Del Rico Progeny #2: Crashing Into You

Kabanata 36

Crashing Into You
Chapter 36
Maybe

I was the only one making a sound. I am sobbing still, Dad had bowed his head, probably grasping what I just said. Si Mommy…nakatingin lamang sa akin.

Nanlalabo ang aking mga mata dahil sa luhang tila hindi nauubos.

“S-si Asael po… n-nakilala ko noon.”

Suminghap ako at sinubukang linisan ang luha sa aking mukha. I don’t think I have the right to cry in front of them but…I’m here already, crying.

“Sorry…” hirap kong sambit. “G-ginawa ko po ang lahat p-para…m-makilala niyo siya.”

Nanginginig ang aking mga kamay na humimas sa aking magkabilang braso, animo’y niyayakap at inaalo ang sarili.

“Hope…” it was Dad. “Just give me one answer. I need one answer from you and please, speak the truth.”

Ramdam ko rin ang paghihirap niya sa sitwasyon. Na tila ba gusto niyang huwag na kaming dumaan sa ganitong usapan ngunit hindi maaari dahil hindi matatapos ‘to. Dahil malilinawan sa kanila ang lahat.

“Dad…”

Naramdaman ko si Mommy sa aking tabi, ang kamay ay sumuot sa aking baywang at kinabig ako sa isang yakap. Lalo akong nakaramdam ng guilt. Hindi ba dapat ay nagagalit na sila sa akin matapos nilang malaman ito?

"Hope, tell me the truth. Who is he? Who is Asael?" my father demanded, his voice tinged with bitterness.

I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing it was impossible to confess the truth while meeting his gaze. Confronting him directly would likely cast me as a disappointment in his eyes. This man, who had embraced and supported me even in my brokenness after Kuya Lucian's death, now faced the prospect of being deceived by my lies and pretenses.

"Who is he?" Dad pressed again, his words carrying different tones that urged me to provide an answer or face the consequence of him walking away.

Though my father was undeniably a good man, I couldn't help but ponder the limits of a person's patience and goodness. How long could one endure the burden of deception before the foundation of that goodness began to crumble?

Anak niya ang sangkot dito. Tunay. Hindi ko kailanman nakita si Dad na nagtaas ng boses o magalit. Hindi kailanman. Kay Mommy kapag nagkakaroon sila ng diskusyon, palaging si Daddy ang sumusuko. Dahil ang sabi niya, hindi niya kailangan na ipilit ang gusto niya sa puntong magkakaroon sila ni Mommy nang away. Kahit tungkol pa kanino iyon. But now…kaya pa ba akong unawain ni Daddy?

Nagngingitngit ang aking mga ngipin dahil sa kaba at takot para sa sasabihin. Ngunit narito na ako. Ito na. I should tell them and no more lies. No more lies.

“He’s…the f-father of my twins, Dad…” nanghina ang dulo ng aking mga salita. “H-hindi po totoong w-wala na siya d-dahil natakot lang po akong mag…salita sa inyo.”

My mom let out a gasp, embracing me tightly. Tears streamed down her face onto my shoulder, indicating that my words had likely deeply saddened her. It felt like a betrayal, concealing the truth about Asael. Even having romantic feelings for him seemed like a form of betrayal. I couldn't bear the idea of labeling my future children as a result of such betrayal, that’s why I am deeply sorry for what I’ve done.

“A-anak, bakit hindi mo sinabi?” nabibiglang tanong ni Mommy.

Hindi ako nakasagot. Hindi ko alam kung katanggap-tanggap ba ang ibibigay kong rason. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko para lang maging malinis sa paningin nila. Sa harap nila. I disappointed them, right? Kahit anong kagustuhan ko noon at pangako ko noon na hindi nila iyon mararamdaman sa akin, ito pa rin. Narito pa rin ako sa sitwasyong nabigyan ko sila ng sakit.