Illicit Sky [✓]

Chapter 57

Ilang beses na naglabas at pasok ang doctor at nurses sa silid ko. Matapos ang ilang oras nang magising ako, I slowly gained the strength to move. Mama helped me sit and gave me a glass of water. 

Naka-benda ang ulo ko. So far, it was just my head and some small bruises. Mama's sitting by my side, still crying silently. Mahina ang buong katawan ko. I want to see Angelus. Ngunit ang makitang umiiyak si Mama ang pumigil sa akin. 

I told her what happened the moment I gained my strength. That's why she wouldn't stop crying. Wala siyang ibang sinabi simula kanina at panay lang ang pagtangis niya. I just sat in bed, watching her silently.

I am safe. I just had a mild head injury. Even if they don't tell me, it's all thanks to Angelus. I remembered seeing him desperately shielding me with his body before I passed out. I'm so worried. 

"I'm sorry," paos na sabi ni Mama sa gitna ng mga paghikbi niya. "I'm... so sorry, F—Farida."

Umawang ang aking bibig. "Mama, it wasn't your fault..."

She shook her head as she looked at me, tears filling her eyes. Sobrang pula na ng ilong niya. Even her eyes are all red and swollen. Guilt stung in my chest seeing her like that. 

"I was weak and incapable of... giving you protection. Kung malakas at m—matapang lang sana ako kagaya ng papa mo... hindi s—sana mangyayari ang lahat nang ito."

Agad na namuo ang aking mga luha at hindi nakapagsalita. I can't accept how she thought that it was her fault. Hindi niya kasalanan ang kahit anong nangyari noon at nangyayari ngayon. 

I brought... everything upon myself. Ako. Ako ang may kasalanan. Every stupid decision I made in the past was the reason why this is happening. So why is she apologizing like it's her fault? 

"I'm so sorry, Ari," she sobbed. 

"It wasn't your fault, Mama." 

Umiling siya, nanginginig ang mga balikat. "I know you have questions, but refused to ask me. I am not a good mother to you, Farida. Instead of making... that man pay, I hid you instead a—and deprived you of a normal life for two years. I'm so sorry!" 

Lumabas ang hikbi ko. I fisted my hands. It breaks my heart to hear her apologize when it's clearly my fault that this is happening. 

I was stupid and naive. I let that man enter my life. I let him play with me. I let him do whatever he wanted. It was my fault. But even if I tell her that, I know she will shake her head and own up to my mistake.