Change Me

Chapter 21: Unfolded II

Jason was in a hurry. He was excited to tell his dad that he got the highest score sa exam nila. For a seven-year-old like himself, it was a great achievement.

"Dad!" tawag nito sa dad nya habang hinuhubad ang sapatos at medyas na suot nya. He called his dad again but still, there was no response.

Nagtaka sya kung bakit wala ang dad nya. Sinisigurado naman nito palagi na makakauwi ito ng maaga tuwing Biyernes dahil alam nitong dito sya uuwi to spend time with him until Sundays.

He decided to walk upstairs. "Dad?" kinatok nya ang pinto ng kwarto ng dad nya pero napansin nyang 'di naman ito naka-lock nang umatras ito ng konti. Tuluyan nyang binuksan ito, revealing his dad, sitting there, tied up in a chair, tape covering his mouth.

Agad syang lumapit rito ang tinanggal ang tape sa bibig nito. "Hey buddy," Justin tried to talk as calm as he could.

"D-dad," a now crying and scared Jason whimpered.

"Hey, look at me." Justin tried again, trying to get his son's attention. "You'll be fine, ok?" He was suddenly having this difficulty in breathing at sumasakit na ang nakatali nyang mga kamay pero 'di nya ito pinansin. "Ngayon gusto kong makinig ka sa mga sasabihin ko. I want you to run and go to your grandma's house. Kung makita mo si mommy, magpatuloy ka lang sa pagtakbo, ok? At wag kang titigil. Pretend you didn't saw her, ok?" he instructed. "I want you to do it now. Now, run!"

"B-but dad," Jason was now trying to set him free from the ropes, his tiny hands shaking. "Iaalis k-kita dito," he sobbed.

Justin's heart broke hearing his son. His lips reached his forehead, causing him to stop moving. "I love you, buddy. I always will." he whispered. "But I want you to listen to what I'm saying, ok? You have to-"

"Dad, I'm not leaving you. Iaalis kita dito. Isasama kita kay Lolo at Lola. Isusumbong ko kay mommy kung sino man ang umaway sayo at-"

"Damn Jason, I said run! Now! Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo mo?!" he screamed. Looking at his son's reaction, he could tell he was hurt. He never screamed at the kid pero sa sitwasyon na kinalalagyan nya ngayon, wala na syang pakealam. He wanted to get his son away from danger as soon as he could. He would never risk his son's safety even if it meant screaming at his very face and hurting his feelings.

He realized how insane Yvonne was. Nagawa nya ngang gawin 'to sa kanya kahit mahal sya nito. Ngayong alam nya na ang pagkatao nito, posibleng saktan nito si Jason.

Humikbi ito, tears crawling down his cheeks. Justin badly wanted to kiss his son's tears away, to hold him and to stop his pain but he chose not to. "Ano?" he spat. "Ano pa bang hinihintay mo, ha?! Bilis!" he hissed, playing the bad guy.

When Jason was about to run, the door suddenly swung open. "Sweetheart, you're home." Yvonne beamed from ear to ear. When he saw how close she was to his son, everything went into a complete stop. Lumapit ito at umakmang yumakap rito.

Biglang sumikip ang dibdib ni Justin. "D-don't..." he whispered, causing her to stop. "Don't you dare." he told her through gritted teeth.

Yvonne faced him, pouting her lips. "Why? I can't hug my own son now?" she brought her right hand upwards and pressed it to her chest, pretending to be hurt.

"Try to put your filthy hands on him, I swear..." he threatened, clenching his jaw. "Jason, run." his eyes were not leaving Yvonne's. "Run, now."

"No, honey. Stay." Yvonne disagreed.

"D-dad," the kid was confused. Hindi nito alam kung anong nangyayari at kung sinong susundin sa dalawa. "Mom, tulungan natin s-si dad," Sabi nito sabay lapit sa kanya. "Umalis na tayo dito."