Behind Closed Doors (COMPLETED)

Two

#BCD02 Chapter Two

"YOU ARE NOT going to hide that kind of incident from us, Artemis Nickee," pagalit na wika ng kaniyang Momma Armee habang nakatayo ito sa kaniyang harapan. "Allow me to talk to the president about this. Hindi puwedeng palalampasin na lang natin 'to!"

"Ma, please..." she pleaded. "Let's not just make this a big deal —"

"Can you hear yourself, young lady? This is a big deal! They are sexually harassing you, Artemis. Paanong hindi pa ito big deal sa 'yo?"

Napayuko si Artemis at hindi na sumagot nang makitang tumayo na rin ang ama sa kaniyang tapat. Alam naman niyang kakampihan nito ang kaniyang Momma, kaya hindi na siya nagtangka pang magbigay ng rason.

Umuwi sila ng kambal sa kanilang bahay kasama si Nova matapos ang insidente sa plaza. The three of them were stressed out that they even don't have the chance to calm themselves before her parents came home. Wala na sana siyang balak pang magsumbong sa mga magulang kaso naunahan na siya ng kambal dahil sa galit nito.

It's getting dark and Nova was already fetched by her driver. Si Justice naman ay bumalik pa sa university para magsumbong tungkol sa nangyari na sinuportahan naman ng coach nila kaya agad itong umabot sa kaniyang mga magulang.

She hated it when everytime na uuwi ang parents nila ni Apollo galing sa trabaho ay pasasakitin pa nila ang ulo ng mga ito. She just wanted them to sit down the couch, leave the rest of the chores to them, and just surprise them with her home baked cake. Hindi iyong problema ang sinasalubong nila sa mga ito.

"You have to listen to your Mom, Artemis," ani ng kaniyang ama sa mas kalmadong boses. "This is your safety we are talking about."

"Let's kick out every student na nambastos sa 'yo!" her Momma. "I won't let any unmannered children study in our university!"

"Ma... Kung gagawin mo 'yan, mawawalan tayo ng estudyante," Apollo said.

Their mom gasped and looked at her twin brother. "Gaano karami, Apple?"

"Almost everyone," Apollo replied while clenching his jaw. "Those bastards... Akala nila hindi ko alam. Nahuli ko lang sa akto kanina kaya kanina lang namin nabigyan ng aksyon."

Natampal ng kaniyang ina ang noo. Her mom started to walk from side to side while her father tried to calm her down.

"Even the girls are pestering her. Gustong-gusto nilang ginugulo si ate. Ang pa-plastik!" patuloy na sumbong ng kambal.

"Apple!" she hissed. "That's enough. Huwag mo nang palakihin pa 'to."

"Bakit mo ba sila pinagtatakpan? Hindi mo naman talaga sila kaibigan."

"Alam ko! Wala akong totoong kaibigan sa school bukod kila Justice at Nova. Alam ko 'yon, Apple. Alam kong kinakausap lang nila ako dahil sa 'yo. Alam kong pinipilit lang nilang kaibiganin ako dahil sa 'yo. They didn't see me as me, Apollo. And I know that. They just see me as a bridge to get close to you."

Pareho silang natahimik ng kapatid matapos niyang sumabog. Naglaban ang kanilang mga titig at walang gustong sumuko. She was hurt by the fact that no one wanted to get close to her without any motive. Ramdam naman niya 'yon. Alam niyang walang may gusto sa kaniya. Alam niyang kilala lang siya ng mga tao sa school dahil sa kakambal niya.

And it fucking hurts. Just being used by people to get what they really wanted.

"I-I'm sorry..." bulong ni Apollo matapos ang ilang segundo. "I didn't know that I'm the reason."