Fatal Trouble | Completed

EPILOGUE

Epilogue

My dad cheated on my mom. I found out I have a sister and I'm four years younger than her. I want to be happy, but I can't because I see my mom crying because of what Daddy did to her.

"D-Dad, you're going with me, right?" I innocently asked, hoping he'd say yes.

"Hyde, I'm busy. Magpasama ka nalang sa mommy mo," malamig na sabi niya, hindi manlang ako binigyan ng pansin.

"Busy sa babae mo! You can't even spare some time for your son? What kind of father are you? Alam mo mabuti pa, Ricardo, maghiwalay na lang tayo. I can't even look at you, you fucking cheater," my mother spat, her voice laced with anger.

"Can you please stop, Amelia!? I don't have a mistress," simpleng sagot ng ama ko.

"May anak ka na nga sa iba, i-dedeny mo pa! You've got some nerve to say that, Ricardo. Hindi kita pinakasalan para gaguhin ako ng gan'to!"

I covered my ears, trying to block out their angry voices. I didn't want to see them fight.

"Pagkakamali lang iyon at matagal na 'yong nangyari, Amelia. H'wag mong ibahin ang usapan parati. Nahihibang ka na!" Padabog na isinarado ni dad ang pinto, at iniwan kaming dalawa.

I wanted them to come to Family Day with me, but they were too busy arguing. Then, they just left.  I was all alone. It felt like they forgot about me.

Isang araw habang wala si mommy sa bahay, dinala niya ang kapatid ko sa bahay.
She was a wisp of a girl, pale, thin, and with the warm brown skin that she clearly inherited from her mother. She didn't look a bit like Dad. She was shy at first, almost afraid to meet my eyes, but I couldn't help but smile at her. I was the one who approached her, the one who made the first move. 

"Hi, what's your name?" I asked softy. Tinitigan niya lang ako.

It felt wrong to feel so drawn to her, knowing she was the result of Dad's betrayal. Sinaktan niya si mommy. Sinira niya ang pamilya namin. But she was my dream come true. I never wanted to be an only child. I want someone to share my life with, and she was here, standing before me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection that I hadn't known before.

"It's okay, Joyce. Siya ang kuya mo." Lumuhod si Dad sa harap niya.

I smiled at her again, "H'wag kang matakot, Joyce. Do you want to play with me? I-I'm your kuya Hyde..."

She soon warmed up to me, a shy smile slowly blooming on her face, "K-Kuya H-Hyde... Hi, p-po."

My smile widened when she finally spoke, a tiny voice like wind chimes. I couldn't wait any longer.

"Come on," I said, tugging her hand toward my room, "I'll show you my toys!"

Her eyes lit up with curiosity as I showed her my collection, and I knew, with a surge of hope, that we were going to be good close to each other.

Dahil sa pagkalibang ko sa kapatid ko hindi ko namalayan ang pagdating ni mommy. Her smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. Her eyes widened, filled with a fury I didn't understand, as she spotted Joyce in my room. It was like she'd seen a ghost. 

"B-Bakit nandito ang batang ito, Hyde!? Halika nga dito! Hampaslupang anak sa labas!" she grabbed my sister's arm, her grip tight, almost painful, and dragged her out of the room, ignoring my sister's whimpers of protest.

Sinubukan kong humabol at pigilan si mommy pero hindi ko siya kaya, "Mommy! Mommy, don't hurt her! She's my sister!"

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. "What did you s-say?"