Chasing Daylight (On-hold)

Chapter 11

Chase's POV

Pumasok kami sa loob ng bahay ni Rhian at dito umupo. I didn't have the courage to speak about what happened so I let her say it all out.

“I lied,” she first spoke.

“I don't have a brother or anyone rather than the man and woman who adopted me. They were the ones who keep calling me to run some errands for them. I'm like a slave. If I make them mad they'll let me sleep outside or beat me up.”

“I... I'm trying to be as cheerful as possible, but inside I've been in complete misery,” she smiled with tears in her eyes.

Inabutan ko s'ya ng panyo. Nanginginig n'ya itong kinuha. I never thought I'll see her like this, she looks so vulnerable.

“I don't know what they are, but they're a completely different level. More stronger than me. Hindi ko kaya tumakas, wala ding mangyayare,” medyo humina ang boses n'ya sa huling salita.

“All my life, I knew that I was never loved.” Habang pinapakinggan ang mga sinasabi n'ya ay muling kumirot ang puso ko.

Tinikom ko muna ang bibig ko at pinatapos s'ya. Ayokong biglang kumilos dahil sa galit na nararamdaman ko sa mga umampon kay Vivian. 

“About the exam, it's my fault, my body was in pain. I didn't get to concentrate. It was so hard hiding it,” dahan dahan n'yang tinaas ang laylayan ng blouse n'ya. Don namin nakita ang mga sugat n'ya sa tyan at likod, mas malala pala ito sa inaasahan namin.

Agad kumuha ng first aid kit si Rhian. Ayaw pa sana ni Vivian pero pinilit namin na ayusin ang paggamot sakanya. Why are they doing this to her?! If they don't like her they could just send her back. I know I would never meet Vivian if that happen, but at least she'll be fine. 

“Pasensya na kayo sa itsura ko,” paumanhin n'ya.

“Don't say that, mas inaalala namin ang kalagayan mo,” seryosong sabi ko.

“You should rest,” sabat ni Rhian matapos takpan ang mga sugat n'ya.

Vivian tried not to make any sound while Rhian was applying ointment on her wounds. She's really used at hiding her pain.

“Then I need to go home,” I stopped her when she was about to stand.

“You can stay here, Rhian won't mind,” I said. Rhian nodded, sign that she agreed.

“I can't. Malalaman nila na nandito ako at hindi tumuloy sa school, baka akalain nilang tinatago n'yo ako. Ayoko madamay kayo,” alala n'yang sabi.

Malalaman? Did they also put a tracking device on her?

“One of them has a power to locate people, I've been marked by my mother so she will know where to find me if I ever run away,” she hopelessly said.

Ganon pala. So kahit itago namin s'ya ngayon ay pupuntahan lang din s'ya dito.

“Kami na bahala don—” pinutol ni Vivian sa pagsasalita si Rhian.

“I'll be fine, pag-alam nilang may sakit ako at hindi na makatayo iiwan lang nila akong mag-isa sa kwarto ko,” she said that like it was the best thing they've done for her.

“Umalis na din kayo, kailangan n'yo pa pumasok,” sabi n'ya nang makalabas sa bahay ni Rhian.

Ayaw n'ya talagang manatili dito at magpahinga. Hindi namin s'ya magawang pigilan. At hindi ko din alam kung may gana akong pumasok ngayon.

“Come on guys, smile for me,” Vivian said then smiled widely.

We didn't smile, we just looked at her. I can't believe she's still smiling after all she's been through.