Obnoxious Oxygen

Chapter Twenty Eight

I turned to Oxygen as soon as he pulled out in front of my grandmother's mansion at Bel-Air village where mom is staying. He gave me a look that held patience, I instantly felt guilty. This morning we both found out that we're going to be parents, I could say that I'm not completely happy because I'm scared although I'm thrilled. He suggested that we head out for a checkup and stuff like that, I didn't wanna argue with him because I like that he's concerned to our child but we received a call from Zander saying that mom arrived the other night and this morning, dad told her everything. Mom didn't take it well, as expected. She went hysterical. I had to be there, for her.

"I'm sorry, Oxygen." I bit my bottom lip and lowered my eyes on my lap.

"I understand, Gabby." He reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Gusto mo ba samahan kita sa loob?"

Mabilis akong umiling, this is my family's mess and I don't want Oxygen to be any way involved. "I can do it, for mom. She needs me."

Nakakaunawa siyang tumango bago muling humugot ng marahan na pag-hinga. "Mag-aantay ako dito. Don't stress yourself too much."

I smiled and looked at him, I touched the side of his face and inched up to give his lips a peck. "Thank you."

Nang makababa ako ng sasakyan ay ang siyang pag-bukas ng malaking gate ng kabahayan. Tumingala ako, agad kong natanaw si Zander at si daddy sa balkonahe. Both of them weren't smiling, well, who's brave to break a smile with mom breaking things inside her room.

I went upstairs to meet them. Dad looks like he aged out of stress, he might really be feeling troubled.

"Gabby-"

I held my hand up to stop Zander from talking. "Where's mom?" I need to see her.

"She's in her old room. She's not dealing with it lightly-"

"And you can't expect her to do so." Irap ko bago pareho silang talikuran para puntahan si mommy.

I maybe a bad daughter for not recognizing my father's presence but nah, I just need to see my mommy. Three knocks and she's already screaming and shoving me off.

"Mom, this is Gabby." Hearing her cries made me wanna cry with her, I don't know if pregnancy has something to do with this or it's just the pain I'm carrying in my heart. "Mom, will you let me in? I'm here for you."

A few seconds passed before the knob twisted open. I inhaled softly and stepped in, mentally reminding myself that I have to be strong for my mother now. Zander wasn't exaggerating things, the whole room was a mess.

Even the huge vanity mirror she kept for decades was broken and was shattered into tiny pieces. I was careful on taking my steps, I might trip. I turned to mom, she's sitting in the middle of her bed, the glamorous Camille Synna Velez-Vladislav can't be pictured. I've never seen mom this way before.

She wasn't wailing nor screaming anymore but the silent tears from her eyes were unstoppable as it rolls down her face. Her high cheekbones were sunken. Her eyes were staring out with bewilderment and sadness, it's terrifyingly dim.

"Mom, I'm here..." I climbed up the bed and hugged her.

"I-I'm not strong for this..." she admitted as she held unto my arms like a scared child. "No, I can't accept this. Gabby, this is too much."

I've never been so sad in my life but right now, I could say that my heart is breaking into million pieces for my mom.

"Your dad. He has a son that is not my son."

I didn't say anything simply because I don't know what to say that will make her feel better.

"Who called you?"