FRAGMENTS (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER XXXVI

TRIGGER WARNING:

This story contains themes of violence, bullying, abuse, and topics that may be upsetting or triggering for readers which may not be suitable for some individuals. There are also unpleasant words used, and violent scenes that may not be suitable for everyone. Please be aware of your emotional well-being and seek support if needed. Reader discretion is advised.

CHAPTER XXXVI

Bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ni Nathaniel habang kaharap niya ang kaniyang ama. Damang-dama ang tensyon paggitan ng dalawa, at ramdam na ramdam nila ang parehong bigat ng titig nila sa isa't-isa.

"Bakit?" tanong ni Nathaniel sa kaniya. Inuusisa kung bakit kailangang itago ng kaniyang ama ang nalalaman nito sa krimen na kaniyang nagawa.

Hindi mabasa ang ekspresyon ni Joaqhim. Nagpipigil ito. Ayaw niyang isiwalat ang kaniyang tunay na emosyon.

"I did that for the family, Nathaniel. I did that for all of us!" mahina man ngunit may diin ang pagkakasabi niyon ni Joaqhim.

"Alam ba ni Mommy?"

"Hindi. And don't you dare tell your mother or else—"

"I'm gay, Dad." Kaagad na sabi ni Nathaniel. Lumuluha siya sa harapan ng ama. "I, Emman Nathaniel Escudero, your son... is gay. And I committed a serious crime, Dad. A crime I need to pay. A crime—"

"What are you doing?" Humahakbang si Manuel palapit sa anak. Mahina ang boses niya ngunit kontrolado.

Nakakuyom ang mga kamay ni Nathaniel, ang kanyang panga ay nakalapat sa pagsuway. "I know the truth, Dad. I know everything already." Napalunok siya, patuloy pa rin ang pagluha. "I know what Chloe, Liam, Ria, and I did. I know that you covered me—"

"Nathan, get yourself together and think of your future. Patay na si Ligaya and you can't do anything about it. Walang nakakaalam at walang makakaalam kung hindi ka aamin sa awtoridad. "Kasalanan ko kung bakit nangyari 'yon sa kaibigan ko. It was all my fault... W-what have I done?"

Nag-aalala na si Joaqhim sa ikinikilos ng anak. Sinusundan niya ang mga galaw nito dahil hindi ito mapakali.

"Calm down, son! Calm down!!" sigaw niya rito.

Napailing si Nathaniel. "How could you do this to me, Daddy?"

"How could I not? You are my son!"

"Bakla ako, Daddy! Bakla!"

"I know!!!"

Umaalingawngaw na ang sigawan sa bahay nila. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Nathaniel sa kaniyang narinig.

"What?" usal niya.

"Nalaman ko because of Ligaya and she changed my perspective that's why I liked her for you as your best friend! But my perspective changed when Chloe's father showed me a video of you doing that to her! Hindi ko siya kayang tingnan sa mga mata ko at naaawa ako sa kaniya pero mas naaawa ako sa'yo dahil anak kita!"

"Seriously, Dad?"

"What do you want me to do? Seek justice for her by jailing my own flesh and blood? I will never do that, Nathaniel and you too won't. Hindi ka aamin at hindi ka susuko sa mga pulis! Besides, wala naman sigurong mangyayaring trial kung mahina ang ebidensya sa imbestigasyon."

"Dad... I did an unforgivable mistake that I wasn't aware of. But that doesn't mean I am free of its charges dahil kahit saang anggulo mo tingnan, it was still a crime. And that made Ligaya, my... my best friend took her life. I contributed to her death Dad, because your son is a criminal! How could you tolerate me like this when I am not dying but I felt like I am living in hell?!!"