Candle of Placid Concussion

Kabanata 72

CASE CLOSED

"I truly and deeply apologize to all of you for everything that I have done..."

Natahimik ang buong korte nang magsalita si Tito Steve. Hindi ako umimik. Nandito pa rin ang lahat pagkatapos opisyal na ipinasara ng punong hukom ang kaso ni Steve.

Kaming mga Okinawa; si Daddy, ako at Hyder. Mga Madriza; si Tyler at Steve. Si Ruther at Tito Harvey ay nandito na rin. Bumuo kami ng circle at doon nag open forum.

"Matagal ka na naming napatawad, Steve. We were not born perfect here, so does this case too. Pamilya ka ni Quendrin at Tyler, Steve. Kung kaya pamilya ka na na rin namin. Everything would really change without you. Sana hindi na maulit lahat ng ito."

Ani Daddy kaya napalingon kaming lahat sakaniya. Walang umimik sa sinabi niya. Pati ang mga abogado sa likod ay nakikinig na rin sa amin. Nakita kong bumuntong hininga si Daddy.

"From the beginning of our lives, Tyler's life.. he suffered a lot. He's too damaged from the start. Lahat tayo nakagawa ng kasalanan sakaniya. Hindi lang ikaw, Steve, kung hindi pati na rin ako. I was such a cruel and selfish Dad to him before. Pinagkait ko siya sa totoo niyang pamilya, sa totoo niyang realidad at sa totoo niyang kalayaan. I made him suffer in a worst way. It's truly my fault in the first place."

Aniya at huminto saglit.

"Kinuha ko siya sa ampunan at ipinagkait sa totoo niyang mga magulang. I let him live in white lies. I was such an evil scumbag indeed. I'm sorry, Steve. I'm sorry, Tyler. Pasensya na anak ha? Nadamay pa kita sa mga kagaguhan ko noon. I'm very sorry for everything, Tyler. You'll always be my good and kindhearted son. I'm very sorry..."

Sabi ni Daddy. Kitang kita ko na ang pamumuo ng luha niya. Yumuko na lamang ako at napasalikop ang daliri. Memories came back again.

"You don't have to be sorry, Yui. Past is past. Alam kong naging mabuti kang ama kay Tyler, sa anak ko... kaya sobra ang pasasalamat ko sayo. Salamat sa pagpapalaki at pag aalaga sakaniya sa loob ng maraming taon. My sincerest gratitude to you, Yui. Kung may tao mang dapat sisihin dito, ako at ako lang 'yon. Nasa akin lahat ng kasamaang ginawa ko. I killed Lolo Esmerald, I killed my grandfather. Our grandfather. Ruther's grandfather.."

Ani Tito Steve. Do I have to say Tito? He is my father before. Do I have the right to speak up again?

"Ruther.. I'm v-very sorry for those sickening deeds that I have done. Alam kong hindi mo na ako mapapatawad kailanman pero gusto kong malaman mo na pinagsisihan ko na lahat. I'm sorry for killing our grandfather. I'm very sorry for being an imperfect brother to you. I'm very sorry, Ruther. Pinagsisihan kong nabuhay pa ako dito sa mundo. Pinagsisihan kong naging mamatay tao pa ako.."

Sabi niya kaya agad akong napalunok at pinigilan ang luha na mamumuo sa aking mga mata. All this time, bakit 'saka pa bumalik ang alaala ko?

My past is freaking worst.

"You know what's harder, Steve? Do you know what? You have forgotten me! You forgotten your own brother! And you know what's worst? You forgotten yourself! I really can't still believe that you coulf kill our grandfather. I can't believe you forgotten me because you changed.. You really did change and I hate the fact that I still love you despite of your changes! Maayos na tayo. Oo, kinakausap na kita kapag binibisita ka namin ni Quendrin dito but hell, I'm sorry. I-I'm just still mad at you."

Bumaling ako kay Ruther na nasa tabi ni Tito Harvey. Napahaplos siya ng mukha. Doon ko napagtantong umiiyak na pala siya. Biglang nanikip ang dibdib ko.

"I'm very sorry, Ruther. Yui... I'm sorry for killing your wife.. I'm sorry for.. fuck! I am really a shit!" Sabi ni Tito Steve at napakagat ang ibabang labi. Pula na rin ang pisngi nito at naiiyak na ang mukha.