Trieja: Jake And Josh [Under Revision]

Chapter 64

"We heard the unfortunate news..." Sasha's worried voice caught Claire's attention. She was then pulled into a tight, warm hug as soon as Sasha opened the door of their condo. Worry was etched on her face as she scrutinized the exhaustion in Claire's eyes. "Oh, dear, I'm so sorry."

"I want out." Walang paligoy-ligoy na pahayag niya.

Claire gently pushed Sasha off of her. Dire-diretso ang pasok niya sa loob ng condo nito. Naabutan niya si Celeste na papaupo pa lang sa dark leather couch sa living room, ngunit agad napatigil nang makita siya. Saglit na tumagal ang titig niya sa masasarap na pagkain na nakalatag sa maliit at eleganteng coffee table.

Maaliwalas at magara man tingnan at sa pakiramdam ang interior ng unit ng tatlo, ngunit 'di niya makuhang kumalma at mapanatag. How relaxing their life seemed to be. Tila ba mga walang pinoproblema. Samantalang siya, nakatayo ngayon sa kanilang harap, nagpapakahirap sirain ang mga lalakeng pumasok sa buhay niya tapos sila... panguya-nguya lang ng pizza, burger, donuts, fries, at chicken sa McDonalds at Jollibee.

Nahalata ni Marilyn ang matagal na pagtitig niya roon. Iimbitahan pa lang sana siya ni Celeste na maupo nang matigilan ito at napatitig sa malamig na mga mata ni Claire. Marilyn noticed that. Sinundan niya ang tinititigan nito. Her gaze lingered on Claire's cold and emotionless eyes as she slowly sit on the single couch, adjacent to Celeste's.

"I want to quit." Ulit niya sa malamig na boses.

Their calmed expression were replaced with concern and pity. Dahan-dahan binaba ni Marilyn ang hawak na teacup sa coffee table. Both of them understand her. Celeste understood Claire's reason. Ina rin siya katulad nito. Kahit ano ay gagawin ng isang magulang mapabuti lang ang kanilang anak. But Sasha... she has that unreadable expression on her face as she gazed at Claire who had nothing but a blank expression etched on the latter's face.

"You can't just leave our plan unattended, Claire. We have to destroy the tradition!"

Umigting ang panga niya. "My daughter is in the hospital because of them, Tita Sasha."

"No, she's not! This is just God's way to prevent you from our plans!"

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. "I didn't know you're that religious." Her voice is filled with sarcasm.

Tumalim ang mga mata ni Sasha sa kanya. "And I didn't know that you're too weak."

Isang maikling pahayag lang mula sa kanya, parang bulkan na sumabog si Claire sa harap nilang tatlo. Celeste and Marilyn were stunned by her sudden outburst. While Sasha, her fury remained as she darted her gaze on Claire, firmly.

"Weak?" She asked with a firm and cold voice. "Yes, I am weak! Dahil anak ko na ang naaapektuhan dito! Hindi mo alam kung gaano kahirap makita ang anak mong nakaratay sa loob ng ospital... mahimbing ang tulog imbes na sa loob ng sariling kwarto mismo nito natutulog! How can I not be so weak when I have a daughter that's fighting for her life, huh?! How can I continue with our stupid plan if Cordelia's survival is at stake here!"

Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataong narinig nilang sumigaw si Claire. This was the first time she snapped like this. Tears streamed down her soft features. Mabilis at mabigat ang kanyang paghinga. Pain trickled in her heart as she picture the sight of her daughter lying weakly on that horrible, yet soft, hospital bed.

"Destroying them affected my daughter..." her voice suddenly broke.

Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. Saglit na nagsalubong ang kanyang mga kilay. She closed her eyes, firmly. Mataman niyang inisip ang susunod na sasabihin. They are, after all, older than her. Kahit papaano ay may respeto pa rin siya sa tatlo. Huminga siya ng malalim at binuksan ang basang mga mata.