Behind Every Pages

Chapter Twenty-eight

Trigger Warning: Strong Language
This chapter contains explicit language that may be offensive or inappropriate for some readers.

Lestari

Matagal ko na rin palang hindi nabibisita si Daddy kaya nang mag linggo ay napagpasyahan namin ni Luther bumisita sa kaniya sa kulungan.

As we arrived at the prison gates, the heavy atmosphere weighed down on us. We had to go through the usual security checks, handing over the bag of food and clothes we brought for Dad. He must be tired of the same prison uniform by now.Pinapasok pa muna kami ni Luther sa isang kuwarto kung saan kakapkapan kami ng pulis.

"Kaano-ano ka ni Castillano?" tanong ng babaeng pulis na kumakapkap sa akin. Nakadiretso lang ako ng tingin at hinahayaan siya.

"Anak po,"

"Ganoon ba? Bakit ngayon ka lang bumisita?" natigilan ako dahil don.

Ang totoo kasi ay hindi ko rin talaga gustong bisitahin si Daddy noon. The idea of seeing him behind bars, a prisoner of his own actions, was too much to bear. I needed time to process everything, to heal. Luther felt the same way, he said Dad needed to truly repent for what he did before we could even think about visiting.

I had forgiven him, truly, but the pain of his betrayal still lingered. If only he hadn't made those choices, we would have a complete family, a loving father who was there for us. We won't need other people to fill the void he left behind. But as I said, I had forgiven him. It's just hard to pretend that everything is okay when it's not.

"B-busy lang po ako," iyon ang nasagot ko.

Nang lumabas kami ay pinapunta na kami sa loob. Malaki ang space para sa mga bisita, iba't ibang pamilya ang nakakasalubong namin na sama-samang kumakain kasama ang binisita nilang preso. Ang iba ay bumabati pa ka at nag-aalok ng kanilang mga kinakain. Ngumiti lang ako at tumatango. We were led to a table and sat down, waiting for Dad. A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.

"What do you think he looks like now?" Luther asked, his voice laced with concern.

"B-baka mas payat na siya ngayon." malungkot kong sagot nang maalala ang histura niya noong pansamantala pa lang siyang nakakulong.

Napalingon kami ng may marinig kaming malakas na halakhak mula sa malayo. Tama ba ang nakikita ko? Si Daddy iyon ah, at muka siyang masigla, may mga preso pang nasa likuran niya na nakasunod at talagang nakakatakot ang mga ito.

"Hoy, bakit hindi mo nilinis ang CR ko kanina?" nagulat ako nang batukan niya ang isang preso na tahimik na kumakain kasama ang mga magulang nito. Ang mga ito tuloy ay nag-aalalang tumingin sa anak nila. Anong ginagawa niya?!

"Pasensya na boss, bumisita kasi magulang ko," yumuko ito.

"Tsk, mamaya ah," tumango naman agad ang preso. Masama naman ang mga tingin ng mga preso sa likuran niya doon sa lalaki. Ano sila ni Daddy? Alagad?

"Lesty! Luther! Mabuti naman at binisita niyo na ako!" tumayo kami at naguguluhang yumakap kay Daddy dahil niyakap niya kami agad.

"Sorry we didn't come sooner, Dad," Luther said, his voice hesitant. Dad ruffled Luther's hair, his smile seeming forced.

"It's okay. What did you bring?"

"Your food, Dad. Are you eating well here?" I asked, trying to sound casual. It was clear he was eating well. He looked healthier, his hair had grown back, and he even had a mustache. It was unsettling, seeing him like this.

I noticed the tattoos on his shoulders and chest. Had they always been there? He always wore long sleeves at home. He rarely wore casual clothes, spending most of his time at the company instead of our mansion.

"Yup" nagulat ako nang maupo siya sa harapan namin kasama ang mga kapwa niya preso. Hinayaan niyang ang mga ito ang magbukas ng mga pagkaing dala namin. "Oh ano? Maupo na kayo at kumain tayo," he said, his voice still booming, his gaze lingering on Luther and me. We sat down, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over us.