The Gentle Truth

CHAPTER 12

"M-ma! Hindi yan totoo!"

Anya was sobbing really hard. Tita shook her head, admitting that she's not lying. I was dumbfounded. I couldn't move. The next thing i knew was my mother broke down in tears. Papa was about to touch her arms but she shove them away.

"P-paano? B-bakit?" She was crying hardly. All my life i saw a strong woman. A woman who conquers it all. But right now, she's far from what i always viewed. This is the very first time i saw her cry like that.

Even the strongest person we know weakens when it comes to family. Tears isn't a sign of weakness. But a sign of strength, courage, and endurance.

"Hindi ko alam... Hindi ko alam, Annie." My father tried to reach for my mother's hands. Everyone was astounded.

"Bakit? N-nagkulang ba ako, Havier? S-saan? Alin? B-bakit mo naman ginawa 'to?" Tears came crashing down my cheeks as i watched the two of them. Ni sa hinagip hindi ko naisip na mangyayari 'to.

"Annie... Hindi ko talaga alam. Maniwala ka saakin." My father cried as he was still trying to reach for my mother's hands.

I looked at Tita Andra. I don't know what to do. Everyone was waiting for a proper answer. Anya was the one who bravely asked her mother about it.

"M-ma? Ano? Magpaliwanag ka naman! Sabihin mo ang totoo!" Pasigaw na saad nya sa ina.

"Gusto mo ng katotohan?! Oh total nandito naman na kayong lahat! Total naumpisahan na. Oo na. Nagkamali ako! Dala lang iyon ng alak! Pagkakamali iyon! Hindi tama! Alam ko naman! Kaya itinago ko! Mali ang nangyare at nagbunga pa! Pero anak, huwag mo naman isipan na isa kang pagkakamali. Mali ang ginawa ko, namin! Pero ikaw hindi!" Umiiyak na bulyaw nya.

"No..." I whispered underneath my breath. I shook my head lightly, refusing to believe those words. My mother's cries became more audible. I couldn't stop my tears.

"You really cheated. Not just on me, but to everyone. You lied to all of us!" Paggalit na pagsabat ni Tito sa dati nyang asawa. Ang alam ko kasi ay naghiwalay na sila.

"Hindi ko din naman ginusto ang nangyari, Chad!" Tita Andra's words for her ex-husband, reflects so much pain and regrets.

"You cheated with your brother-in-law!" Tito respond back.

They're shouting at each other. Nakakahiya sa mga tao rito pero hindi na alintana iyon ng mga masasakit na katotohanang ngayon lang nabunyag. Umiiyak ako at hindi ko na naman alam ang gagawin ko. I search for my phone on my sling bag, and with my shaky hands i tried to contact one person.

One person who knows exactly how to comfort me during times like this. As i tried to search for his name on my contacts, i suddenly felt someone grabbed my arms. I looked over at my grandma who's clutching on her chest.

Nabitawan ko ang cellphone ko noong mapagtanto ko ang nangyayare. Napasigaw nalang ako sa sobrang takot. Inaatake si lola sa puso!

"Tulong! Ma! Si Lola!" I cried as i crouched down and hugged my grandma.

"Lola! Mama!" Screams and panics we're all around. I was sobbing hard.

The ambulance came, i was the one who accompanied my grandma. I was still dialing the same number on my phone. But it always tells me that the number cannot be reached.

Lola was being taken care of the doctors as soon as we got to the hospital. I was still sobbing, i felt my mother's warm embrace. Soothing me despite the fact that she's hurt too. Badly hurt.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakaupo roon at nagdarasal na sana maging maayos si lola. Hindi ko alam kung ilang tawag ko ang hindi nasagot ni Joaquin. Hindi ko na alam.