Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Change

"You probably thought we wouldn't notice, huh?" sarkasmo ni Kuya Mooze pagdating nilang lahat.

"Where have you been?" malamig ang boses ni Daddy. "I told you to stay at home until we clear this mess, right?" Sumunod si Daddy na naiinis ang tono.

Mom and Kuya Trev were watching us. They looked so stressed out because of me. Naalala kong law student si Kuya. He has so many things to do and read but here he is, dragged to my mess.

Dad's eyes traveled on my arms. Hindi ba sapat ang mga concealers na pinahid ko? Nagmadali ako dahil mabilis din silang sumunod sa bahay. I was panicking when I went downstairs.

"She's hiding her scratches. Some parts of her skin are red and irritated, Dad." Kuya Mooze's eyes were dark just like his tone.

"Where have you been?!" sumigaw na si Daddy. Dahil sa gulat, napaatras ako nang kaonti.

Kuya Trev brushed his hair with his fingers aggressively before shaking his head. Frustrated siya at galit.

"I... I'm sorry, Dad—"

"I'm asking you where you have been!" Mas lalong tumaas ang boses ni Daddy.

"Mateo!" si Mommy.

I closed my eyes before answering.

"I'm sorry if I made you all worried... I just needed to see Rejo because I got a feeling that he's not doing well..."

Hindi ko matagalan ang mga mata ni Daddy. Ngayon ko lang siya nakita na ganito.

"There's a reason I didn't want you exposed outside, Hiraya! The environment isn't safe for you at the moment! I let your boyfriend visit you here para hindi ka na lumabas pero ang tigas pa rin ng ulo mo!"

"I'm sorry! I was desperate to see him... Nabugbog siya, D-daddy! Kaya hindi siya makapunta..." Hindi ko na pinunasan ang mga luha sa mata ko.

Paniguradong nakita na nila si Rejo kanina.

"And look at you!" sigaw ulit ni Daddy.

Mom approached me to check me up. She was crying while examining my skin and the scratch near my head. Umiling siya. Nakitaan ko ng galit ang mga mata niya.

"They're being too much! This is absurd, Mateo!" Hinarap niya si Daddy. "We have to do something!"

"Trevor, give your sister wipes. I want to see everything."

Pinanood ko si Daddy na niluwagan ang necktie n'ya bago umupo sa living room.

Ilang minuto lang ay dumating si Kuya Trev at iniabot sa akin ang wipes. Kahit hindi ko gustong ipakita sa kanila ang lahat ng sugat ko, kailangan ko silang sundin. I felt like I was already abusing their kindness and understanding for me.

Nagmura si Kuya Mooze nang makita lahat ng sugat ko. Pinaupo ako ni Mommy sa sofa at saka siya tumabi sa akin.

"Si Diana ba?" Hindi ko nilingon si Kuya Mooze.

Hindi ako sumagot. Tumango-tango ito at may ginawa sa cellphone niya.

"I'm okay—"

"You're not, Anak... Hindi na katanggap-tanggap ang mga nangyayari sa inyo ni Rejo. You two are still young!"

"I was willing to support the both of you..."

"Dad!" Umiyak na ako.

"But seeing the things you have to go through, I don't think I could still support what you want."