Embracing the Wind of Change (Batchmate Series #3)

Chapter 22

“Who died?” I asked underneath my breath.

I prolonged my gaze at him to observe him. . more digging the whole him through his widened eyes. 

“S—Saigian, who died?” 

This is the first time I've addressed him in this way... It feels different. The way the name rolled off my tongue, it has a weight unlike just saying his anagram.

His eyes are pleading with me to stop. Yet, my curiosity keeps me staring. If this has anything to do with taking a life... it's a whole different matter.

He seemed to come to his senses at my words. Slowly, his eyes grew heavy and half-closed as they met mine. I tried to catch his gaze, but he looked away. Eventually, he left, leaving me feeling puzzled and unsettled.

I tried to call him but he didn't answer. I even texted his sister. Tria told me Gan jailed himself in his room. . again like a violent lion. 

“Pretzel, ako na ang nagsasabi sayo hayaan mo muna si Gan, h—ha?” pakiusap sa akin ni Tita Eula nang pagbuksan ako nito ng pinto. Her eyes are swallowed, too. 

Mas lalo ko tuloy namukhaan ang lalaki dahil sa kanya. Hindi lang ang lalaki ang apektado kundi rin ang pamilya nito.

“M—May pinagdadaanan k—kasi si Saigian ngayon,” she smiled wearily.

I nodded, smiling with sympathy. “N—Naiintindihan ko po, tita. Pasensya na po sa istorbo at. . nung gabing celebration ni Gan. Pasensya na po sa inakto ko.”

“Naiintindihan kita, hija. Bilang anak, gusto mo lang din ang makita ni Ophelia ang pagpupurisigi mo,” she stated. “Wag kang mag-alala, babawi ang nanay mo sa'yo.”

Tumulo ang luha niya. Naging hadlang iyon para sa mga sumunod kong pahayag.

“Pasensya na kung naging balakid si Saigian sa inyong mag-ina, h—ha?”

I bit my lower lip. I felt like guilt tripping in my system. “Ako po dapat ang humingi ng tawad d—dahil minasama ko po ang ginawang mabuti ni Gan kay mama.”

Lumamlam ang kanyang mata na hawig sa lalaki. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko para haplusin ito. 

“Alam mo, mahal na mahal ka naman talaga ng mama mo. . kayong mga anak niya kaya nga mas pinili niya kayo kaysa sa pangarap niya maging interior designer.” she smiled. “Handa niyang isuko ang passion niya para sa inyong mga anak niya, at para sa asawa.”

“Pero mas mahal niya a—ang pangarap niya, tita.”

She shook her head. “Kung mas mahal niya ang pangarap niya para sa sarili niya, sana ay pinabayaan niya kayo. Sana ay hindi kayo buong pamilya.”

Para akong binuhusan ng bagay na nagpagising sa diwa ko. A realization hit me. Parang yung galit ko kay mama ay bumaba. 

Tears welled up in my eyes as I took in the scene before me. My mother’s hair was disheveled, and she was wearing the same clothes from last week. There were empty bottles of alcohol scattered on the floor, and she was crying by the window.

I bit my lower lip to suppress a cry. I feel out of words. I can't stare at mom longer. This is disheartening.

She didn’t look like this the last time I saw her. That was the day we visited my father in prison. I lamented when they didn't win the hearing. There are so many... who want to see my father behind bars.

Ang mas matibay pa na naging laban dito ay kasangkot siya sa ilegal na pagbebenta ng gamot. . pakulo ng boss nila sa eatery. 

Hindi ko ‘yon matanggap dahil kilalang-kilala ko ang ama ko. Kahit kailan, hindi niya iyon gagawin. Itinanggi niya iyon nung hearing, balita sa akin ni mama.