Come On, Make Me (COMPLETED)

Epilogue

#COMM

Epilogue

Time has passed since that day, but I still couldn't forget what I did—what I bargained to get this life that I wanted for my family...

"Nathan?" I asked. "Who's this Nathan?"

Everyone in the room was silent.

It almost felt like everyone was in on the secret except me...

"Is that it?" Abuelo asked.

Jasper's mom nodded. "He already suffered enough. I say we give them what they want and call it a night."

I was slowly feeling the frustration building inside me. No one was answering my question! Who the fuck was that Nathan? Bakit kailangang lumaya siya bago ako tigilan ni Justin?! Wala naman akong ginagawa sa hayop na 'yun!

"Who's Nathan? And why does he have to get out for Justin to stop bothering me?"

Everyone's attention went to me. I was breathing deeply. This was so frustrating.

"Okay, let's give them what they want," Abuela answered, ignoring my question.

"What the hell?! Are you all really going to ignore me?!" hindi ko napigilan na sigaw sa kanila. I didn't care anymore if they'd think that I was disrespectful, but this concerned me! Bakit kailangan ni Nathan na maka-labas sa kulungan? He's in jail, so must've done something wrong! The idea of him being free because of me didn't sit well with my conscience!

"Ma? Pa?" I asked, but even them could only give me a pitied look. Fuck this politics!

"Sweetie," Jasper's mom said, "It's either this or Justin continues to bother you. You can't get both. This is how the world works."

Everyday, I tried to ignore that nagging feeling inside me. Naka-nood ko sa bawat paggalaw ng kaso ni Nathan. I watched as he got out of jail. I watched as a woman cried while Nathan got back his freedom.

All because I was selfish enough to choose myself.

I wanted to forget it.

I wanted to get rid of this guilt.

I wanted to at least alleviate it.

"Mommy, where are you going?" JJ asked as I put a folder inside my bag. There was a name there—Kieran Ramirez.

I smiled at him. "Mommy's meeting someone."

JJ nodded innocently, unaware of everything that happened. And I wanted it to stay that way. At least, for him.

"Okay," he said, nodding and smiling. "Jeanne's performance starts at 3pm," he reminded.

I laughed. "Of course I wouldn't miss your sister's ballet performance," I said, tousling his hair. Sobrang protective ni JJ sa kapatid niya. I love seeing him all protective. Habang lumalaki si JJ, mas lalo niyang nagiging kaugali ang tatay niya. But I hope that he wouldn't go to military like his dad... ikamamatay ko yata ang pag-aalala.

I quickly went out after I grabbed everything. I didn't tell Jasper that I'd be doing this... heck, I didn't tell anything that after all these years, it was still bothering me so badly.

My whole body was trembling as I made way to the coffee shop. Mabilis kong iniayos ang suot ko. No one could know that it's me. I didn't want to start a fight with the Ramirez again, but I also couldn't sleep at night knowing that another innocent woman was being used as a pawn in this stupid game.