Orphic Love

Chapter 23

Chapter 23
Kill

Papa was rushed to the hospital along with the other guests who also got shot. Ngunit sa kanilang lahat, pinakamalala ang natamo ni Papa.

Halos nakatulala lang ako habang naghihintay kami sa labas ng emergency room kung nasaan si Papa. Paulit-ulit sa isip ko ang nangyari kanina. It will all end up with the image of Papa lying on the floor covered with his own blood. Tears stung my eyes once more, and with my Mama's sobs echoing in my ears, it moved me more to tears.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Mama. Her shoulders were trembling as she tried to cry quietly. Tinatabunan niya ang kaniyang mukha gamit ang kaniyang mga kamay. Beside her, Tita Kuja tried to calm her down by assuring her that Papa will be alright, but it's no use.

Sitting beside me, nanatili lang tahimik si Kuya Azekiel. His hands are covered with Papa's blood. Nakayuko siya at natatabunan ang mga mata ng kaniyang itim na buhok.

"Kuja," a familiar voice called.

I turned to our right the same time Tita did. Still in his suit and tie, Tito Emmanuel walked towards us with furrowed brows and usual stoic look. Behind him was Lolo with his personal nurse next to him. Tumayo si Tita at sinalubong ang asawa.

"Kumusta? Nalaman na ba kung sino 'yong gumawa nito? Ang ibang naroon?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

"Yes. Though the authorities couldn't talk to him properly cuz he's still high. Everyone is fine. Nagpaiwan si David at Sam doon para asikasuhin sila at para na rin sa imbestigasyon," si Tito.

"Who was it?"

Sumulyap sa gawi namin si Tito bago sumagot.

"Arthur Siervo. Ang gagong 'yon, nagpakalulong na sa droga. He looks like a different person now,"

Namilog ang mga mata ko. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig kasabay ng pagusbong ng matinding kaba sa aking sistema na nagpabilis nang kabog ng aking puso. I cleared my throat.

Arthur... Siervo? Could it be... I swallowed hard.

Natigilan si Tita Kuja. Her eyes widened a bit. I turned to Mama when she suddenly lifted her head to Tito after hearing his answer.

Her lips parted as if she was about to say something, but Lolo stood in front of her stopping her from doing so. My eyes shut tight when Lolo started shouting at Mama.

"Kasalanan mo ang lahat nang 'to! Kundi dahil sa 'yo, hindi kami nagkakaganito ngayon! Erriol will die because of you! You..." hindi na niya matuloy ang sinasabi sa sobrang galit. His hands were shaking in pure anger.

Mama looked up at him in a pleading way. Parang paulit-ulit na tinutusok ang puso ko nang makita ang itsura niya. Flushed, all I can see in her swollen eyes full of tears were pain and guilt. Bahagyang nakauwang ang nanginginig niyang labi. At nang magtama ang paningin nila ni Lolo, dumaan ang matinding takot sa kaniyang mga mata.

Tila may kung anong bumabara sa aking lalamunan habang pinapanood kung papaanong, kahit na halatang nanghihina, ay nagsumikap si Mama na abutin ang kamay ni Lolo. She bowed her head a bit as if pleading while tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

"P-Patawad po..." her shaking voice cracked.

Even though it was obvious how she couldn't speak properly with her current state, inulit-ulit pa rin ni Mama ang paghingi ng tawad.

"Patawad po..." she said again and again as if her life dependent on it.

Lolo shoved her hand in a disgust way. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at her.