Fatal Trouble | Completed

CHAPTER 28

Chapter 28
[Sining by Dionela is now playing]

I was just chilling in my sister Jham's room, inaalala ang lahat kahit wala na siya. As I looked around the room, I saw various photos of her from when she was a child, all the way to pictures of us together. I also saw a photo of her and Noe. Nakayakap sila sa isa't isa habang nakatingin sa camera. They were so happy.

Hinaplos ko ang litrato, mapait akong napangiti. Sinira ko lang ang mga ngiting iyon. Ako ang sumira sa kanila.

Seeing those pictures brought back memories of my sister. I missed her so much. I remembered how she used to make us all laugh with her jokes and how she would always be there for us when we needed her. Kahit na dapat kami ang nandiyan para sa kaniya.

The room felt empty without her vibrant presence, and I wished she was still here with us.

As I sat there, surrounded by these memories, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness mixed with nostalgia. But I also felt grateful for the time we had together, the laughter we shared, and the love that will always bind us as sisters. Binigyan parin naman kami ng pagkakataon na magkasama, hindi bilang kapatid, kung hindi bilang isang mabuting kaibigan.

It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both joy for the memories we created and sorrow for the ones we had lost.

"Erish? Are you there?" Kasabay no'n ang pagkatok sa pintuan. It was Kuya Zack's voice.

"I'm here." Inayos ko agad ang mga litrato at binalik iyon sa lalagyan.

"Can I come in?"

I stood up and opened the door for him myself. "What's the matter, Kuya?"

He hesitated, struggling to open his mouth. "Y-You have some visitors... Downstairs."

"Sino?" Tanong ko.

Tinapik niya ang balikat ko na para bang alam ko na kung sino sila. I felt a mix of fear and joy as I wondered if it was indeed them. I turned to my brother, my lips trembling. He nodded again, as if to say it's okay.

Iniwan niya ako sa kuwarto at sinabing sumunod na lang. Bumaling ako sa ibang direksyon habang kagat ang dulo ng darili. Ready na ba akong harapin silang lahat? I wonder what Noe's reaction will be. Has she forgiven me? Is she still angry with me? Ang dami kong tanong sa utak. I'm worried, what if it triggers my memory again and my trauma come back. Hindi na ako tulad ng dati. Hindi na ako malakas.

Nilakasan ko ang loob ko at pilit na tinanggal ang mga iniisip.

As I walked downstairs, all I could hear was the beating of my heart and the sound of my slippers hitting the floor. Nauna ko silang nasilayan. Nakatalikod sila ngunit nang makalapit na ako'y sabay-sabay silang humarap. Many pairs of eyes turned in my direction as I made my way down the stairs.

"U-Uhm..." Bago pa ako makapagsalita, mabilis pa sa hangin ay inunahan na nila ako agad ng yakap.

"Rob!"

"Erish!"

"A-Ate..."

"F-Fin... Dreg, A-Arc... I'm so sorry," My emotions finally burst, and tears streamed down my face as I hugged and clung to their shoulders. "P-Patawad. P-Patawarin niyo ako."

"R-Rob, huwag. H'wag mong sabihin 'yan..." Arc whispered.

"A-Ate, kami ang patawarin mo. Iniwan kita, Ate. Hindi kita naipagtanggol. I'm so sorry," he sobbed.

"H-Hindi, Fin. Pabigat ako sa grupo. Isa akong pabaya. Ako ang nanghila sa inyo pababa," I admitted, my voice filled with regret.

Hinawakan ni Arc ang magkabilang pisngi ko at pinagmasdan ako ng mabuti. "Erish, Listen to me. Everything is over. Stop blaming yourself. Akala ko ba malaya na tayo? Y-You see... Dreg is already married. I am starting a new life, and Fin, he's fulfilling his dreams. And you... nakabalik ka na sa pamilya mo, nabawi mo na sila."