The Demon Inside Me

Chapter 34: Just That

Chapter 34: Just That

"Gramps is dying..." Mahinang sabi ni Zhie na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"He asked us to bring you home..." I can't believe what Clyde just said.

"He wanted his family complete before he... ehem." Reid can't even complete his sentence.

"We're sorry. We just did what we thought was right." Brylle's voice was shaking.

"Bakit hindi niyo nalang sinabi? Bakit kailangan ganto pa?"

Lumingon si Saph samin. Huminga siya ng malalim bago lumapit. "Baka kasi hindi ka pumayag kaya ganto nalang. Its a dying wish Leigh. We can't ignore a dying man's wish. Specially gramps."


Nakarating kami agad sa mansyon. I'm excited to see my brothers but I'm also scared to know how gramps is. Medyo nakakagulat lang. Last time na dumalaw siya sa NYC masigla pa siya. That was just a month ago. Ang bilis naman...

"Leigh..." Malungkot na bati ni kuya Chaze.

"He wants to see you." Pambungad ni kuya Charles matapos nila akong yakapin. "We'll take care of the kids." They smiled bitterly.

"Ayaw ka sana naming biglain pero marami ka pang hindi alam. We know you're tough. But you need to prepare yourself Leigh..." Makahulugan ang bawat bigkas ni kuya Chaze ng mga salita niya. It was like he's scared that he might break me through the wrong use of his words.

"I'm a tigress, remember?" I tried to sound cool but I failed. My voice cracked. Yumuko ako bago tahimik na naglakad papunta sa kwarto ni Gramps. I knocked three times before opening the door.

"Hija." One word made him gasp for air. How can I talk to him this way? I can't even bare seeing him at this state. There are wires and tubes connected to his body.

"Gramps why? You were fine... You... You were..." The past five years of my life taught me how a normal person lives. I cried, I laughed. I frowned, I smiled. There are good times and there are bad ones. Life is a mixture of drama and other genres. And now I just wish that my life was just a movie. That it wasn't real. That it was all just for show.

"Don't c-cry." His voice trailed off. He said those words while shaking his head. I love gramps so much. So much that it hurts even just seeing him like this. I don't wanna think about losing him, hibdi ko kaya but seeing him at this state? He looks hopeless... "Al..ways s-smile." He smiled and that only made me cry harder.

"Gramps, you're strong. You're a m-mafia leader. You should be shouting and ordering y-your guys. Not like this. Not... Not just. Gramps come on!" He opened his arms, but it fell. He's too weak. I'm so frustrated. This is so frustrating. I just want to let it all out. I want Him to know that it hurts. Even for a demon like me. Kasi kahit na demonyo nasasaktan.

"AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGRRRRRHHHHHH!!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Before I broke down. I landed on my knees but I don't seem to feel anything. Not even the aching of my bones.

I heard the door open. Nagsipasukan sila. I can't see them but I know they are all worried. I just hate seeing my loved ones hurt. Specially the ones that had been there for me through thick and thin.

"Leigh..." Kuya Chaze's voice was shaking. I looked up only to see their eyes filled with pain. The same pain that burdens me right now. Yung sakit sa pag-aalala. Sakit na ikinakatakot mo.

"L-leigh, I-I'll be f-fine..." Pabulong na sabi ni lolo na dahilan kung bakit lahat kami napatingin sa kanya. He catched his breath before he spoke again. "Rance is a great d-doctor."

"He is gramps. He is." Kuya Chaze helped me to stand but my legs are wobbly. Kusang bumibigay ito. Inipon ko ang lakas ko at binitawan na ang kamay ni kuya.