Unmasking The Waves Deception (Published Under Flutter Fic)

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

"BEHAVE, Zeijan!" My Mom's voice roared. Biglang napaupo si Daddy mula sa akmang pagtayo.

"But, Alyx–"

"Sit!" Tumiim ang panga niya.

"I am not a dog!" Sumimangot si Daddy, seryoso. But my mom only eyed him pointedly, shooting her brow up.

"May sinasabi ka, Sandejas?" She asked coldly. My Dad gulped, binasa niya ang labi niya at huminga ng malalim bago mabilis na umiling.

"No, sorry..." My Dad surrendered.

My Mom heaved a deep breath before brushing her hair.

"Ano bang nangyayari?" she asked sharply and looked at us. I was beside Wave, nililinis ko ang sugat niya mula sa suntok ni Daddy.

"It's nothing, baby," ani dad.

"Is it about that article?" ani Mommy na ikinagulat ni Kuya at Dad. Naibaba ko ang cotton na hawak mula sa mukha ni Wave para pakinggan sila.

"How did you know?" My father was shocked. "It's nothing–"

"You think you can hide this from me?" Matalim na sabi niya sa dalawa. Dad sighed.

"Baby, I was just trying to protect you and Zire, we don't want you stressing about this," mahinahon na sagot ni Dad.

"Zeijan, that was my daughter!" Mom exclaimed. "I don't mind stressing for her!"

"Yes, sorry." My Dad tried calming her down. "Saan mo nalaman?"

"You might be forgetting who I am, Sandejas," ani Mommy sa madilim na ekspresyon. "You know I won't let this issue slide, lalo na kapag kasama ang pamilya ko."

Napabuntonghininga ako at naramdaman ang titig sa 'kin kaya napasulyap ako kay Wave na pinapanuod lang ako. My heart raced when I read the loneliness in his gaze and to try and ignore the pit on my stomach, nag-iwas ako.

"What is it? That new article with her name in it?" ani Mommy.

"Yes." Kuya Zion sighed. "She was being set up again, My."

Tumikhim ako. I fought the urge to look at Wave. I was ashamed of myself.

For a journalist, I was shitty. Really dumb and shitty.

"We already took care of that bitch, Kierra, months ago. Who is it this time?" Mariing tanong ni Mom.

Hindi muna sila magsalita.

"Go, Zire, gamutin mo muna ang sugat niyan," Ate Sibyl whispered beside me. I nodded. Bahagyang tumagilid ako ulit at pilit na iniowasan ang mga mata ni Wave pero inabot ko ang baba niya para maiangat.

I would put ointments on his bruise, feeling bad and sorry. Sinabihan ko na kasi ang kulit! Paano pag nagka-scar? E, modelo pa naman!

He flinched a little when I first laid my finger on his bruise. Nahawakan niya ang kamay ko mula sa pisngi niya kaya kumalabog ang puso ko.

I lifted my head, nagkatinginan kami.

"Zirena," My Dad called stiffly. "Fix that man, pauwiin mo na."

Mabilis kong nakuha ang kamay ko kay Wave at mahinang tumango.

"Just an hour ago," ani Kuya. "I looked over the publisher of that newspaper and obviously, Zire wasn't associated with them."

"Zire won't settle for a low-class publisher like that. Seriously? Writing an article using other people's names? To what? Para siraan siya? That's unprofessional!" Ate Sibyl exclaimed.