Moonage Daydream (Ciudad de Escalante #4)

Phase 37

"Honey, your makeup artists are already here. It's your graduation today. Please, come out to your room. You're locking yourself for a week now," nag-aalalang sabi ni Mommy sa labas ng kwarto ko.

Like what I'm doing for the past days, I ignored her and everyone in this house. I don't know how the hell I survive for isolating myself. I'm not even eating properly. Maging ang pagtulog sa gabi ay hirap ako sa tuwing nakikita ang mga tao rito sa bahay.

Everything is true.

My Daddy paid Steffan's parents as a cover up from what my brother did to him. Pinagtakpan nila lahat gamit ng pera at itinago sa akin sa loob ng ilang taon. Even the suicide issue, Kuya Zelan is involved because he slept with that girl.

Hindi ko alam kung totoo pa ba na nabuntis niya at ayaw panagutan kaya nagpakamatay! That's what I heard from the guy whole blamed my brother when they arrested him with Steffan, Roscoe and the other guy. Hindi muli nasali ang pangalan ng pamilya namin dahil niresolbang muli gamit ng lecheng pera!

Everyone in this house knew everything except me.

Maging si Kuya Sancho ay pinaalis nila sa trabaho nang malaman ang nangyari sa akin. I told them not to fire him because being my driver is the only source of money but they still did! They were so cruel.

I felt betrayed, ashamed, guilty, and disappointed. How can they hide such things like that and resolve everything with money? I can't believe that my Dad, whom I looked up to the most, will use the money to get away from everything.

And my eldest brother? I don't know him at all! I thought he was the nicest.

I hate everyone — including myself!

"Baby, please. Open this door. It's your graduation day. Your dress is waiting for you. We chose this design together. It's so pretty. You're excited to wear this, right?" malambing na saad ni Kuya Zeren ngunit nanatili akong nakadapa sa kama.

Kahit anong sabihin nila, hindi ako pupunta! I don't care if I'll miss the chance to attend the ceremony. How could I go there if I knew Zachariel would not have his graduation march because of me?! He cannot walk on stage to receive his diploma. Baka nga... hindi na siya makapaglaro ulit!

It's all my fault.

Everything is my fault.

I already ruined Steffan's life. Then, Zachariel's limbs are in critical condition until now! Maging ang paglakad ko o maging ang simpleng pagtayo gamit ng mga paa, binabalutan ako ng konsensya.

"Hayaan na muna natin siya, Mom. Azariah needs time," dinig kong sabi muli ni Kuya Zeren. Kuya Zelan and Daddy were also with them outside my room.

Mom convinced me again to come out already to attend my graduation but I refused. Hanggang sa mapagod ang lahat na kumbinsihin ako na dumalo na ng graduation, hindi pa rin ako lumabas ng kwarto. Nag-iwan na lamang si Kuya Zeren ng pagkain sa tapat ng pintuan ko.

Kinabukasan, boses ni Sameera ang naririnig ko sa labas at kaaway niya si Kuya Zeren. I can hear Hadassah and Callistemon's voice too to stop them for aguing.

"Can you please stop tolerating her?! It's been more than a week since she locked herself in that damn room and making everyone worried!" sigaw niya kaya napaupo ako sa kama.

"We are not tolerating her! She needs time. We kept something from her so she's mad. Mawawala rin basta hayaan nalang muna natin ngayon," dinig kong giit ni Kuya ngunit hindi iyon pinakinggan ni Eera.

What is she doing here?

"Hey, Azariah! Pwede bang lumabas ka na at huwag ka ng magdrama ng ganito?! We should be celebrating now for Tita Eireen's successful birth to Sheldon, but instead, we are all worried sick about you! It's not funny anymore! Stop being childish!" she shouted once again.