#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 24

Nagpatuloy lang ang katok sa aking pintuan at nanatili naman ako sa may gilid habang dumudugo pa rin ang sugat na ginawa ko. I can hear them calling my name while trying to open the door. It goes for a long time, I looked at the door when I heard a clicking sound... that means that they succeeded on opening the door.

Juliana barged in and her gaze immediately landed on me. Her eyes widened upon seeing the blood in my hand. Kasunod niya ay pumasok si Tita Ina... kasama si Daddy. Nakita ko pang may hawak siyang susi na ginamit nila upang mabuksan ang kwarto ko.

"What did you do, Khaisia?!" Tita Ina asked in a loud voice while looking at me with wide eyes.

"Did you just cut yourself? Are you crazy?!" he yelled at me. Napapikit ako dahil doon habang hawak pa rin ang kamay ko na may sugat. "Don't tell me that you're sick?! You're going crazy! Ayusin mo nga ang sarili mo!"

"Oh, my gosh, Khaisia! Tumayo ka na riyan, please. Gagamutin natin 'yung sugat mo," Juliana said and knelt in front of me because I'm sitting. Hinawakan niya ako pero tinabig ko ang kamay niya. Kaagad siyang nilapitan ni Tita Ina at pinatayo bago ako galit na tinignan.

"Don't treat my daughter like that! Ang kapal naman talaga niyang mukha mo, 'no? Wala kang utang na loob kahit kailan! Ano'ng gusto mong mangyari, ha?!" galit na sigaw nito sa 'kin. "Fred, do something! That girl is crazy!"

"Stand up and clean your wound, Khaisia. Pagkatapos ay lumabas ka riyan para makapag-usap tayo," kalmadong sabi naman ni Daddy sa 'kin pero halata sa mga mata niya na nagpipigil lang siya. He turned his back at me and was about to exit my room when I answered.

"There's nothing more to talk about." I answered with a cold tone, not looking at him and just staring at the blood on the floor. "I already know the truth... Ano pa ang pag-uusapan natin?" tanong ko pa at pinilit na tumayo.

"Bastos kang bata ka!" galit na sigaw ni Tita Ina at umastang lalapit sa akin para sampalin ako nang pigilan siya ni Daddy. Nagtataka itong lumingon sa kanya pero hindi naman nagsalita ang isa at lumapit na lang sa 'kin. "Hindi mo ba siya narinig?! She's rude and ungrateful!"

"Can you hear yourself?" tanong niya sa 'kin. This time, I slowly looked up to meet his eyes. They were dark... and anger is evident in them.

"Clearly." I answered firmly.

Napapikit ako nang dumapo ang palad niya sa pisngi ko. Napahawak ako roon bago tumingin ulit sa kanya. Galit na galit ang mata niya... And if his looks can kill, I'm probably dead right now.

"Kung alam ko lang na wala akong mapapala sa 'yo, sana ay noong namatay si Erah... pinalayas na kita at hinayaan na lang na magutom sa daan." sabi nito sa akin. "Hindi na sana kita hinayaan na manatili rito."

"What did I tell you, Fred?! Wala kang makukuha sa babaeng 'yan dahil wala 'yang utang na loob." sabat naman ni Tita Ina at dinuro pa ako. "Wala kang kwenta!"

"Shut up!" I yelled at her.

My face welcomed a slap again, and it was from the same person. Hindi ko ininda ang sakit no'n dahil mas masakit ang sugat sa kamay ko. I looked at him again, his face was so red. Halatang galit na galit na siya sa 'kin.