It Was Always You (Published)

Chapter 52

D W I G H T

I could feel the searing pain after I punched the wall. I cursed as I sat on my bed. I couldn't accept that I haven't done anything to protect her and the fact that I would have to leave her again! I am so fucked up right now.

Furious at my own weakness, I leaned my back and stared at the empty luggage in front of me. After everything that I've done, hindi ko inaakala na dito na naman pala ako babagsak. But I have no right to complain because I'm doing this only and because of her.

I was about to grab some clothes when light, impetuous, and seemingly buoyant steps were heard at the door. My jaw tightened. Hindi na ako tumayo upang pagbuksan siya ng pinto.

My grandfather scanned my room. "Are you done? We're leaving tomorrow."

"As you can see, I am still packing some of my clothes," I said and my eyes flashed a warning.

In that moment, I was certain I saw something in his eyes, but I'm not quite sure what it was... Tumayo ako para kunin ang iba ko pang mga damit na nakapatong sa study table. Grandfather followed me.

"Nag-usap kami ng babae na 'yon kanina."

I instantly turned around to face him. "What do you mean?"

"We went to that restaurant to clarify some things. Mukhang nakuha niya naman ang gusto kong iparating," tumawa si Lolo na para bang nakakatuwa ang ginawa niya.

I clenched my fists and I drew a deep breath. Sino siya para gawin iyon? At bakit hindi sinabi sa akin ni Tania?

"Whatever you say, she's not afraid of you," I said, a touch of humor lurked in his eyes.

Nahihimigan ko na may gusto pa siyang sabihin sa akin kaya nagsalita ulit ako.

"Why are you still here? I'm not going to escape. I can never escape while your goons are here."

I threw my shoes in the bed. I am crazy, but my grandfather is crazier than me. Hindi ko maintidihan kung bakit niya ba kami pinapahirapan. Come on! I did what he wanted! I attended some business meetings to close a deal. I even dated Elara for Pete's sake!

"You are planning to escape, don't you?" Ako naman ang tumawa sa sinabi niya.

I faced my grandfather. Minsan ko na rin siyang tiningala noon, pero sobra na itong ginagawa niya sa akin—sa amin ni Tania.

"Kung gusto ko nang mamatay, gagawin ko. But I have to stay alive for the love of my life."

He walked towards the bedside table and he grabbed the picture frame. Iyon ang litrato namin ni Tania sa garden noong araw na muntik ko nang aminin na mahal ko siya.

"Ginawa mo ang lahat ng ipinagawa ko sa 'yo para makasama mo ang babae na ito, hindi ba? Para payagan ko na kayong dalawa?"

I soon heard the destruction of the picture frame when it hit the floor. Sa kagustuhan kong magwala ay sinuntok ko ulit ang pader. I didn't mind the pain because the anger started to rose inside me.

Using his finger, Lolo pointed me. "Tama ba ako, Dwight? Ginawa mo ang lahat nang 'yon para makasama mo na ang babae na 'yon? Akala ko ba matalino ka? Kung matalino ka, hindi mo hahayaang mapansin ko iyon!"

Every fiber of my body warned me not to respond, but this is just too much. I was tired, I was vexed, I hardly knew what the fuck is going on that I had to accept all of this from him.

I stroked my hair and I looked directly into his eyes. It's now or never...

"Do you know that for once in my life, I looked up to you because you are one of those greatest achievers in the world that I wished I could be someday?" My grandfather pressed his lips and he looked away.