HIDING HIS DAUGHTER (UNDER EDITING)

CHAPTER 3

ANGELA'S POV

Seven months na... grabe, exactly seven months na simula nung dumating ako dito sa US, at to be honest? Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit kailangan kong mapunta rito. "Nandito ako ngayon sa US, wala akong magawa dahil sinabi na ni Kuya Adrian," I whispered to myself, my voice so soft lang na parang nawawala sa tahimik na kwarto. Cream yung kulay ng pader-so pretty daw nila sabi-pero ngayon, parang nakakulong lang ako sa isang magandang hawla na walang susi. Parang ibon lang ako na pinakulong kahit hindi naman ako nagkasala.

This decision na ginawa ni Kuya Adrian... hindi ko talaga maintindihan. My older brothers-Kuya Alvin at Kuya Anthony-sila talaga nag-protesta ng sobra. I saw Kuya Alvin nun na hinampas niya yung dining table, his voice breaking habang sinasabi kay Kuya Adrian na walang puso siya. Kuya Anthony even threatened na pupuntahan niya ako dito at ibabalik ako sa Pinas pero in the end, lahat ng sinabi nila nawala lang parang usok. Kasi ang salita ni Kuya Adrian, batas yun sa amin-parang pader na hindi mo kayang sirain kahit anong gawin mo. Wala akong nagawa kahit na lumuhod ako at humiling na baka pwede akong umuwi.

I placed both hands on my big belly, feeling a tiny kick against my palm, and forced a smile to my lips. "Malapit ka nang lumabas, baby girl. Malapit mo nang makita ang ganda ng mundo," I said, my words coming straight from the deepest part of my heart-dasal na sana talagang maganda yung mundo na tatanggap sa'yo. I hope she doesn't get the stubborn streak my brothers have... pero kung meron man, sana gamitin mo yun para hindi ka maapi ng sinuman. Sometimes I talk to her for hours, telling her about the mango trees, how we'd climb up and eat until our cheeks were sticky and sweet. Those were the days when I felt free. Now? I just feel heavy-like there's a boulder sitting right on my chest.

Earlier today, I managed to sneak out of the house while my yaya-yes, Kuya Adrian hired someone to watch over me 24/7-was busy talking on the phone. I took an Uber to the park a few blocks away, and when I sat down on a wooden bench, my eyes immediately locked onto the greenery around me. The tall oak trees, the bright pink roses blooming along the walkway, the little butterflies dancing from flower to flower-everything reminded me of home, of how much I love being close to nature. Dito lang ako nakakahanap ng kapayapaan, I thought to myself, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath of fresh air. But even here, the peace never lasts long.

I pressed my hand sa dibdib ko, naramdaman ko yung puso ko na parang sinasakal ng init. Lumabas yung mapait na ngiti sa labi ko habang dumating yung mga alaala ni Jaiden-my ex-boyfriend, kung pwede ko pa sabihing ganon. I remember how he'd show up sa university ko with bouquet ng white roses tuwing Friday, paano niya hawak ang kamay ko habang naglalakad kami sa baywalk, bulong ng mga pangakong parang langit. "Hindi kita iiwan, Angela. Kahit anong mangyari, tayo lang dalawa hanggang huli." Those words dati parang nagpapalipad sa akin sa langit. Ngayon? Parang bula lang sila-maganda pero mabilis lang mawawala.

Nakita ako ni Kuya Adrian nun sa sahig ng kwarto ko, hawak ang phone parang iyon lang yung nagpapalakas sa akin. Dun niya na-desisyon na ipadala nga ako dito-to "keep me safe" daw niya sabi. Pero para sa akin, parang tinatago niya ako.

"Nakangiti ka pero may lungkot sa mata mo."

The voice came from behind me, and I froze for a second before turning my head. It was a man-Pilipino siya, naririnig ko naman sa boses niya- and he was already walking toward me, his hands in his jeans pockets. There was something calm about him, something that made me feel like he wasn't going to hurt me.