Corrupting His Innocence (Innocence Series #1)

Chapter 23

23

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko napapayag si Azarel na iuwi ako sa townhouse nang wala akong binabanggit sa kanya. He even told his parents that I had an emergency at home, which is why we needed to leave early.

Hindi pa kami nakakain. Hindi pa nga nagstart iyong celebration nila dahil kadarating lang nila Alauna. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't pretend that I'm okay because, clearly, I'm not.

One thing is for sure, I don't want to see his Dad's face ever again. He's a nightmare to me. But fuck... how could that even be possible? When Azarel resembles all his father's features. Tang ina.

Even though we had already left the venue, nanginginig pa rin talaga ako sa takot. And I know, right now, I'm still not in my right mind.

"Baby," Azarel held my trembling hands. He looked so worried. "When you're ready, please tell me what's wrong..."

Kinagat ko ang ibabang parte ng labi ko. No. I'm not ready to tell him yet.

Natatakot ako... na baka hindi niya naman ako paniwalaan.

Natatakot ako... na baka tama nga si Aster, na dahil sa'kin, napapalayo na siya sa sarili niyang pamilya.

I sighed frustratingly and just nodded at him. Kita ko rin ang malalim niyang pagbuntong-hininga at ang paghigpit lalo ng hawak niya sa kamay ko.

"I love you," he said tenderly, and it felt like another wave of tears was threatening to fall from my eyes. "You know that, right?"

Muli akong tumango sa kanya habang pinipigilan ang mga hikbi ko. Gusto kong sumagot. Gustong-gusto ko. Pero pakiramdam ko, mas lalo lang akong hahagulgol ng iyak kapag nagpakuwala pa ng mga salita mula sa bibig ko.

I know my voice will crack the moment I speak. I know it will just make him more worried.

Kaya sa huli, hanggang sa makarating kami sa townhouse, pinili ko na lamang ang manahimik. I was immediately welcomed by my friends who happened to be on our porch. They seemed clueless about what had happened and why my eyes were suddenly swollen and puffy.

Azarel, the moment my friends came running after me, came near my ear to halfheartedly bid his goodbye. He still needed to get back to the party, as he had promised Alauna.

"I'll get back to you, Juliet..." he whispered in my ear before finally letting me go.

Bakas na bakas ang lungkot sa kanyang boses at sa kanyang mga mata. My heart ached even more because negative thoughts kept passing through my mind. 'Di ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa aming dalawa kapag nagpatuloy pa ang kagaguhan ng tatay niya.

Iiwas na lang ba ako?

Pero... hanggang kailan?

Fuck.

"Juliet, tahan na..." alo ni Ishmael habang patuloy akong umiiyak sa kanila dito sa sala namin. Nakaupo ako sa lapag at ganoon din silang apat.

"Ano ba talagang nangyari, mods?" alalang tanong ni Clai. "Minaltrato ka ba ng pamilya ng boyfriend mo?"

"I..." tang ina. Ba't ba ang hirap sabihin nang hindi ako pinapangunahan ng iyak? "Damn it... I-I don't know where to fucking start..."

Sinabutan ko ang sarili ko pero agad akong pinigilan ni Mags. "Huminahon ka muna, gago. Tamo 'yung mga mata mo oh. Para kang nakipagsuntukan kay Pacquiao!"

Humikbi lang ako. I was trying to contain myself. Pero ang hirap pa lang sabihin ang isang bagay na hindi mo rin tanggap sa sarili mo na posible pa lang mangyari.