Catching the Warm Sun(Maldita Series #1)

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33
Beg

The wind blows my hair and I accidentally inhaled the ashes. Lahat ay naging abo. Kakaalis lang ng mga imbestigador. Pinaghihinalaang sinunog ito at hindi lang basta dulot ng naiwang apoy or anything else. Sinadya ito.

I don't know what to do. I should talk to Byron. If he knows this, I don't know if I can forgive him.

My grandparents look devastated. I pity them.

Naupo ako sa ilalim ng puno. Mahangin at ang araw ay natatabunan ng mga ulap. I stared at the grass swaying in the wind. I feel sad for the farmers. They've waited for that crops to grow and all turned into an ash.

May magagawa ba ako?I know..there is.. But why am I still sitting here?

I don't want to ruin the relationship that we're building. I stared at the hiding sun, why don't you show up?The surroundings look pale and sad.

"Lolo...may paraan pa ba para maisalba ang lupain?" tanong ko kay Lolo. He's holding the glass of water.

"You don't have to worry about it, apo. Just focus on your studies."

"Is it because I am the key?I can do something to get it back, right?" Lolo look at me with sadness.

"You don't have to do it, hija. We'll find a way. We won't let you do anything against your will." he hold my hand and hugged me.

Hindi sila papayag na ako ang maging kabayaran sa ginawang kabalastugan ni Tito August. I'm so thankful that they're my family.

Someone had emailed me. I open the message and next is the photos. My jaw dropped at what I've seen. My eyes were a bit blurry. I wipe those forming tears.

I take a look at the photos again. It's really him.

I drive all the way to manila. Tinawagan ko si Nortia at Maia para hanapin ang lugar na iyon. I know it's just somewhere in Manila. Wala na akong maramdaman. My anger to Byron's family plus this fucking photos.

Starting from now, I will not cry because of him. He's not worth to cry for.

Ihininto ko ang sasakyan dahil nagsanga na ang daan. The one is the way to Byron's house while the other is to the place that I'm looking for. Hindi ko alam kung alin ang uunahin ko.

To give that bitch some lesson... I will make sure that she'll taste the hell while she's still alive.

Kinatok ko ang pinto ng isang apartment. They've send me the exact address of those photos. Mabilis pa sa kidlat ay naibigay nila sa akin. Thanks to my friends.

Nag-aalab ang galit ko. Walang mapag-sidlan. The door opened and I saw Alondra's disgusting face. I've entered her cheap house.

"So this is the place..." iginala ko ang mata. Isang kwarto lang ang mayroon dito.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong niya. Napatingin ako sa kanya at natawa.

"Sa ating dalawa, I should be the one who's asking. Ako lang ang may karapatang magtanong!" napalakas ang boses ko. "Anong ginawa niyo dito? Inakit mo siya ano?Nilandi mo?Kung kinakati ka, ipakamot mo sa iba 'wag kay Leiou na boyfriend ko!"

She's beautiful I admit it. Pero mas hamak na mas maganda ako sa kanya. I know it.

"Grow up, Eileuthea. Hanggang ngayon ikaw pa rin ang kilala kong spoiled na Eileuthea. Hindi ko alam kung anong nakita ni Leiou sa iyo.." nagkibit-balikat siya. Nag-init ang ulo ko sa ginawa at sinabi niya.

Then I'll show you how spoiled I am!Hinatak ko ang mahaba niyang buhok. Nagsisigaw siya sa sakit. Binitawan ko ang buhok niya. I gave her my best right hand slap. Maybe, it's enough...for today.

"I hate those person whose saying that I am spoiled. Hindi ako pinalaking ganoon ni Mommy..." I acted like I'm thinking. "Hmm..but Nortia and Maia taught me how to slap a whore." I smiled and turn my back.

My hands and knees were trembling. I don't know where find some strength.

Pinaharurot ko ang sasakyan para makarating agad sa bahay nila Byron. My hands were aching. Pesteng babae. My precious hand. Nabinyagan tuloy siya ng kamay ko.

May isusunod pa ako.

"Maam, bawal po kayong pumasok. May kausap pa si Maam Delia." hindi ako nagpaawat sa kasambahay.

"Tell her that I am here. Eileuthea Fontanilla..Sandejas." I said fiercedly.

I've waited for her in the living room. Ilang minuto lang ay nakita ko na siyang bumaba mula sa hagdanan.

"Hija!What brings you here?" masigla ang pagbati niya. Diretso ang tingin ko sa kanya. Nagbeso pa siya sakin. Hindi ko maatim.

"Bakit niyo po ginipit si Tito August at bakit pati ang plantasyon ay dinamay niyo pa?" kinuyom ko ang mga palad sa galit.

"Hija, I don't know you're saying..." she smiled shyly.

"Stop fooling me."

Suminghap siya. "Okay, since that you're blaming me, I'll tell you my side. I just want my son to be happy. That's all. I'm giving you an opportunity to have the life that you deserve if you'll be with my son."

Kumalabog ang puso ko. So it's true! Nangilid ang mga luha ko sa inis at galit.

"Hindi pa siya umuuwi, alam mo ba 'yon?He's been with alcohol everyday!If you're in my shoes wouldn't you do that?Kaya please..."

Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko. Nagulat ako ng lumuhod siya sa harapan ko. She's crying.

"Tita, stand up. You don't have to do this."

"Please, Eileuthea...ibabalik ko ang lahat sa dati..just be with my son." she beg.

Wala akong naisagot. Tulala akong umalis at iniwan siyang umiiyak. I feel like that my mind will burst out in any minute.

My decision will be the future of those farmers...and my future too.

Dinala nila ako kung nasaan si Byron. He looks different, his hair is a bit messy and a lot of bottle of alcohol in front of him.

“Ron...” tiningala niya ako at ngumiti. “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”

“Hmm...s-sasama ka ba sa’kin?” he laughed a bit at umiling, muling itinaas ang bote ng beer. Hindi ako nakapagsalita, nanatili sa kinatatayuan.

“Just come with me.” I said and tried to lift him up. Ihinatid ko siya sa kanila sa tulong ng driver na naghatid sa’kin. Naging mabuti sya sa’kin, sa tuwing kailangan ko ng tulong ay siya ang nariyan.

“Salamat, hija.” his mom said with full of sincerity. Tipid akong ngumiti.

It’s okay.

"Bakit hindi ka na lang dito matulog, Hija?Matutuwa si Ron kapag nakita ka niya bukas."

Napangiwi ako.

"Salamat po but just like how you want and waited for your son to come home is as twice as my mother." ngumiti ako. Tipid na ngiti. Ganoon din siya at hindi nakapagsalita.

"Okay, I understands you but it's late. Kahit doon na lang sa isang unit na pag-aari ko, hija. I just want to thank you and I don't know how so.."

I sighed then nodded. "Okay po,"