Love In A Cruel World

Chapter 16

For the nth time, I took a sip of the wine glass that I am holding. I immediately closed my eyes as I felt it through my throat. It is actually a rum but I put it on a wine glass, so they will think that I'm drinking a wine instead of rum.

I close my eyes more when I felt the cold breezy air na tumatama sa buong katawan ko. I put back my hands sa railings ng balcony kung nasaan ako at tumingala sa madilim na langit.

Tahimik ang buong paligid at tanging ang paghampas lang ng malamig na hangin sa mga puno rito sa mansion ang naririnig ko. Wala ring bituin ang madilim na langit at maging ang buwan ay tila nagtago rin.

Kung anong nararamdaman ko ngayon, hindi ko alam. I just have this feeling na gusto kong uminom pero hindi ako pwedeng lumabas, so I end up drinking here at the mansion balcony. I don't know why I'm drinking but I want to drink. Does that even make sense?

"That's not wine, is it?"

Mabilis akong napaharap sa nagsalita sa likod ko. I saw Dad standing behind me, at the door of the balcony while holding a glass, halos kamukha lang din iyon ng wine glass.

"Dad," I called him, trying to hide my nervousness.

I didn't know what to say dahil baka mapagalitan ako dahil wine lang naman ang naiinom ko palagi. All the nervousness within me faded away when he smiled and walked towards me to stand beside me as we both put our elbows on the railings.

He didn't say anything, and neither did I. Tahimik lang kami pareho habang nakatingin lang ako sa sariling inumin ko. I know Dad wants to say something dahil tuwing may sasabihin siya, it always takes time bago siya magsalita. He's a type of Dad na hindi showy and loves keeping secrets, yet he's loving and a thoughtful one.

"You were with Timothy?" I was stunned by Dad's question.

I knew he wanted to say something but I really didn't expect his question. I nearly forgot, one of Dad's characteristics is he's a direct to the point type of person.

I looked at him but when I saw him looking at me, I immediately turned my gaze away. Mukha akong batang papagalitan anytime. I remained silent and didn't utter anything.

"You are with him the whole day, right?" he asked once again and I can say that his voice is serious right now.

I gulped and slowly faced him. "Y-yes, Dad," I said in a low voice.

When he didn't said anything, I looked up at him and I saw him na nakatingin sa akin at para bang naghihintay ng kasunod na sasabihin ko. "I-It is all about the reflection, Dad." I forced myself to lie clearly, yet I didn't succeed.

"Hmm," Dad whispered and faced nowhere, na para bang hindi siya naniniwala sa sinabi ko.

"I'm confused. It is about reflection but why do you have to go to the police station?" Dad asked, which made my eyes almost widen but I managed not to make it obvious.

"Someone saw the both of you," he even added at sumandal pa sa railings ng balcony habang mariing nakatingin sa 'kin.

"S-Sorry, Dad." I started to shake as the nervousness inside me started to increase. I also felt a hot liquid starting to build at my eyes and I don't fucking know why!

"We are just thinking of asking for updates tungkol sa kaso ni Papa. And I-I don't know... I'm sorry I wasn't straight. Hindi ko naisip na it might cause trouble-" I started to panic. I don't care pero mukha akong batang pinapagalitan ng tatay niya and was asking for a forgiveness.

I felt Dad's hands on my shoulder next to my cheeks. Inayos pa niyang mabuti ang buhok ko na tumatabing sa mukha ko. "Hush, Angel. Why are you crying?" he then asked with his loving voice.