Stolen Heart

Kabanata 45

Phoenix

God knows how furious I was when Francine hurt my daughter and Quiana. If my mother and father raised me in a wrong way- baka ano na nagawa ko sa kanya!

I thought everything are on its proper places. Akala ko handa na lahat, akala ko wala ng problema. I was about to ask Quiana to marry me... ON THAT DAY... ON THAT DAY, Bern called me and told me what happened to Queen.

God knows how mad I was! God knows how I want to see Francine and show her how angry I am!

Bern told me that Quiana collapsed. I don't want her to know what happened to Queen. Ayaw kong ipaalam sa kanya ang mga nangyyari! I can handle this. Kung ako ang kailangan ni Francine, magpapakita ako sa kanya. Wag niya lang idamay ang pamilya ko.

I was the dumbest man alive when I asked Quiana what kind of mother is she. God knows how I regret saying those fucking words to her!

She is the best mother for Queen. I can also feel how she loves Queen so much. Iyong kahit pagtulog na lang ni Queen ay tinititigan niya ito at parang iiyak siya sa saya.

I went to meet the investigator. Sabi niya may lead na daw siya kung nasaan si Francine, and he said na may mga kasama itong lalaki.

I excused myself when mom called me. I told her to stay in the house para bantayan si Quiana. Ayaw kong madamay si Quiana. It's not being selfish- I am just assuring that she will be safe. If Francine only wants me, then I am willing to give up my own life just to protect Queen and Quiana.

"Phoenix! Si Quiana lumabas! Nagmamadali! Bilisan mo! Sinusundan namin siya ngayon! Sobrang bilis ng sasakyan niya. Phoenix!" hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin. Tumayo kaagad ako at tumakbo papunta sa parking lot.

Damn it!

While driving I called daddy to prepare the people we hired. Napasuntok naman ako sa manibela ng nag stop ang traffic light.

"Fuck it!" mura ko.

I called mom while waiting for the damn time.

"Phoenix... Hindi na namin mahanap ang sasakyan ni Francine..." naiiyak niyang sabi.

"I'll track her..." kinakabahan na ako. Ayaw kong masaktan sila ni Francine na dalawa.

I turned Francine into a monster and I should be the one facing the consequences, hindi ang mag-ina ko.

Parang nawalan ako ng buhay ng binaril siya ni Francine.

"QUIANA!" I called and stood up. Kahit sobrang hirap tumayo ay ginawa ko. Parang matutumba na ako ng binaril siya ulit ni Francine.

People came to held Francine.

Queen was shocked. She looked at Quiana and she cried harder. She held Quiana and shook her and I did too.

Damn, baby... Stay still, please. You are not going to die. I will still marry you! You will be turning into a Ferguson! We will going to build our happy family! We need to see our children growing up! We will grow old together!

"Tell me, Nix... Am I enough now being a mother? I deserve now being a mother? I saved, Queen. I saved our daughter. Hindi ko siya pinabayaan...." she asked me and God knows how hurtful it was.

"Phoenix..." mom called me. "I called Meredith and Zeke about what happened. Bukas pa ang dating nila." I just nodded.

I was sitting and looking at the emergency room. I covered my face with my both hands, and I felt mommy hugged me.