DARK GANG

Chapter 142: Draw

[Draw]

GAVIN'S P. O. V

Naglalakad-lakad ako sa tabing-dagat nang makita ko sina Papa at Rance. Masaya silang nag-uusap. I was sure Rance had said something ridiculous. Only he and his mom could make Dad laugh like that.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Rance. HIndi nawala ang ngiti sa labi niya at nagtaas ng kamay. "Kuya, halika rito!"

Dad turned towards me too, still smiling. I quickly averted my gaze, my chest tightening as I approached them.

"Napanood ng mga pamilya natin kanina 'yung performance natin no'ng JS prom. Pinanood pala sa kanila ni Tita Aurora! Nagmana si Zai kay tita sa pagiging maloko!" He laughed heartily.

Before I could say something, Jax's voice echoed from a short distance away. "Kuya Rance, Ate's calling you!"

We all glanced in Jax's direction. Rance waved back and called out, "Okay, okay!" He turned to me and Dad. "I'll leave you guys now-"

"I'll come with you," I cut in, already starting to walk. I noticed the sadness in Rance's eyes, but he nodded, understanding. I placed a hand on him shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze before moving past him.

"Gavin."

Nahinto ako sa paglalakad. The sound of Dad's voice behind me sent a familiar ache through my chest. Nilingon ko siya. Hindi ko magawang ibuka ang bibig ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat sabihin sa kaniya dahil magmula nang mamulat ako sa sitwasyon namin ni mommy sa buhay niya, wala ng magandang lumabas sa bibig ko sa tuwing nagkakausap kaming dalawa.

"Stay. Let's talk, son," he said, his tone softer than I had ever heard.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko habang nakatitig sa kaniya. Rance stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Stay, Kuya," he whispered before walking away, leaving the two of us alone.

Dad took a deep breath. "I didn't love your mom," he began. "But believe it or not, I tried. Love just... can't be forced, son. But no matter what, I love you. You're my flesh and blood. You're important to me, just like Rance and Gigi are."

Siguro nga ngayon na ang tamang panahon para magkausap kami nang masinsinan at walang sigawan para magkaintindihan at magkalinawan.

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice steady. "You say you love me, that I matter to you. But admit it-Rance and Gigi will always mean more to you because they're the children of the woman you truly love." I braced myself for his response, knowing it would tear me apart even though I'd prepared for it for years.

He slowly nodded, confirming the truth I'd already known. A bitter smile tugged at the corners of my lips, and I looked away, my heart aching. "Thanks for finally answering," I muttered. "You've given me the answer I've been waiting for all this time."

"Yes, you're right," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that was all in the past."

His words caught me off guard. I snapped my gaze back at him, confusion swirling in my mind. "W-what do you mean by that?"

"I've been trying to reach out to you for a long time now," he continued, stepping closer. "I wanted to hold you tight, just like I do with your siblings. But by the time I realized it, you were already so distant. You stopped calling me 'Dad'."

Bahagyang umawang ang labi ko sa ginawa niyang pag-amin. His words echoed in my head. Shaking my head, I laughed bitterly. "I was scared of getting hurt again," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I got tired. I have every right to be tired, don't I?"

He nodded, biting his lower lip as his eyes filled with regret. "Naiintindihan ko." His voice wavered as he closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly. "But can you give me a chance? Let your father make things right?"