Cruel Summer

Final Chapter

---Bryson's POV----

"Hinding hindi ako sasama sa isang katulad mo!" my voice thundered while talking to my father. He punched me in the face, and his reaction was full of anger.

"Para ito sa kinabukasan mo, anak!" he shouted. "Magk-kolehiyo ka na, ganyan pa rin ang turing mo sa ama mo."

I gave him a disgusting look while glaring at him. After all I've seen before, I didn't acknowledged him as my father anymore. And I will never acknowledge him. After what he has done to my mother.

"Ama?" I sarcastically said. I laughed hysterically. "Kailan ka pa naging ama sa'kin?"

"Bryson!"  A voice echoed from afar. Mas mabilis akong tumakbo dahil alam kong service ko ang tumatawag sa akin. Dali-dali akong tumakbo palayo dahil ayoko pang umuwi.

I decided to go to the mall to check some new released toys that I've been wanting to buy for myself. I was walking along the sidewalk when I suddenly saw a familiar man eating at a restaurant. I narrowed my eyes so I'll be able to see if I'm right.

It was Papa with his boss, Teresa Linden. My eyebrows furrowed as I was watching them. They were kissing and laughing with each other. Things that couples do. Is it even right?

That's when I realized, Papa cheated on Mama. I clenched my hands and jaw, but I couldn't do anything because I was just a kid. Walang kaalam alam sa mundo.

Natauhan ako nang bigla akong nasagi ng isang dumaan doon, dahilan para madapa ako. Nagtamo ng kaunting sugat sa tuhod ko, pero ayos lang. Mabilis akong naglakad palayo at napagdesisyunang umuwi kay Mama.

Pagkarating na pagkarating ko sa bahay ay kaagad akong niyakap ni Mama, at kitang kita ko ang lubos na pag-aalala sa kaniyang aksyon at reaksyon. She's teary-eyed.

"Anak! Saan ka ba galing? Kanina pa kitang hinahanap, tumakas ka raw sa service mo,"  nag-aalalang sabi ni Mama. "Ano? Nasaktan ka ba? Bakit may sugat ka sa tuhod? Halika, gagamutin natin!"

I was just staring at her, and I couldn't almost hear what she's saying because I was busy looking at her. She seems hurt. I don't know if she knew this, but I just don't want my Mom to be hurt, of all people.

One time, I saw Papa with Teresa again. Papa was so drunk while kissing Teresa, and she got startled when she saw me watching them. Doon na nabuo ang galit ko dahil gabi-gabi ay nakikita kong umiiyak si Mama samantalang siya ay sobrang saya sa iba. Nanlaki din ang mga mata niya nang makita ako.

"Bryson!" sigaw niya. Hinabol niya ako at mahigpit na hinawakan ang braso ko. Nanatiling blanko ang reaksyon ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "Don't tell your Mom about this, okay?"

"Hindi ko na kayo kilala," iyon ang tangi kong nasabi. Unti-unting kumalas ang hawak niya sa akin, at umalis na ako roon. Tears started to form in my eyes because I've thought of Mama. I never wanted her to witness Papa's infidelity.

Lumipas ang mga buwan, unti-unti kong nakikita na nanghihina na si Mama. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. She's coughing so bad, and I've been trying to reach Papa but I couldn't get a hold of him. He won't answer the phone.

"Dito lang po kayo, Mama!" sabi ko habang hingal na hingal. "Pupunta ako sa labas at magtatawag ng taxi para makapunta agad tayo sa ospital."

She grabbed my hand to stop me, and I turned to her. She's in deep pain, but she tried her best to smile. Tears started to fall from her eyes while looking at me. Namuo na rin ang luha sa aking mga mata habang pinagmamasdan ang ina.