DOMINATED

CHAPTER 10

WHY?

I laugh awkwardly, "M-Mom..." I was taken back.

Mom's eyes soften and I can sense the seriousness through it. My smile vanished as I realized she's telling the truth, muli kong nilingon si Merinneth na ngayon ay tulala na sa amin, nag hihintay na sabihin ni Mommy na joke lang iyon.

"Anak, he emailed me a few days ago and told me he's sorry for everything. Bibisita siya ngayon, it's actually a surprise-"

"Mommy..." hinawakan ko ang braso ni Mommy kaya natahimik siya, "I..."

I couldn't tell her.

"T-Tita! thank you! bababa nalang po kami ni Dom!" si Merinneth. Binitawan ko si Mommy.

Mommy look at my friend and nodded. Nilingon ko si Merinneth. Mommy left us. Lumapit sa akin si Merinneth at hinawakan ang balikat ko. She looks worried as she frown her head.

"You don't wanna face him?" she ask.

Umiling ako ng dahan-dahan, "I wanted to... but... something's holding me on."

"Hey, 'wag mo na munang isipin ang mga informations na nakukuha mo. Alam kong galit ka kay Jeremiah pero..." she put her two hands on my shoulder and gave me a forced smile, "You can face him. Make it casual muna, baka nandito siya for some information-"

"Merinneth, ilang taon siyang hindi nag paramdamn-"

"I know but let's hear his side."

That made me shut up. Ilang sandali pa kaming nag ka titigan bago parehong bumitiw at sabay na lumabas ng kwarto para babaan ang bisita. Nauna ako kay Merinneth kahit na mas kabado akong harapin muli si Jeremiah.

Nakikita ko na si Jeremiah, nakatalikod ito, nakaupo sa sofa at nasa harapan niya si Mommy. Nag uusap sila. Nag tatawanan. Umalis roon ang kasambahay na nag dala ng meryenda niya, tumingin sa akin si Mommy dahilan kaya napalingon siya sa akin. Natigilan ako at nahigit ang hininga. Our eyes meet.

Jeremiah stood up. He looks so tensed. He's tall, almost reached Alejandro's height. His face looks more mature now and he looks manly dressed by his polo and slacks, naka clean cut din siya at pumuti siya, napansin kong medyo lumaki rin ang katawan. Payat at moreno kasi siya dati pa. Nanibago ako ngayon, he looks like a decent man.

"Naku, hija, nandiyan kana pala! come here!" si Mommy.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako gumalaw, sinagi ni Merinneth ang balikat ko kaya bumalik ako sa katawan ko. I forced a smile and walk forward. Yumuko ako dahil sa madiing titig ni Jeremiah sa akin, hindi manlang nag bago ang height ko pero sakto na rin ito, siguradong hanggang tenga niya lang ako.

"Jeremiah!" anang maligayang boses ni Merinneth, nilampasan ako nito upang yakapin si Jeremiah.

Mommy walk towards me. Inakbayan niya ako, tiningnan ko siya at malawak ang kanyang ngiti kay Jeremiah.

"We are so happy to see you again, Jeremiah." ani Mommy.

I shook my head as I remember that I didn't mention to them why I got kidnapped a year ago. Hindi ko sinabing pumunta ako sa kanila ni Jeremiah, ayaw ko siyang mapahamak lalo pa't nag iisang anak lang ako at baka ano pang magawa ni Daddy sa kanya, I was waiting for him to comfort me and check me... but he didn't. Even once. He didn't.

Tumingin ako kay Jeremiah. Anger lingered in my eyes as I watch him forced a smile to my mother. Merinneth, on the other hand, is smiling widely.

"Alam mo, Jeremiah. Ilang taon kang nawala! ang daming nangyari! buti naman may oras ka pa para mag paramdam! bango mo na ah! hindi kana payat masyado! stick ka dati e!" Merinneth is making the situation light.