Ravaged (CHURCH SIBLINGS 3)

CHAPTER 45

It's like I am watching a sad movie right in front of my eyes. Nagpapaalam na ang lahat sa isa't isa na parang huling araw na naming lahat.

Mom and dad has been talking for hours inside the room. Elias and Ate Shas is also inside their room doing only god knows what.

Apat lang naman kaming kasama ng mga tauhan sa pagpasok sa mismong kuta ng sindikato. Me, Dad, Uncle Izrael and Elias.

Elias will be with dad and I'll be on the second team with Uncle Izrael. Nagdududa nga ako na pinili ako ni Uncle Izrael na kasama, baka mamaya niyan barilin niya ako sa likuran at palabasin na nadali ako ng kalaban.

Uncle Desmond will be with the rescue team— and Uncle Seb will be with Apollo and Liam in Bucharest.

Uncle Rey choose to stay back. Utos ni Uncle Izrael. Narinig ko ang usapan nila na dapat may matira sa kanila para maiwan sa pamilya nila. Uncle Izrael thinks that it should be Uncle Reynald.

Together with Adi in mom's Island is his family, mom, ate Shas and the Enriquez; Tita Irene, ate Tabitha and Tali. Gusto kong ipilit na isama nila si Cayenne at Stefano pero nakapagdesisyon si Cayenne na ayaw niya.

The Gokongwei's will stay here in Baguio. Uncle Rey's family control the politics and authority here so they're confident with their safety.

Uncle Des' family fly to Arizona. It's the best choice for them.

Adi's in-law went for a vacation in Davao. No one can touch them there. Kahit sabihin na hindi sila sumali ay ayaw rin makampante ni Adi. He convince them to have a break away from Manila first.

Nauna na ang mga tauhan sa Dinagat. Bago kami umalis ay pumuslit ako sa kwarto kung saan si Cayenne at Stefano. Stefano is in the bed taking a nap while his mom sits on the edge looking at the floor— she's worried, she doesn't want me to go. Kinumbinsi na naman niya ako kanina pero hindi talaga pwede.

I squatted in front of her. Hinawakan ko ang mukha niya at inangat. "Aalis na kami."

"Uuwi ka?"

I can't promise that big but I nodded. Pinagdikit ko ang noo naming dalawa. Her tears immediately fell down and mine also wanted to pero kailangan kong maging matapang para sa amin..

"Buhay kang uuwi, Abraham."

"Buhay akong uuwi."

"No bullet holes."

"No bullet holes."

Yumakap siya sa akin. Lahat ng bigat niya binigay niya sa akin dahilan para mapaupo ako habang siya nakaluhod at yakap pa rin sa akin.

"Stop crying. Magigising si Stefano."

Napasinghot siya. She made me talk to our son and explain to him kanina. I tried my best to tell Stefano I need to do something to make sure him and his mom are safe— he doesn't understand clearly, he asked me if I'll be gone for another long time. Wala rin akong masagot sa bata kaya umiyak siya hanggang sa makatulog.

"Babalik ka talaga?"

"I will try."

Humikbi siya ng mahina. Ayaw na talaga akong bitiwan. I gave her time until she's ready. Nang mahimasmasan siya ay itinayo ko na siya at pinaupo pabalik sa gilid ng kama.

"I'll give you something—" dinukot ko ang singsing ni mommy mula sa bulsa ko. I show it to her. "I'm not asking you to marry me because I know for sure you don't want to. Binibigay ko lang sa 'yo to show you that you are a Church too— you have the privilege that I had. Use whatever I left you and Stefano. Lahat ng properties ko alam ni Adi, he will give it to you if I will not make it home. You can sell everything but don't sell our apartment. We have lots of memories there."