Until Forgotten (Jsavch Legacy #1)

CHAPTER 23

"I also met Vin." He added, making my head turn to him. My lips parted because he doesn't seem mad at the mention of Vin's name. Maybe because he already knows the truth. That Vin's mom is not a mistress but our father's victim.

"Uh..." I blinked, not knowing what to say. Ayokong malaman niya ang nangyari nang tumawag ako kay Vin. Baka muli lang siyang magalit dito.

But why am I still protecting him?

"You're not answering his calls." Malalim ang mga titig niya na parang hinahalukay kung anong iniisip ko kaya kumurap ako para itago kung ano man iyon.

"My phone got broken." And so as my heart.

His eyes narrowed at me suspiciously that made me shift in my seat uncomfortably. I know he's examining my face so I averted my gaze.

"What happened?"

Umiling ako at tumayo. Mabagal kong nilagay sa kamay ang mga paperpag at hindi na siya muling tiningnan. Letting him know that it's... nothing. But what I did seem to be convincing him even more that something really happened.

"Aya-"

Nagulat ako sa mabilis niyang paghakbang at paghawak sa braso ko. My hands went cold as the paper bags fell on the floor when I lost my strength. I took a step back and bowed my head, slightly ashamed of my reaction.

"I'm sorry... nagulat lang." I swallowed hard and was about to pick up the paper bags on the floor when I heard his loud sigh.

I refused to look at him and moved backwards again. Nalilito na kung hahayaan nalang ba ang mga nahulog at umakyat nalang sa kuwarto o pupulutin pa rin ang mga iyon. Pero si Kuya na ang nagkusang yumuko at isa-isa iyong kinuha. He then put it back on the couch and faced me. The sadness escaped his eyes but it was just for a moment, making me think I'm just imagining things.

"Do you... want to see a doctor?" He asked calmly, ang mga mata ay naninimbang.

Muli akong umiling nang maramdaman ang pamumuo ng mga luha. "I'm just disgusted kuya. I feel... dirty."

"You're not."

"Pero ramdam ko! He... yes! He is my father! But the thought that he had seen me naked with malice in his eyes makes me want to just bury myself six feet below the ground! I don't need a doctor to ask me what I feel and then give me medicines as if it could heal this... this feeling." I wiped off my tears looked at him straight in the eyes. "I don't need a doctor, kuya. Ang kailangan ko ay makalimutan ang lahat ng ito. At hindi 'yon kaya ng kahit na sinong doktor."

I covered my face and sobbed in front of him.

"He didn't just hurt me. He didn't just broke my heart. He took my soul.... the cleanliness of my soul. Oo, walang nangyari! But..." Suminghap ako at nagpatuloy sa pag-iyak nang maalala kung paano niya iyon inamoy bago hinawakan ang sarili. "Sana pinatay niya nalang ako."

"I'm sorry..." He said breathlessly. "I'm sorry for failing to protect you. I'm sorry for... leaving the house when I..." He stopped and didn't continue. Pero alam ko. Alam ko na.

Nagbaba ako ng tingin at basag ang puso na tumalikod at tumakbo paakyat. With my tears continuously falling, and my heart that is still capable of breaking when it was already shattered into pieces.

Nagdududa na siya. He sensed that something's going on. He's been doubting for so long. But he still left the house. He left me there with the monster. He didn't think of me.

He... betrayed me.

Hindi ko na alam kung sino ang sasandalan. Someone who is not capable of hurting me in the end. Definitely not the people around me. Dahil sinaktan lang naman nila akong lahat kahit nanatili ang kabutihan ko kahit sa mga nangyari.