The Veil of Desire

CHAPTER 29

Yoshio's Point of View

“Ano bang nangyayari sa inyong mag asawa? Tsaka Yoshio, malaman ko lang talagang may ginawa ka sa kapatid ko…” Inis at panduduro na ginawa sa akin ng kapatid ni Yome. “Malilintikan ka talaga sa akin!” Sigaw niya sa akin.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako habang inaantay kong magising ang asawa ko. Nakita ko namang gumalaw ang daliri niya at dahan-dahan ng bumukas ang mga mata niya.

“Davina!” Maiyak iyak na tumakbo ang kanyang kapatid. Napailing na lang ako at humingang malalim. “A—ayos ka lang ba? Ano bang nangyari sa’yo?”

Napailing na lang ako ng makita ko si Yome. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong maging reaksyon lalo na’t wala na ang bata sa sinapupunan niya. Masakit para sa akin na tanggapin ang nangyaring ‘to ngunit ito na yung kapalaran ng ginawa kong kalokohan.

And, I don't blame myself either. Alam kong maiintindihan ng anak ko ‘yon kung nasaan man siya ngayon besides I need to be happy. Hindi ko deserve ang ganitong treatment ng asawa ko for almost years na nagbago siya sa akin.

“Yoshio…” Mahinang tawag ni Davina sa akin.
“Wala na siya.” Walang ganang sagot ko sa kanya.
“Yoshio ano bang sinasabi mo?” Tanong ng kapatid niya.

Namuo ang mga luha sa mata ng asawa ko at saka humagulgol sa harap namin nang mapagtanto niya kung ano ang ipinupunto ko sa kanya. “Yoshio, kasalanan mo lahat ng ‘to!” Sigaw ng asawa ko.

The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to press in Yome as she screamed, her voice raw and hoarse. The air hung heavy with the scent of antiseptic and unbridled grief.

“It's your fault!” Aiko shrieked, her eyes blazing with a fury that bordered on madness. “You didn't take care of her! You didn't protect her!”

Davina lunged for the vase of wilting lilies on the bedside table, sending it crashing to the floor, shards of porcelain scattering like broken promises.

I stood frozen, my chest constricted with a knot of guilt and fear. I couldn't bring myself to speak.

What could I say? The words 'I'm sorry' felt hollow, inadequate in the face of her pain.

Her sister, Aiko, stood behind Yome, her face pale and taut. She had tried to pull Yome back, but her grip was useless against the relentless storm of grief.

“Tang ina mo!” Aiko spat, her voice laced with venom. “How could you be so careless? How could you let this happen?”

She stepped forward, her anger erupting in a stinging slap across my face. The force of it sent me reeling backward.

“You will never be forgiven,” Aiko said, her voice low and dangerous. “You have broken my sister, and I will never forget it.”

As she turned and hugged her sister, Yome sank to the floor, her sobs echoing in the silence.

Sir? This is Nalu. Nag-text ako to know if makakapasok ka ba sa school. I really need you right now at the principal's office. As I've read the text message of Nalu kinuha ko ang gamit ko at akma na sanang aalis ng pigilan ako ni Yome.

“Where are you going? Iiwan mo talaga ako rito ng ganito? Hindi ba natin ‘to pupwedeng pag usapan?” Davina tried to stand up. She's begging for me not to go.

Lalapit sana ulit si Aiko sa akin para sampalin ako nang pigilan ni Yome ang kapatid niya. “May aasikasuhin akong mas importante sa'yo.” Tipid kong tugon sa kanya at lumabas na ako ng kwarto.