Behind The Pain (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 23

BTP KABANATA 23

"Will Cloud be okay?" I asked Satan.

Even if I genuinely wanted to tell Cloud what his Dad did to Mina, I was still anxious about his reaction. It would be so hard on his part. Mina got hurt so bad, and I can't imagine how much pain Cloud felt when he found out that the man he looked up to the most did that.

Mahirap pero sana kayanin niya.

Sana kayanin nilang dalawa.

"He's not okay, but he will be. He'll do the right thing. I know he will," Satan said. His voice was full of hope.

It had been a week since Mina told us what happened to her. Isang linggo na rin ako natutulala na lang bigla. The first few days were hell because I was really bothered, but I couldn't tell Satan. I don't want to gossip it around, but it turned out Cloud already told Satan.

Cloud knew that Mina got raped, but he didn't know it was his father who did that. Kanina lang niya nalaman at sobrang umiyak siya. Even Tita Fely cried rivers. They were both so devastated that they ran away. Mina was so guilty, so she went home alone.

"Stop worrying too much, Vera," he reprimanded me. "Isang linggo na kitang nakikita na laging tulala. I'm worried of you, so please loosen up a bit," he pleaded, making me sigh.

"How could I loosen up when Cloud's dad is not yet behind bars, and Mina's trauma came back?" I asked him even if I knew he also didn't know the answer.

Hindi ko man sabihin pero alam ko na natatakot din ako. Is there a possibility that I will experience that too?

"God, I think you're traumatized too," he said. His voice was full of worry. "Hey, nothing's going to happen to you, okay? As long as I'm here, you'll be fine." He cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead.

Takot ako para sa sarili ko, pero mas takot ako para kay Mina. There's no room from fear right now.

"I need to be strong for Mina and Cloud," I said in determination.

"Be strong for yourself. Kaya nilang dalawa ang sarili niya. I'm not saying that don't worry about Mina and Cloud, but think about yourself too. Paano mo sila alagaan kung pati ikaw pagod, 'di ba?"

Tumango ako. He's right. Kapag bumigay ang katawan ko mas lalo akong walang magagawa.

I deeply breathed. "You're right. I need to loosen up. I can't afford to have another problem right now. I might fail my classes."

Simula kasi nung nagkasagutan sina Cloud and Mina madalas na tulala si Cloud. I had to double my effort because I'm helping him keep up too.

Just when I was about to watch a movie with Satan, I received a message. My forehead automatically creased upon seeing the number. It was from an unknown sender.

From: Unknown
This is Nate's Mom. Let's meet today. I'm here at the coffee shop outside your condo.

I hissed. Sana naman hindi sumabay Mommy niya sa mga problema ko kasi baka gawin ko 'yung advice nina Kev sa akin. Ayokong maging walang galang. My parents didn't raise me to disrespect the people around me.

I looked intently at Satan who is in the kitchen, wearing an apron. He wanted to cook for us. Manonood daw siya ng tutorial sa youtube pero mukhang aabutin siya ng isang araw bago matapos ang niluluto niya.

He seems really clueless...

God, how can I live without him now? He makes me calm the most.

"Satan, I need to go somewhere lang ah," I shouted, walking towards the door. Hindi ko na siya nilingnan. I don't want him to see my anxious face because he'll surely be so worried.