Tune of Rapture (Echoes #2)

Chapter 28

Trigger Warning: death.

Chapter 28

Blind

"Itigil muna natin 'to. Bumalik ka bukas, iho. Pasensya na at lalo ka pang nag isip. Puntahan mo na lang si Fredrin..." hinatid ako ni Tito Saymon sa labas ng opisina.

Nanghihina ako kaya hawak niya na aking balikat. Hindi ko magawang sagutin si Tiago kahit nangangalati na ang aking lalamunan na sagutin siya.

Gusto kong ipatanggol si Sergo na huwag nilang ikulong kung sakali mang makausap nila. Who knows, maybe it can be resolved through a peaceful conversation? There might be another way to reclaim it without hurting anyone.

No matter how much the world throws stones at me, I'm still here, concerned about the welfare of others. Why can't I get angry? I feel anger for a brief moment, but it always fades away.

I couldn't bear to despise the people there because even for a short time, they were my friends. But no friend would betray you.

I considered them as friends, but they used that to manipulate me.

"Ihatid mo si Yael. Ingat kayo." ani Tito Saymon sa driver ko.

Walang imik akong sumakay sa sasakyan at agad na pinikit ang mata. Naramdaman kong umandar iyon paalis ng kompanya.

Habang nakapikit at dinadama ang katahimikan, doon lang ako nakapag isip-isip. Kung gusto ko nga namang mabawi ang lupain, bakit pa ako kakampi sa mga Paradillo? Hindi ako papanig sakanila dahil niloko lang naman ako, eh.

I remembered what Tito Arthur said before I left.

"Even for a moment, think about your family. Let go of what your dad did to you before. Mag patawad ka kahit ngayon lang. Patawarin mo na ang tatay mo."

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Perhaps they knew that the reason I didn't want to help was because of Dad. I still harbor resentment towards my own father. I blame him for why Mom was lost to us. I can't forgive him because of the countless sins he committed, towards me and even towards his own wife.

And that's why now, I can't bring myself to risk everything for Sergo even though I know we can reclaim the land if I do.

"Pamilya ang mas importante sa lahat. Sila lang ang malalapitan mo kapag walang-wala ka." ang boses ni Tito Arthur sa aking utak.

Kung pamilya lang pala ang malalapitan, why didn't I feel that when I was at my lowest? Why did I still feel true comfort with Sergo and not with my own father?

Ito kasi ang mahirap. I don't know who to side with. I can't even help my own relatives. Because I know they're only there when I'm crying and hurting.

Si Sergo... he's there no matter what I'm going through. He's with me even when I cry. He listens to me even when I'm saying nonsensical things.

So how can I turn my back on that person? No matter how wrong he's done to me, even if he just used me, I can't despise him because I love him.

Hapon na ng umuwi ako sa mansyon. It was so quiet there, so I went straight to my room. I quickly changed clothes to rest. I fell asleep and didn't leave the room again.

My food was brought to me again since I didn't go out. I just slept and ate, but I couldn't seem to gain weight.

It feels like I'm losing weight with each passing day. I suddenly worried about my health. Maybe my body is starting to give in.

"Saan tayo, Sir?" tanong ng driver nang lumabas ako pagkatapos kumain.

Maganda ang araw and I wanted to jog at the gym, but I felt like I had lost my strength. It's better to consult a doctor first to check if my health is still okay. I'm stressed.