The Sinister's Web

Chapter 29

"It was an accident, Red. Hindi ako ang pumatay sa iyong ina. Oo, inaamin kung ginagamit lang kita para makapag higanti sa mga Thornfield pero hinding-hindi ko magagawang patayin ang iyong ina. Namatay siya dahil hindi niya kinaya ang sakit nang isilang ka niya. Dinala kita sa bahay ampunan at pinaniwala kang tita mo ako," paliwanag ni tita.

"Lucas Gustav Thornfield broke my heart for million times."

Tita wiped her tears.

"Pinaglaban ko siya hanggang sa umabot ako sa puntong kalabanin ang sarili kong pamilya. I chose him over my family and gave everything to him. From financing his studies up until he graduated and even building his own house out of my savings..." Nangingilid ulit ang luha sa mga mata ni tita.

"That's how crazy a desperate woman can do for the man she loves," patuloy niya.

"Hindi ko alam bakit ko sinimulan ang storya namin kung sa iba niya ito gustong matapos."

*****

I tried to wash off the thoughts. Ni hindi ko magawang tanggalin sa isipan ko ang sinabi sa akin ni tita. She shared everything happend that one rainy night at our old house. Nasabi niyang si mama lang ang namatay dahil bago paman ako maisilang ng aking ina ay iniwan kami ng aking ama.

The policeman's harsh demeanor remained unwavering as he asked Mr. Thornfield questions. "Did you get involved with Red's parents' deaths 18 years ago?"

Kasalukayan kaming nasa bahay nina Gray para interviewihin ang daddy niya tungkol sa pagkamatay ng mga magulang ko.

Mr. Thornfield's face was a mask of surprise and disbelief. "Absolutely not. Dhalia was driving home that rainy night, hoping to see her husband."

The sadness on Mr. Thornfield's eyes was palpable. Parang pinipigilan niya na lang umiyak sa harap namin habang nagkukuwento.

"At exactly this day, your mom died," Mr. Thornfield added.

Mariin akong pumikit at napapunas ng luhang tumulo mula sa aking mga mata. Para akong tinatanggalan ng tinik sa puso dahil sa kuwento ni Mr. Thornfield tungkol sa aking ina.

Today is my birthday and this day is the exact day when my mom died.

"It was too, sudden. I had an affair with Red's mom," Mr. Thornfield continued, his voice strained. "It was a mistake, and it ended long before her death. But I loved her, and I would never harm her."

Tuluyan nang umiyak si Mr. Thornfield, ngayon ay naiintindihan ko na bakit gano'n na lang siya kalungkot habang nagkukuwento.

It was a difficult pill to swallow when I discovered that my mom and Mr. Thornfield had an affair.

"Sinundan ko si Dhalia nang mga oras na iyon at nadatnang duguan sa bahay niya at walang malay. Hindi ko rin alam saan ang anak niya," malungkot na pagpapatuloy ni Mr. Thornfield.

Mr. Thornfield's gaze shifted to me, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and regret. "Red, I know this must be difficult to hear, but I want you to know that I had no part in her death. Sinubukan ko siyang iligtas ngunit nabigo ako."

Natahimik na lang ako at naiyak. Ilang oras din ang itinagal ng imbestigasyon hanggang sa madeklarang aksidente ang nangyari kay mama dahil sa mga medical records na nakalap ni officer kung saang hospital dinala si mama noon.

"Red," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of weariness and resignation. "If you're truly seeking the truth, there's something you need to see."

He gestured for me to follow him after saying those words. My mistrust was overpowered by my desire for answers and sense of curiosity. Mr. Thornfield led me to a dimly lighted storage area.