ANYTHING FOR YOU

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Cassandra's POV

I glanced at my watch. It's 6:45pm. I hope nasa loob ng bahay na to si Dad. I didn't knocked. Pumasok ako agad at bumungad sakin ang malungkot at nakakasakal na aura ng bahay.

Nung papunta palang ako dito, grabeng kaba na ang nararamdaman ko.

I looked around. The big family picture on the living room, wala na. Pati ang ibang picture frames. Hinalughog ko rin yung lagayan ng mga pictures at photo album sa cabinet. Wala na din.

"Cassandra?" looking behind, I saw Dad. Medyo magulo ang buhok niya, pumayat. Nagmukha siyang matanda. Hindi ako sanay ng ganyan siya. My dad always looked so powerful but now, seeing him like this. I felt pain stabbed my heart.

Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Gahd! Anong ginawa niya sayo. "You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't be." his voice cracked. He hugged me tighter.

"Dad, anong ginawa niya?! Where the hell is she?" My hands shaking while cupping my dad's face and hugged him again. He put his index finger on his lips. "Shh. She's upstairs."

He pulled me outside the house. Pumunta kami sa likod ng bahay at doon nagusap.

"I broke up with your Mom. I'm scared. Scared that she'll harm her. I sent you away from here because it's not safe-- I don't know what to do." He brushed his hands through his hair

"We'll get you out of here." I said then pulled his hands

Tinanggal niya iyon at hinarap ako. "Listen Cassandra, I don't want you to get hurt. Go now,I'll stay here."

"Do you think staying here will make things better?" I raised my voice. Bakit ba siya nagkakaanto? I know him as a brave, tough man. But now, mukha siyang batang takot na takot.

"I'm staying here because I know this is the only way to make you, your Mom and Zachi safe." he said while looking straight to my eyes. Trying to convince me.

"No Dad. You listen to me, I'll get you out of here, and we'll be safe. Okay?" Mukha namang nakumbinsido ko siya at umayos siya ng tayo.

"Walang aalis."

Shit! She's here! We're caught. She's standing just steps away from us with a gun in her hand and glaring at us. My body shaken with fear. I've never felt so frightened like this. I know in just one wrong move, we're dead.

"Magenta, don't." Dad steped in front of me. Blocking me from her. Her eyes softened when she saw Dad. "Don't." he said almost whispering.

"Dad, come on." tawag ko sakanya. Magenta's eyes are still on us. When we begin to step our feet, Magenta pulled the trigger and fired close to us. "Ah!" I screamed

"Hindi mo siya pwedeng kunin saken! Mamamatay muna ako!" Then she gunned again twice.

Fuck! She's so fucking insane! She's really out of her mind! I should've planned this! Nakinig nalang sana ako kay Zachi na hindi muna ako pumunta dito.

I saw tears falling on Dad's eyes. He's crying, scared, worried, but he inhaled deeply and ran towards Magenta and grabbed her hands. "Cassandra! Go! Run!" he shouted.

Without second thoughts, I ran out of the house. Out of the gate then back to my car. I started the engine and drifted fast to get away from that house.

My tears falling from my cheeks. Is this what you call Love? Magagawa mo ba ang gantong bagày pag mahal mo ang isang tao? Kaya mo bang pumatay para sa taong mahal mo?

I'll come back. Babalik ako at kukunin si Dad. I'll make sure that crazy woman will rot in jail.

I parked on the side of the highway. Lumabas ako. I stared at the dark sky. It's so dark. Kahit ang buwan hindi ko makita.