Chasing Life And Love

Pamilya sa Anumang Sakuna

JOROSS POV

*knock

Kumatok ako sa pintuan ni Andrea ng ikatlong beses bago ko ito tuluyang binuksan. Nakasandal siya sa ulunan ng kaniyang kama at mugtong mugto ang mata. Nilapitan ko siya at naupo sa kaniyang tabi.

"The last time I saw you with that puffy eyes was when both of your parents died. What happened?" hinawakan ko ang kaniyang buhok at dahan dahan itong hinaplos.

She tried to smile at me, "I was bullied lang, tito."

I just looked at her, not really satisfied with her answer. She better be telling the truth.

She heavily sighed before she talked again. "I'm not really used being around a lot of people so when I was bullied because of how lame I have played the guitar, I really took it hardcore."

Should I tell her na meron si Mateo ngayon?

"You are emotionally drained, Andi. Kung hindi ka naman napapagod physically, you are emotionally fatigued. Both are not good for your health," pagbabala ko.

"I'll be fine tomorrow, tito. You're such a worry-wart."

"How can I not worry? Your parents entrusted you to me. Tayo tayo na lang naiiwan. Are you seriously expecting me not to worry?"

"I know, I'm sorry," she held my hand and pressed it.

Bukas ko na lang sasabihin sa kaniya ang tungkol kay Mateo. She needed to take a rest.

I heaved a deep sigh. Kinuha ko ang kaniyang mga gamot sa kaniyang night stand. "Take your meds before you sleep."

And gently, she took it.

I kissed her forehead before she laid and I quietly left her room. Sinalubong ako ni Santi sa labas.

Tinanong ko siya, "Do you think I made the right decision to homeschool her after the accident?"

"Wala namang sino sa atin dito ang may gusto sa nangyari. And you made your decision because you thought that's what is best for her," mahina niyang sagot.

"Minsan I can't help but wonder kung tama ba ang naging desisyon ko."

Tinapik niya ang aking balikat at hinawakan ito ng mahigpit, "Look at Andrea, she grew up to be a wonderful lady. Hindi siya lalaking mabuti kung nagkamali ka sa mga naging desisyon mo."

Sana nga..

"I'm really worried about her condition..."

"On the other hand, she's becoming happier."

"But not this day. Hindi ko nga alam kung totoo sinasabi niyang na-bully siya.  I've never really seen her in that state since the accident."

"Do you want me to talk to the Principal tomorrow?"

"I doubt Andi would like that Santi. She wants to keep her profile as low as possible."

"I just wonder why they would bully her over her performance in music. You know it, she's really great with music."

That's indeed true.

I looked at Santi, his eyes also reflected my emotions.

We walked down the long stairs.

Let's dig the truth.

"Okay. Let's hear your version of truth of what exactly happened today."

Magkaharap kami ngayon ni Mateo habang lahat ay nakahandang makinig.

Tumingin siya sakin na tila nag aalangan.

"Ano po bang sinabi ni Andrea?"

"She said she was bullied because she slacked in her guitar performance."

Mateo looked at me not believing my words.

So I take that as a lie.

"I can't believe Andrea would lie at me," seryoso kong wika.

"That's exactly the very reason why she lied. She doesn't want any of us to worry," Santi said.

Still, she shouldn't have lied.

"Actually, about that. Her performance is really good. Even our music teacher clapped with us."

"That's true. Andrea is a gifted musician like my sister. She's just being discreet and modest because she doesn't want to gain attention."

"Naku iho, napakagaling ni Andi tumugtog. Kayang kaya nga niyang tumugtog ng piano nang nakapikit," singit ni Manang Luring.

"So anong rason at umuwi ang pamangkin kong mugtong mugto ang mata?" binalingan ko muli si Mateo. Ayaw ko na ng paligoy ligoy.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago nagpatuloy sa kuwento.

"Pagkatapos po ng music lesson namin, pinauna niya kami ni Andrew kasi kakausapin siya ni Sir Jay. I think, nagustuhan niya talaga performance ni Andi kaya baka gusto niyang i-recruit."

Matiyaga kaming nakinig sa kaniya.

"Tapos naghintay kami ni Andrew sa cafeteria pero ilang minuto na lumipas, she's still not coming. Until, we saw the video..."

What video?

Tumigil siya sandali na tila di alam kung paano magpapatuloy sa kuwento. Inilabas niya ang kaniyang cellphone at nagmamadaling pumindot rito. Ilang sandali pa ay muli siyang tumingin sa amin at dahan dahang iniabot sakin ito.

Isang video.

Nagsilapit sakin sina Santi, Manang Luring at pati si Willie. I tapped the play button and my heart sank when I watched the whole scenario.

How could they to this to our Andrea?!

Nagpupuyos sa galit ang aking damdamin; hindi malaman kung ano ang gagawin.

"Hay nako! Makita ko lang yang babae na yan ako mismo sasabunot sa kaniya!" pagalit na wika ni Manang Luring.

"Pag nakita ko siya bukas Manang, naku,baka mabundol ko ng sasakyan pag hindi ako nakapag timpi," sagot naman ni Willie.

"I won't let this pass, Joross. We have to talk to them," hinawakan ni Santi ang aking balikat. "They have physically and verbally harassed Andi," pagdaragdag niya.

I nodded at him. If my sister was still alive, she'd roast me to death for letting such gruesome thing happened to her daughter.

To make matter worst, it happened around Mountainview Property.

I sighed.

We will teach them a lesson.