HER : Unraveled // FayeYoko

Chapter Seven

YOKO

The living room was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversation. I moved around the kitchen, preparing a plate of desserts for my Dad. He had surprised me with a visit today, and sobrang namiss ko s'ya since ilang months na rin kaming hindi nagkikita.

"Dad, coffee or tea?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Coffee, anak. Black, please," he replied, his voice warm and comforting.

I brought out a tray with coffee and a plate of pastries, placing it on the table in front of him. He smiled up at me, the lines on his face softening with affection.

"Ang tagal na natin 'di nagkita, Yoko. Kamusta ka na?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I’m good, Dad. Medyo busy lang kami ni Lux sa pag-plan for the wedding," I said, pilit akong ngumiti sa harap n'ya. Nagulat naman kami nang magspill nang kaunti sa kanya 'yung coffee.

"Sorry, anak. Medyo clumsy na, tumatanda na," natatawang sabi ni Dad, napangiti naman ako.

As I reached across the table to hand him a napkin, my sleeve pulled back, revealing the bruises on my wrist. My father's eyes widened, his smile fading instantly. Agad ko naman itong tinago.

Shit.

He grabbed my hand gently, turning it to see the full extent of the bruising. Galing 'to sa pagkaladkad sa akin ni Lux kahapon. Hindi kasi ako nakapaghanda, naka-pajama parin ako at maiksi ang sleeves para takpan ang mga pasa.

"Yoko, ano 'to?" His voice was a mix of shock and anger. "Anong nangyari dito?"

I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened slightly. "Dad, it's nothing. Just an accident."

"Accident?!" His voice rose, filled with fury. "Don’t lie to me, Yoko. Umamin ka nga sa'kin. Sinasaktan ka ba ni Lux?"

I bit my lip, looking away, unable to meet his piercing gaze. His face contorted with anger and hurt, and he stood up abruptly, knocking his chair back.

"Yoko, answer me," he demanded, his tone softer but still urgent. Hindi maniniwala si Dad sa akin kahit magsinungaling ako na aksidente lang ang may kagagawan nito.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded slowly. "Yes, Dad."

Huminga s'ya nang malalim, trying to control his temper. "Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi sa'kin? Why didn't you come to me?"

"I didn’t want to cause trouble," I whispered. "Akala ko kaya kong ayusin..."

My father’s face hardened with resolve. "Pack your things, Yoko. You’re coming home with me. This engagement is over."

Nababalot kami ng katahimikan dito sa living room, tanging orasan lang ang maririnig. I sat on the edge of the couch, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. Kanina pa palakad-lakad si Dad, kitang-kita ang galit at pagkadismaya sa mukha n'ya. Every time he passed by the window, he glanced outside, searching for any sign of Lux’s car.

Nilapitan ako ni Dad, lumuhod s'ya sa harap ko at hinawakan ang dalawa kong kamay. "Kung alam ko lang na gano'ng klase pala s'yang tao, hindi na sana ako pumayag," naiiyak na sabi sa'kin ni Dad habang nakatingin nang diretso sa aking mga mata. "I never knew this would happen."