The Captain's Only Sea (Cavanaugh #4)

Kabanata 35

Kabanata 35

Hacienda

"I won't cooperate with that DNA test, Dad," I announced as I walked down the grand staircase of this large house.

Hindi ko na kinaya. I made my presence known. Pareho silang natigilan at napatingin sa akin na pababa ng hagdan.

The whole house was still dimlit. Kagaya na lang nang kahapon ng hatinggabi kung kailan dumating si Daumier.

Dad was sending me his stare of leniency, whilst Daumier was beastly glowering at me in anger and disapproval of my unexpected arrival.

"Kaleidoscope, anak. . ." Nangapa pa ng salita si Dad. The dimness somehow veiled the shock on his face. "Kanina ka pa pa riyan?"

"Narinig ko lahat," I confessed.

"Kailangan nating masigurado, anak. Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan natin," malumanay ang boses ni Dad.

I scoffed at the thought. "Walang mawawala. . . sa'yo. Pero sa akin? May mawawala, Dad."

Nang nakababa na ako ay agad akong lumapit at tumabi kay Daumier. By the tone I was using on my Dad, I was losing my respect for him.

"Kaleidoscope," Daumier's dangerous cold voice warned.

I know that he disliked the way I treated Dad right now.

Parang nanlambot ako sa inaasal nito sa akin. He was not the soft-spoken and gentle Daumier at this hour.

"Daumier, I don't want this." Hindi ko maitago ang pagpapaawa sa kaniya.

He grabbed my waist and pulled me close to him. Kissing the side area of my head. "I know. Calm down, baby."

Kahit na magaan sa pakiramdam na marinig ang mga salitang iyon sa kaniya ay hindi pa rin ako kampante. His tone was different. It was piercing that it numbed me. So chilled and cooled.

Nawala sa isip ko bigla na kaharap pala namin si Dad kaya umayos ako ng tayo.

"Can't we just ignore the rumours? It's affecting our family, Dad," I showed respect through toning down my voice.

He shook his head once. "For the meantime, avoid showing up in public with Daumier."

I gritted my teeth in fury. "What? No! Parang pinapakita na rin namin sa kanila na totoo ang mga usap-usapan!"

"Kaleidoscope, we need to protect our name. Your name-"

"I'm not your daughter! I'm not a Cavanaugh! You're not my father!"

Natigilan siya at mula sa dilim ay nahuli ko ang bakas ng sakit na dumaan sa kaniyang mga mata.

Sensing Daumier's large hand on my waist almost grip the fabric of my pyjama clothes, I closed my mouth and looked away from Dad. Dropping my gaze on my feet.

Dad cleared his throat after he collected back his usual demeanor.

"If you're sure of it then a DNA test won't hurt you. . . but hurt me."

Umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. He was serious.

Nang nilipat ko ang tingin kay Daumier ay parang gumuho ang mundo ko. I could read it in his eyes. He agreed to Dad.

Gusto niya rin na magsagawa ng DNA test? Bakit? Naniniwala rin ba siya sa mga sabi-sabi, usap-usapan, at kuwento ng mga taong bayan? They didn't know a thing. For sure, it was all a lie.

Marahas kong hinawi ang kaniyang kamay na mahigpit ang hawak sa baywang ko, at umakyat pabalik sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay upang bumalik sa kuwarto ko.