Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 26

I woke up to the sight of a white ceiling. My body feels numb and weak. Maraming paraphernalia na nakakabit sa akin. There's a nasal cannula attached to me to help me breathe. Beside my bed is a large oxygen tank that I haven't seen for years.

Umikot ang leeg ko sa paligid at napagtantong nasa kuwarto lang ako. I'm not in the hospital, but I'm sure a Doctor already came before I woke up. Dahan-dahan akong umupo sa kama, para pakiramdaman ang sarili.

I wonder how I ended up here in my room. I'm curious about what happened after I passed out. All I can remember are my last words of pleading, asking Dad to help me, call Mom or the Doctor.

Tears ended up on my cheeks, remembering that inside my head. I thought I would already die, I thought I won't wake up again.

Hindi ko maalala ang lahat ng nangyari, pero malinaw sa isip ko ang hitsura ni Daddy nang panoorin niya ako magmakaawa. I saw him with no mercy in his eyes.

Kaya gulong-gulo ang isip ko kung paano ako nauwi rito. Did he call Mom? The doctor? Naawa ba siya sa akin? But why? It was too evident on his face, he wanted me dead.

My breathing is already normal but I still feel weak. Inalis ko ang mga nakakabit sa katawan ko. I removed it gently, afraid that blood may show up somewhere.

Nang maalis ko ang lahat sa akin ay tumayo ako at bumaba sa kama. My feet has no strength, causing me to fall on bed. I regained myself and stood.

"Mom . . . " Lumabas ako ng kwarto para hanapin si Mommy.

Natanaw ko ang labas sa bintana at maliwanag ang paligid. I glanced at the wall clock. It's nine in the morning. So it might've happened yesterday and I slept for hours.

I felt a sudden thirst, but I have no one to call. I went downstairs to get myself a drink. Pabalik ako sa kuwarto nang matanaw na bukas ang office ni Daddy. I heard noises in there.

Mabagal ang pag-usad ko dahil sa panghihina. Nang madaanan ko ang malaking salamin sa living roon ay napuna ko ang hitsura. I'm pale, lips are dry like a desert. I look horrible, definitely a sick person.

I'm holding the glass of water in my left hand while my right holds on to every object around me for support as I approach the office. Bukas ang pintuan at nakaawang ito.

Dire diretso sana akong papasok nang biglang may mabasag sa loob. Napaatras ako nang kaunti, kabado at kunot ang noo.

"Fred, please let's calm down, you might wake her up," si Mom sa garalgal na boses.

"How can I calm down, Lalaine?" Galit ang tono ni Daddy.

I stayed still on my feet. Hindi ko pinasok ang kuwarto pero wala rin akong balak lumayo. I never heard them fight this loud. Kung meron man silang pinag-aawayan ay maliliit lang na bagay 'yon. Mostly, about me being spoiled.

"Why are you asking me to leave out of a sudden, Fred? We can't just leave."

My forehead creased after hearing Mom. Leave? Leave for what? We're leaving?

"I've waited enough, Lalaine! Didn't you promise to leave the country twenty years ago? Twenty years ago!" sigaw ni Dad.

I was able to have a peek inside. I can see them from where I am standing.

"Nakalimutan mo na ba ang pangako mo sa akin? Sa sobrang tagal?!" Halos duruin ni Daddy ang asawa.

Mom is crying. "No. I know what I promised and I'm sorry, but . . . but we can't just leave right now. We have a daughter."

Nakita kong humawak sa sentido ang lalaki. Paikot-ikot sa loob ng kuwarto bago itinaas ang hintuturo sa harap ng asawa.

"Your daughter," mariin niyang pagtatama, "Your ex's daughter! Bunga ng pagkakamali mo, ng pangangaliwa mo sa akin, ng pagtatraydor niyo sa akin ng kapatid ko!"