The Enemy's Daughter (On-going)

Chapter 28 - Revelation from the past

ZACH'S POV

"Where is Zanaya, Zach? What did you tell to my daughter?! Why she left us?!"

Napabuntong hininga sya at hinarap ang asawa.

"I told her to break up with Caleb! I think she is in Caleb's place right now."

"Why did you do that?! She is in danger right now! Nakalimutan mo na ba?! She already met Isaac!"

"I know she will be safe in Caleb and honey do you think Isaac will going to hurt her?"

"Really?! Ganon na kataas ang tiwala mo kay Caleb at sa pamilya nya? Remember what you did to his parents! Baka nakalimutan mo rin ang nangyari kay Zaia sa Benguet. I don't also trust Isaac!"

"Enough Aliyah. I only want Zaia to be happy!"

Sumasakit na naman ang ulo nya. Napasandal sya sa sofa at bumuntong hininga.

"By telling her lies again? Kelan ka ba magiging honest sa anak natin? Sa sarili mo Zach? I am trying to understand you for so many years but I still don't get you! We did nothing wrong in the past! We have nothing to do on what happened to Dad."

"H-oney. . I want to rest."

Mahinahon nyang sabi kay Aliyah. Kita nya ang pag amo ng mukha nito at mabilis na lumapit sa kanya.

"I'm s-orry. ."

Aniya at tumabi sa kanya sabay hawak sa kanyang kamay.

"Are you having headache again?"

I didn't answer. I pull her hand and hug her. I'm feeling sick. I don't want to seek treatment from doctors. But, Zanaya makes me change my mind and make an appointment to a neurologist. Lately, lagi na lang sumasakit ang ulo ko.

"Call my daughter now Zach, please..."

Nag mamakaawa na ang tono nya. Bumuntong hininga ako ng malalim bago kunin ang cellphone ko at tumawag kay Zaia. Pinindot ko ang loud-speaker para marinig ni Aliyah ang boses ni Zaia.

"D-ad?"

"Baby! It's me! Please go home now okay? We will talk."

"M-om?"

"Yes baby! Please go home. Please..."

My wife sounds desperate now.

"I'm g-going home with Caleb. How is Dad? Is he still angry with me? I'm sorry Mom for being stubborn. I know this is the first time I shouted at Dad. I feel guilty that it makes me cry thinking of what I've done!"

Tumingin si Aliyah sa akin. My wife starts to cry. Tumikhim ako.

"Tell Caleb I want to talk to him. Go home now, baby."

Tumahimik sa kabilang linya.

"Zanaya? Baby?"

"She is crying and can't talk anymore, Mr. Zach. I will bring her home today! Bye!"

It was Caleb who talked.

28 years ago . . . Patras, Greece

Aliyah was staring at her Dad and twin brother playing chess. Napangiti ako ng mapakamot sa ulo si Isaac. Malamang talo na naman sya kay Dad. He can never beat Dad in chess. Ang galing kaya nya sa chess. My Dad meet my Mom in the Philippines. Don kami lumaki ni Isaac hanggang Junior High School sa bahay ng Lola namin sa Legazpi, Albay. Nung mamatay si Mommy dinala kami ni Dad sa Greece. Dito na rin kami nag tapos sa pag-aaral at tumulong sa negosyo ni Dad. Katabi ng kapatid ko si Zariah, his wife. Napadako ang tingin ko sa may kalakihan ng tyan ni Zariah. Napalingon ako ng may umakbay sa akin. Di ko man lang napansin ang pagdating nya galing sa trabaho.