Comfort of Darkness - COMPLETED

Kabanata 3

Tahimik kaming lumalangoy ni Daisy nang humapas sa mukha niya ang tubig dagat.

Gulat na napatingin ako kay Pio at napahalakhak nang gantihan siya ni Daisy.

I've been watching them for a while. Tawa lang ako nang tawa hanggang sa mapahinto.

I winced. My eyes feel like burning! Naluluha ang mga mata ko kahit nakapikit.

"Ellie!"

Someone held my face but I can't open my eyes. Damn it! Ang hapdi!

"Daisy naman kasi! Masyado kang malikot!" Medyo may inis ang tono ni Kiko.

"Sorry Ellie." I felt them surrounding me.

I tried to open my eyes. Una kong nakita ang nag-aalalang mukha ni Kiko. Sa tabi niya naroon si Irene at Pio na nakatitig sa akin habang si Daisy ay hinahaplos ang pisngi ko.

"I'm okay, medyo mahapdi but okay lang ako." I smiled and assured them. Bahagya pang kinurapkurap  ang mga mata ko.

"Si Pio kasi eh!" Daisy smacked Pio's face.

When I felt tired from swimming, I decided na umahon na at magbanlaw. Iniwan ko muna ang tatlo sa dagat dahil mukhang nag-eenjoy pa sila.

Tahimik kong tinahak ang maliit na banyo sa bahay ni Irene. Dalawang linggo na ako dito, at bukod sa pagkakaroon ng mga kaibigan, wala na akong ibang makabuluhang nagawa.

It was hard to trust again at first. But  they made me feel so loved and accepted. And they felt genuine.

I stared at my feet blankly. I tried to call my dad last time. My first week here was hard. I missed them so much. Hindi ko siya macontact. Naka ilang attempt narin ako, pero ganoon parin.

I tried to call my mother too. And it didn't end well.

"Hello?" Her voice is sharp.

With trembling hands, i held my phone tightly. "M-mommy..."

"Lia?" Her voice became sharper.

"M-mommy. Y-yes mom. I miss you—"

"Where the hell are you?! Huh? Nasaan ka Lia? Ano? Kami ang sasalo sa lahat ng kahihiyan mo? You good for nothing brat! I knew it. A selfish brat like you will do no good in this family!"

Napakurap ako. I sighed to ease my heart.

"M-mom I—"

"Shut up! Shut your mouth Lia. Hindi kita mapapatawad kapag may nangyaring masama kay Ricardo!"

I froze. My heart hammered like crazy. Kinabahan ako at ms lalong namuo ang luha sa mga mata ko.

"S-si daddy? What happened to h-him?"

"See for yourself brat! Umuwi ka! Look at the damages you've caused!"

Anong nangyari kay daddy? I want to know. I want to go home. But, I know...I can't.

"I-I can't, mommy I—."

"Don't call me that! Nakakahiya ka! Ayusin mo ang kalat mo! Umuwi ka Lia!"

Napahagulhol ako. How can I explain this to her? How can I make her understand? I need this! Na nahihirapan din ako! Because this is not what I want!

Napapikit ako at suminghap.

"I-I can't..."

"Bakit?" Sumisigaw na siya. Mas lalo akong naiyak.

"Why can't you Lia? Nahihiya ka? Nasaan ka ba at ako na mismo ang kakaladkad sa'yo! Own your mess Lia! Huwag kang duwag!"