The Gentle Truth

CHAPTER 7

TW: BLOOD & VIOLENCE⚠️

"Anya! Please! Akin na yan!"

Mangiyak ngiyak na akong sumisigaw. But she was literally having fun. She ran downstairs and i knew I'm doomed. I followed her but i was careful enough knowing that there's a life growing inside of me.

Noong makababa ako ay nakatayo na silang lahat, si Lola, Tita Andra, Mama, and Papa. They're looking at the pregnancy test Anya gave them. As i step on the last stair, i could feel my knees wobbling in tremendous fear.

Papa was the first one who spoke.

"Alaina, ano ito? Kanino? Sa'yo ba?" My whole body froze upon hearing papa's serious voice. His eyes wandered on my being till it stopped on my belly. I unconscious caressed it. Loud gasped was audible in the whole living room.

"P-pa... M-ma..." My voice quivered in nervousness. I suddenly feel dizzy.

"Sagutin mo ako! Buntis ka ba?!" I didn't move a limb. I'm suffocating. Tears started cascading down my cheeks. I looked at papa's eyes. It was full of disappointment and above that all, anger.

"O-opo..." Pagtatapat ko. He then grabbed my arm before forcing me to kneel on the floor. Mama was already crying. I sobbed looking how disappointed they was.

"SINO ANG AMA, ALAINA?!" I sobbed harder. I can't tell him that it's Joaquin. I can't let him be at stake. I would never cause him any harm. I shook my head at papa. I don't want to hurt Joaquin. He doesn't even know about this yet.

As i shook my head at papa, anger bursted into him that he goes into their bedroom, walking out while holding his belt. The belt that would always hit me whenever i did some mistakes when i was younger.

It's been years but i could still feel the sting it causes everytime it hits my delicate skin. My whole body shivered in fear. My hands instinctively went to protect my belly. I tried to stand up but he just raised his voice at me again.

"LUMUHOD KA ALAINA! HINDI MO TALAGA SASABIHIN KUNG SINO ANG AMA?! ANO?! MAGSALITA KA NA!" Cries was audible around the house. Mama couldn't move. She's crying and was about to walk towards me when papa warned her. "Isang hakbang pa, Annie. Mayayari sakin 'tong anak mo."

I smiled softly at mama, as i shook my head at her. Tita Andra, and Anya was just watching. There was a grin on their faces. Lola was crying silently, holding Mama's arms. We all know that nothing could stop my father when it comes to teaching me lessons.

"Nahihibang ka na ba, Havier?! Buntis ang anak mo tapos sasaktan mo!" My mother was still trying to fight for me despite the knowledge that she will never win against my beloved father.

"BUNTIS ANG ANAK KO NG WALANG ASAWA! ANO SA TINGIN MO ANG GAGAWIN KO?! MATUWA?!" I flinched upon hearing their voices. My body trembled in fear when the belt clanked on the floor. It made my blood run cold. Then my father turned and looked at me with bloodshot eyes. "Lai, sino ang ama? Sabihin mo na bago pa ako lalong magalit sa'yo."

I shook my head for the nth time. That snapped my father's patience. With that i screamed in pain when the belt hits my arms. I was sobbing hard, trying not to fall on the floor completely. I looked over my arm and saw that it's already bruised.

Another whip hits me as i screamed in pure pain. The door flew open and there Teressa stood shocked. Nabitawan nya ang supot ng mangga na binili. Gumulong iyon sa sahig kasabay ng paghakbang nya papalapit saakin. Pero katulad ni Mama ay natigil rin sya. Kilala nila kung paano magalit ang tatay ko. Walang sinasanto.

Everyone screamed as another whip pierced through my skin, causing my arms to bleed. I endured the pain thinking that it'll be over. I cried and prayed that this will be over very soon. My vision became blurry because of the tears pooling in my eyes but it became even more blurry when i saw a familiar figure standing infront of our door.