Gleaming Part

....12

Chapter 12

After sharing what I have been keeping, my heart felt lighter. But it felt a bit heavy seeing them sob and tears keeps on falling from their eyes.

"What do you feel?" I looked at Greg and I smiled.

"I'm okay." Napapikit siya at huminga ng malalim. I know he doesn't want to hear that phrase from me but, I can't help it but to say I'm okay.

"Can...Can Ashley and I see the bruises?" Grace carefully asked and I sighed. Should I show them?

I smiled a little and I stood up. "Tara."

Pumasok kami sa bathroom ni Cameron.

I took off my leggings and they gasped when they saw it. I took off my hoodie and tears fell from their eyes again. Napatakip ng bibig si Ashley.

Dahan-dahang lumapit sa'kin si Grace at sinuri ang mga sugat, pasa, at pamumula sa katawan ko.

"He..." humikbi siya. "He did this to you?" She looked at me in the eye and tears keeps on falling. I smiled and slowly nodded.

"S-Sarili mong tatay? Ginawa 'to sa'yo? Cadie, we have to do something." Napatingin ako kay Ashley at sinusubukan niyang hindi humikbi ulit. She's biting her lip.

"Hindi kayo pwede sumali dito. Labas kayo dito." I said seriously and put back my clothes on.

Umiling siya at tumingala, "Paanong labas kami dito kung nakikita namin ganiyan ka?  Hindi lang kami magaantay na makakalabas ka dun. We have to do something, Cadie naman."

I can feel all of their pain but, I know they can't fight with me in this. Madadamay sila at ang pamilya nila. I don't want that.

It hurts, ayoko sa lahat nakikita silang nasasaktan. Tapos ako pa ang rason, this kills me.

I waited for them to say anything else but they just went silent and I grabbed two face towels.

Binasa ko iyon at ibinigay sakanila. Pinunasan nila ang mukha nila at halatang magang maga ang mata. I waited for them to cool down before I opened the bathroom door.

Napatingin sa'min ang mga lalaki at nilapitan kaagad ni Greg si Grace at inakbayan ito. Lumapit naman sa'kin si Cameron at si Thomas kay Ashley.

Pinaupo ako ni Cameron sa kama neto at ngumiti sa'kin while they remained on the floor. Lahat sila nagkakatinginan like they're sharing a secret message for me not to understand. Hindi ko na lang pinansin at humiga na sa kama ni Cameron.

I looked at the ceiling and let my thoughts envelope me. Bumibigat na ang mga mata ko lalo na nakatapat din sa'kin ang aircon kaya mas mapadali akong nakatulog. I didn't know how many hours I was asleep, kung hindi pa ako ginising ni Thomas kumain hindi pa ako magigising.

"Cadie, let's go. Kain tayo." I scratched my eyes and stretched my arms to let him pull me up. He carefully held both of my hands and pulled me up. Ngumiwi ako dahil sa sakit na naramdaman ko.

"Are... Are you okay?" Nag-aalala niyang sabi kaya mahina akong tumawa.

"The Alpha's like that huh?" I teased na ikasimangot niya.

"You're hurt, I should take care of you. This is what family should do." Nasaktan ako sa huli niyang sabi. It sounded bittersweet.

Bumaba na kami sa dining area at nakita ang iba pa naming kaibigan na tahimik.

I sighed and sat beside Cameron, he gave me a small smile before placing rice on my plate habang si Thomas naman ay sa ulam ko.

"Hindi naman kayo ganito katahimik kapag kumakain tayo ng sabay-sabay ah?" I commented kaya napatingin sila lahat sa'kin.

"Ano ba lagi ko sinasabi?" Umikot ang mata nila sa sinabi ko at ngumiti.

"Enjoy every moment." They said in unison that made me smile wider.

Umingay ulit at natuwa ako. Nagkwekwentuhan sila, asaran habang ako ay pinagmamasdan sila. This is the view that I always want to have. Every second, minute, hour, days, weeks, and years. I'm seeing the light when I'm with them. They're my breather, my strength. Kahit hindi ko pa nararamdaman na belong ako sakanila. But, I feel their genuine care and love.

But, if one day there will be a time that my dad decides to end me. What will happen? Would he remain clean? Or would someone try to bring justice for me? There will be proof, but not enough proof to bring him to his end.

Will there be a day that I will be free? Where I won't feel scared to do the things I wish to do? Where I know nobody will spy on me, no one will look through my privacy. Where someone will respect me even though I'm like this. Dadating kaya ang araw na iyon?

"Cadie, kain ka pa." Nawala ako sa pagiisip nang lagyan pa uli ako ng kanin sa plato ni Cameron.

"Thank you." I mumbled and continued eating.

"Anong gusto mong dessert? Bibili kami sa mall. Huwag ka na sumama mag pahinga ka na lang ulit dito." He continued.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sakaniya at umiling.

"Nakakahiya naman maiwan dito." Umiling kaagad siya at natawa.

"It's okay, Cadie. Tyaka saglit lang kami. So, what do you want?" He asked. Napatingin ako sa mga kaibigan namin at ngumiti sila sa'kin.

"Pizza, Garlic and Shrimp. Ice cream, Chocolate Almond Brownie. Banana Milk. Fries and nuggets from McDo. Moshi Manju. 'Lil orbits, cinnamon sugar." I shyly said that made everyone laugh.

Tumango tango si Greg habang tinitipa ang mga sinabi ko.

"Maiiwan si, Grace kasama mo." I looked at Grace and she smiled. I smiled back at her and finished my food.

Nilapag ni Thomas ang isang four seasons sa harap ko kaya ako napangiti. "All time favorite mo, Cadie oh."

They know my likes. But, they don't know the deeper me. They know what I usually show them because it has been a cycle. But, they don't know what I am more than that. I wanted to show them but, I really don't want to let them see that I am so weak, that I am sad. I mean, it should be normal right? But, why am I like this?

Handa sila makinig, pero bakit may pumipigil sa'kin?