These Wrecked Hearts- (Published Under IMMAC)

Kabanata 15 - Bad News

KHIANA's POV

I AWOKE TO THE SENSATION OF RYKER'S ARMS being wrapped around me, as well as the sense of the warm rays of sunshine that were coming in through the window. The events of the previous evening had been amazing, and as I grew closer to him in my sleep, I couldn't help but smile. Hindi ko alam kung may makakapantay ba sa nag

My joy, however, did not last for very long...

The sudden ringing of my phone jarred me out of my state of pleasure. I stifled a moan since I didn't want to answer the question and spoil the mood. But I couldn't ignore the voice in my head telling me to look into it. Agad ng tiningnan ko ang caller ID, it was Eliz.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Eliz is my close friend kaya alam ko na hindi 'to morning person. Bakit niya ako tatawagan ng ganito ka aga?For some reason, I felt nervous. I even hesitated to took the call. Before giving a response, there was a little pause during which my heart pounded rapidly in my chest.

"Hello?" I spoke out, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper.

"Khiana, it's Eliz. I'm sorry, napatawag lang ako nang maaga dahil may balita ako sa 'yo." I could tell by the gravity in her tone that I already knew what she was about to say before she even said it... it was a bad news. "Dapat kagabi pa nga sana e, pero hindi ka naman ma-contact. Tapos inaasikaso ko pa ang parents mo—"

"Huh, why?" takang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Something happened."

Tumayo ako at pumunta sa balcony para hindi magising si Ryker. Kahit nanginginig na ang mga paa ko sa kaba at nanghihina na ako ngayon. I did my best to reach the balcony so I could speak better with Eliz.

"W-What is it? What happened to my parents?" My voice was shaking as I asked the question.

Narinig ko ang malalim na buntonghininga ni Eliz mula sa kabilang linya. "llang beses ka na din sinubukan na tawagan ng mga pulis pero mukhang hindi ka nila nakausap kaya nagpunta na lang sila dito sa work at hinahanap ka. Ang kaso nga nasa bakasyon ka.  Pinatawag ako ng head para ako na ang kumausap sa mga pulis at do'n ko na nalaman 'yong nangyari," pagsasalaysay ni Eliz.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. "Police? Bakit may police?"

"They are in jail this time..."

Fuck! Alam ko naman na marami silang mga kalokohan na ginagawa. Pero ano naman ito ngayon. "B-Bakit daw?"

"The problem is with your parents. They have been detained on charges related to the distribution of drugs. Iyon ang sabi nila sa akin. Kaya umuwi ka na, Khiana. Your parents need you..."

When I heard those words, my whole world came crumbling down. My parents were drug dealers? Seryoso? Drugs talaga? Hindi ko alam na aabot sila sa ganito! That couldn't possibly be right! After some time had passed, though, I was able to see that it was reasonable. Even though they had a history of engaging in questionable business practices, I never imagined that it would come to this.

Ano bang problema nila? Umabot pa talaga sila sa droga? I can't believe them!

I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes, and I had no control over the cries that were coming out of my mouth. Nang biglang makita ko na gumalaw si Ryker mula sa higaan, I cut the conversation short since I didn't want him to be aware of the situation. Hindi siya dapat madawit pa sa gulo ko at ng pamilya ko. Labas na siya doon.

My legs were shaking as I made my way to the restroom. I hoped that if I sprayed cold water on my face, it might help me to calm down. However, the truth of the situation struck me like a ton of bricks, and I found that I was unable to control my tears.

"Fuck... Fuck!" I cried but was still trying to hold back my voice.

I was aware that it was time for me to depart and go back to Manila to be with my family there. After spending such an incredible evening with Ryker, I didn't want to part ways with him at all. But I also couldn't bring myself to tell him the news because I couldn't stand the look of sadness and pity on his face.

Ayoko na rin na i-drag pa siya sa problema ko sa pamilya. Kung ano man ang problema ko, akin lang 'yon at hindi siya pwedeng madamay. So I just got up and went without saying anything, my heart heavy with both grief and anxiety. I don't want him to get involved in this trouble.

Mabilis na inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko. Halos hindi ko na nga natupi pa ang mga damit ko. I just know that I need to leave and I need to be there for my parents. Sobrang nagpa-panic na ako sa gagawin ko.

Before I left Ryker's suite, I left him a note. Then, I sent Tiffany a message.

To: Tiffany

I have an emergency, Tiff! I need to go back to Manila.

Magkita na lang tayo sa Manila.

Ingat kayo ni Thalia dito sa Vista Verde.

While I was on my way to the airport, I was attempting to formulate a strategy in my head. I had to keep my composure for the sake of my family and provide assistance to them in every way that I could. However, I was at a loss as to how to begin. Halos sabunutan ko na ang sarili ko kakaisip ng gagawin ko.

After I landed in Manila, the first place I visited was to see Eliz at her home. She was the only person of the family who I put my faith in, and she was also the only one who know what I am going through right now. Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko sa kanya sa tulong na ibinigay niya sa akin at sa ginawa niya para sa parents ko habang wala pa ako.

Instead, she gave me a firm embrace and said, "We'll get through this together. Kaya 'to! Huwag ka ng umiyak..." I was comforted by her words.

I cried while she hugged me. "Sorry sa abala..."

"No... It's okay. Ang importante ay makalabas na sa kulungan ang parents mo," sabi niya sa akin.

I made an effort to keep myself occupied during the course of the next several hours. I went to see my parents when they were incarcerated, and it was a harrowing experience. They seemed to be so dejected and shattered, and I could tell by their appearance that they were guilty. Pero, sila pa rin ang aking mga magulang, at imposibleng sumuko ako sa kanila. Hindi ko naman sila matitiis at hindi ko naman hahayaan na nasa sitwasyon silang ganito.

I also spoke with a lawyer in the hopes of discovering any method to reduce the severity of their punishment. But the more I discovered about the situation, the less likely it appeared that anything could be done. My parents were found out in the open, and there was no way to vindicate them or show that they were innocent.

Slowly, I felt like I was drowning in the sadness and the troubles that I have right now...

I'm so fucking tired!