na kidnap ka na. Sorry, L.A!" Ipinagdikit ni Ruby ang dalawang palad niya.

"Hindi ka naman na trauma? I mean...naiwan ka roon sa loob, di'ba? Tapos barilan pa 'yon...grabe feeling ko kasalanan ni Erich." Maenn joined the conversation.

"I'm blaming no one...ayos lang ako, focus on your researches na." I shook my head.

Nang hapon na 'yon, nagulat ako nang hindi makita sa harapan ng classroom namin si Jiro. I checked my phone but there were no texts or chats from him. I tried to call him and I sighed in relief when he answered his phone.

[Sorry baby...hindi na'ko nakapag text kasi kailangan namin agad dumeretso sa Comp. Lab.] He said on the phone. [Sabay tayo umuwi...or...pwede ka naman na mauna.]

"I'm not able to wait for you na. I have to go home early dahil ako ang toka for dinner..." I answered. "Good luck on your project. Love you!"

[Ingat ka ha! Wag mag ce-cellphone sa daan tapos left and right na lingon bago tumawid. Don't talk to strangers!] Para siyang seryoso kaya natawa ako. [I love you so much!]

Pagkauwi ko sa bahay ay nagpahinga muna ako bago mag luto ng tinola. Saktong nakahain na nang dumating si mommy.

"Good eve mom! How's-"

My lips parted when I saw mom's awful face, having dark circles under her eyes, pale lips and her hair were dry. Gulo-gulo pa ang coat niya at sira pa ang heels.