As The Sun Sets (Mi Amore #1)

22

"Kiarah. We are leaving this place right now! 'Wag kang magmatigas diyan!"

Mom almost dragged me back to my room just to pack my things. Halos kaladkarin niya na ako makapunta lamang sa kwarto pero hindi ako nagpapadala sa kaniya at nanatili lamang sa malamig na sahig kung saan ako lumuhod kanina para magmakaawa na 'wag nilang kunin si Papa.

Hindi ko siya nilingon at nakaupo lamang doon habang pinaglalaruan ang kamay at doon lamang nakatuon ang pansin ko.

I don't understand why I should pack my things. Alam kong mahirap na sa sitwasyon naming gayong kilala na kami ng lahat at kailangan naming lumayo, pero hindi sa ganitong sitwasyon kung kailan iiwan namin si Papa.

He didn't do anything! He probably got framed for something he didn't even do! Instead of packing our things and leaving, shouldn't we have followed him to the police instead? Bakit hindi namin siya sinusundan?

Bakit hindi naman siya pinaglalaban?

"Kiarah Nicole. On the count of three, you will leave that spot of yours and pack your things." Madiin na saad sa akin ni Mama habang pinagmamasdan pa rin ako sa labas ng kwarto nila kung saan kumukuha na siya ng mga gamit niya.

"One."

No. I won't leave until Dad has been proven innocent.

"Two."

I won't leave until I go to the police and beg them not to take my Dad away because he didn't do anything.

"Three."

I won't leave until I see him!

"Hindi ako aalis dito..." I stated, enough to make her hear inside. Patuloy ko pa ring pinaglalaruan ang mga kamay ko.

They didn't stop shaking.

Kanina pa 'ko nanginginig at paulit-ulit na nakikita ng utak ko ang nangyari kanina. My tears already dried and whenever I think about it, kusang bubuhos ang luhang gustong-gusto ko na pigilan.

"Are you even hearing yourself? Aalis na tayo rito at hindi na babalik!" Sigaw niya sa akin. Her tone became even more frustrated as she aggressively packed her things.

"M-Makukulong si papa..." bulong ko. "I saw him with my own eyes, Ma! Kung aalis man tayo rito ay pupuntahan natin siya!"

Mabilis siyang lumapit sa akin at lumuhod para magkaharap na kami. I slowly lifted my head to look at her. She breathed heavily and tears already formed at the corner of her eyes.

"Marami siyang tao na kayang-kaya siyang ilabas roon. What's important now is your safety and we are leaving now." She sternly stated. "'Wag mo akong artehan diyan at pumunta ka na sa kwarto mo!"

Akmang tatayo na siya nang pigilan at hawakan ko siya sa kamay. I didn't bother minding about how tired I look with my red eyes and dried tears on my cheeks, nakatingin lamang ako sa kaniya habang hawak hawak ang kamay niya.

Just like what I could have done earlier. I could have begged like this. I could have taken him away if only I was stronger.

If only I had been braver to face them and run to him as he was being taken away instead of slowly looking at him and crying for help when no one could help us.

"He didn't do it...right?" I asked softly as I clung to her and didn't want to let it go.

Mapait siyang ngumiti sa akin at binitawan ang kamay ko. "Anong gagawin mo kung totoo o hindi? Ang importante ay makaalis tayo rito!" I immediately grabbed her wrist again as I was still on the floor.