Bruise and Butterflies (Universidad de Cebu Series 2)

PROLOGO

"Mom, please stop!" she shouted at the top of her lungs as she felt her throat dried gradually.

Pilit niyang hinahablot ang sariling kamay mula sa mahigpit na pagkahawak ng ina habang hila-hila siya pababa sa naka-carpet na hagdanan.

Lukewarm tears raced down to her cheeks unstoppably. Dahil kagagaling niya lang sa pagsusuka, randam niya ang matinding panghihina ng katawan.

"Mom, please. Tigilan mo ito..."

She couldn't even shout any longer. All she could do is to whisper helplessly.

Ngunit kahit ganoon ay pilit niyang nilalabanan ang mga bisig ng kanyang ina hanggang sa marating nila ang sala.

Naguguluhang nagsi-tinginan ang mga kasambahay dahil sa kanyang pag-iyak ngunit agaran ring nagsi-iwasan ng tingin.

"What's happening?"

Her heart lifted a bit nang marinig ang boses ng ama. Kakapasok lamang nito at nagtataka rin sa nangyayari.

"Dad.."

"THAT BOY RAPED ELI!"

Several gasps overwhelmed the wide living room. She shooked her head vehemently.

No.

Mas lalo siyang napa-iyak. She could feel her lips trembling for sobbing so hard.

When she drifted her bloodshot eyes towards her father, her sanity shattered upon seeing its furious and vengeful eyes.

Mabilis nitong iminuwestra ang sasakyan. Muli ay hinila siya ng kanyang ina, dahil sa pag-iyak ay nawalan na sya ng lakas na magpumiglas.

She badly wants to correct everything. Hindi iyon ang nangyari ngunit hindi niya magawa.

"Hello, Chief. I need your help..."

Mas lalo lamang siyang naiyak. Her father is calling the police.

'Do something, do something.'

Ngunit kahit anong pilit nya sa kanyang sarili ay ayaw bumukas ng kanyang bibig. All she does is shed tears in great horror.

Her eyes dilated nang huminto na ang kanilang sinasakyan.

Unang lumabas ang kanyang mga magulang.

She stayed at the car, silently wishing that everything were just a dream.

Sa tinted na bintana ng sasakyan ay nakita niyang may mga police at isa-isa na ring nagsilabasan ang mga tao sa naturang bahay.

Her eyes automatically watered again when her gaze drifted at those supposed to be gentle and wholehearted eyes, now turned into an orbs filled with coldness and exhaustion.

She flinched breathlessly when the door that hides her awful scheming opened. With jellied knees, mabagal siyang lumabas mula sa sasakyan.

"Arrest him."

Mabilis syang napatingin sa kanyang ina.

"Mom, please.."

"Bago kayo magdesisyon na ipahuli ang aking anak. Why don't we ask first your daughter kung ano ang buong katotohanan".

She curled her fist nervously after hearing those words. Her knees trembled the way her lips shaken as she began weeping.

Alam niya sa sarili na gusto niyang gawing klaro ang lahat but.... she just couldn't.

Her eyes met his.

Napapikit sya ng mariin. Hindi niya magawang tumingin ng diretso sa mga mata nito.

His eyes were filled with submission, as if he have long accepted such to happen. But beneath those submission lies an unquenchable bruises of pain and... it was softly killing her.

"Arrest him."

With both eyes, she witnessed those shackles of suffering cuffed him.

Bago ito tuluyang mawala sa kanyang paningin ay ngumiti ito. A one aching, gentle smile and mouthed those sacred words that set her knees unto the cold, rough ground.

'I love you.'

Tuluyan na syang napahagulhol. She cried like a baby without minding the eyes around her.

All she knew, she have committed a crime. A crime that would forever be tattooed on her heart.

'I'm sorry, my love.' She anguished.