GONE WRONG (Gone Series 1: Summer Aine Quin)

Kabanata 42

"Her body began to deteriorate when she returned to the Philippines, Sam."

Our bond may not be as strong as it once was when we were younger, but those memories will always have a special place in my heart. My brother Luke was always caring and protective of me, but he was usually busy, and I had no one to spend time with. Until Celestine came.

"She... She didn't tell me. I had no idea she was sick. "

When I met her again, she looked healthy. As if there was nothing wrong with her at all. That's why I was taken aback as to why she kept it on me. Kahit nagkaroon ng lamat ang relasyon namin, we are still family. Mahal ko pa din ang pinsan ko.

"She eventually confessed, and that was the reason I was worried about her because of her disease; I pitied her and felt guilty. She told me that the main reason she returned was to say goodbye to her friends and meet you for the last time."

I was sobbing uncontrollably, and my heart was heavy with regrets.

"She had only been off treatment for two years when she returned here, and she didn't want to go through chemotherapy or painful laboratory procedures because it would be a waste of time and make her suffer; she just wanted to be free of it."

Nanginig ang labi ko. "I was mean to her. I hated her thinking that there was really something going on between you two! Na akala ko talaga ay niloloko ninyo ako! How can I apologize to her now that she has left without being able to say goodbye? "

"When I was away in that two months in Batangas, it was true that I had a project there. Beach resort ng pamilya ni Cleo. " He looked at me. "However, I wasn't expecting her to be there as well, yet she was with our other friends. Nakita ko kung paano siya unti-unting sinasaktan at pinapahirapan ng sakit niya. Ginawa nila 'yon para sana ay kumbinsihin siya na magpagamot, but she didn't want to. She made up her mind and that she was ready to go. That was her fate. "

Malakas na napahikbi ako dahil sa narinig. Hindi ko lubos maisip na tinanggap niya na hanggang doon nalang siya. Dapat ay nagpagamot pa din siya. Sana ay inilaban niya.

He moved in closer and wiped the tears away from my eyes. "I was devastated at that time and told her about the situation. She took the chance to help me for your sake and to help me protect the family I had, Sam. Ngunit alam ko na natakot din siya... na masaktan ka niya pero pinili niya pa ding panindigan na tulungan ako. "

"Did you have any evidence against Cynthia? What happened to them? " I was hopeful.

He gently nodded. "I quickly gathered all of the evidence that I've obtained when the company was placed under my name, including the proof provided by your father, with the goal of holding them accountable for what they've done to you and your family. I filed a lawsuit against them."

"Y-you, succeeded?"

"Aaminin ko naging mahirap ang proseso dahil hindi inaasahan ni Cynthia na napaikot namin siya. Mas naging malakas ang mga ebidensiya ng itinuro siya ng lahat ng mga inutusan niya sa mga nangyari. She was found guilty, and so were her accomplices. Ria and the truck driver are currently serving their sentences in jail."

Napapikit ako matapos marinig iyon. Bigla akong nakahinga ng maluwag na para bang ang mabigat na matagal nang nakadantay sa dibdib ko ay nabawasan. For a moment, I felt free. I felt free because justice had been served for them. Maybe I can't bring back my family that has been long gone, but I was happy that justice had come forth until the very end.

I looked at the man standing in front of me. His face was the feature of his that I admired the most. His hazel-colored eyes who once looked at me with so much love, his pointed nose and his smile. Hindi ko napansin na nagsimula na mangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata at pagdaloy ng sakit sa aking dibdib kahit nakatunghay lang ako sa kaniya.