Damage On You (COMPLETED)

28: Ate Mariz

#DamageOnYouAteMariz

No one dared to speak any single word on the way home.

Papa successfully told Primo about how it started but failed to add the one where he was dragged out of his work and that's the exact moment his freedom was taken against his will as the bell already ringed. The visiting hours had to end but it's all right... as long as Primo's still shaking about the news... at least, it's all done now.

Para akong may malaking utang na despite of all the merits I have from having an old rich Mother, ngayon ko lang nakayanan mabayaran.

A little part of me is regretting that I let Papa looked back on about it but it's done. That's what's important tonight, Migs. He understands my laments now... he can breathe okay again.

Unfortunately, tulog na kaagad ang mga guard kaya no choice na kami na magpark mismo at maglakad na lang papasok sa loob. Some people wouldn't dare to walk around the UW this dark but living in here for almost three years, I don't care if a ghost will jump from a grass bed or from behind the buildings. I'm more afraid to the living, anyway.

Palms inside my pocket to warm myself, I glance at Primo who's still thinking out of this world. He seems okay and composed but his eyes says it all... I remember I had the same reaction before... Tulala, tuliro, hindi alam ang sasabihin o gagawin, at lalo na hindi kampante ang loob...

"It's outrageous but I'll be fine. We'll be fine." I'm quite not sure about that as long as Papa's behind those bars but if it's the only way to bring this kid from reverie, I just did.

Primo tilts his head, as if hearing me talked was an impossible thing I did.

"What's important is that... if I graduate and pass the Board Exam... lalaya rin si Papa kaya... stop fretting or whatever, okay?" I pull him closer. My insides felt the shivers rolled down in his. "It's the promise they left for me... Nakakatawa nga na... Ang daming paraan para i-blackmail ako at hindi magaya sa iba na hindi nakapagtapos, they had to use Papa pa."

"I'm... s-sorry you two had to go through that."

"My answer remains the same—you have nothing to be sorry about." ngiti ko. "That's life; as much as we wanted to touch or find where the end of the rainbow is, we really can't have everything we want."

Primo proceed on asking about the conditions kaya sinabi ko na lang. The silence is deafening at masyado pa kaming malayo dahil iba ang travel time kapag may kotse o maglalakad lang pabalik sa dorm.

"Did you... hate Logan more after... that?"

"Hate is such a strong word but maybe yes. Remember what I told you before? Noong nagsisimula na mag-away sina Papa at Mother, Logan blamed me all for it kaya sobra na iyong kinimkim ko na galit pero... lumaki lang noong nangyari iyon. Nothing new."

"Bakit hindi mo trinato si Zein kagaya kung paano ka trinato ni Logan?"

"I know how it feels to be neglected and blamed for and it's the most dehumanizing feeling any kid can feel in this world. It's true na kahit kaunti, nagalit ako kay Tito Max dahil sa pagpasok niya sa buhay namin but... Zein is too precious to receive the same treatment."

Gusto ko pa sana idagdag na dahil babae iyon at ayokong mawala ang tiwala niya sa mga kagaya namin na lalaki at the young age pero huwag na lang.

"But did Zein and Tito have a nice relationship before it all happened? Like... may ilangan or what?"

"Only a fool will believe what rubbish Logan had said all this time, Primo. If Papa didn't look for any replacement to Mother, how can he possibly molested a minor girl? Much more my own sister?"