Love You Through Blood and Time (Editing)

Kabanata 7

I covered my ears while shaking my head helplessly as if it will stop the surging memories in my mind. But, they wont. They kept coming to me like crushing waves that might destroy me soon. They were like recorded video in my brain. Vivid and soundly. They kept on repeating and repeating.

My whole body is shaking from fear. I am covered by sweat even my room was air-conditioned. Walang tigil ang pagpatak ng aking luha dahil sa takot just like that night back then. Gabing musmos na bata pa lang ako at walang nagawa kundi umiyak.

Tinanggal ko ang aking mga kamay sa pagkakatakip sa magkabilang tenga ko at kinuyom ang mga ito nang mahigpit sa ngayong hinahawakan ko ng bed sheet. Too hard that I can see my knuckles turned white. Pagkababa ng aking kamay, I let the memories to flashed through me freely. Kahit ayaw ko, I still can't do anything. Don't be a coward, Kia. You're not like this.

We were at the family table that night eating our already late dinner. It was just the two of us- my mom and me. Tulad ng mga ibang araw, hindi na naman namin kasabay si Daddy sa hapagkainan. He was too busy with his work.

Naputol ang matahimik na pagkain namin nang may narinig kaming nabasag. The small version of me instantly run to the back of my mom. It was a pot of bonsai near our window that had been broken.

Hindi pa ako kumakalma at ang aking ina nang may lumitaw na isang lalaki. A man in his early thirties wearing a black long sleeves and slacks. Mukha siyang pupunta sa isang business venture to close a deal. Not even literally, but yes he was there to close a deal between life and death.

Humigpit ang hawak ni mama sa aking mga kamay at pilit akong itinago sa kaniyang likod. Biglang nawala ang lalaki sa kaniyang kinatatayuan. Agad itong napunta sa harapan ni mama at ngumisi. A devilish smirk. I can feel the shaking of my mom's body.

Tahimik man ang buong paligid at walang nagsasalita ni isa sa aming tatlo, ramdam pa rin ang tensyon at takot sa paligid. My mom stiffened when the man moved closer. Inilapit niya ang kaniyang ilong sa leeg ni mama na tila may inaamoy.

Lumayo ng kaunti ang lalaki at humalakhak na parang demonyong galing sa impyerno. ''I can smell your fear, Lina.'' Napahawak pa ang lalaki sa kaniyang tiyan na tila nakakatawa ang kaniyang sinabi. He liked it when someone fears him.

Muling lumapit ang lalaki sa bandang leeg ni mama. Now, I can see his face more clearly. Lumipat ang tingin niya kay mama na humihikbi na at hindi na nakapagsalita mula ng dumating ang lalaki. Who is this man? Gusto kong itanong iyan ngunit my small version knew it will make our situation more dangerous.

Napailing ang lalaki. ''Don't be scared, Lina. I'm just checking out your daughter. How angelic her face is.'' Napa-tsk ang lalaki. Mas lalong hinigpitan ni mama ang hawak niya sa akin. Napaatras kami. ''Like you in her age. But look now, you become a demonic angel.''

''Huwag mong gagalawin ang anak ko.'' For the first time, my mom said. Warning was etched in her voice. Unang beses kong narinig ang tonong ito mula sa kaniya.

Ngumiti ang lalaki. ''Oh, then you would what?'' He said in mocked fear.

Hindi pa man nakakasagot si mama, bigla ko na lamang naramdaman ang kamay niya sa mukha ko. He was caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. There was something different in his touch. It's like unhuman.