As The Sun Sets (Mi Amore #1)

26

"We have to fix our mess because we're family..." Dugtong ko pa habang yakap siya. Pinakawalan niya ako bago madilim na tiningnan. I took a step back because of her terrifying stare.

"Buo na ang desisyon mong umalis?" tanong niya. Mabilis naman akong tumango at hinawakan ang kamay niya bago ngumiti.

She's coming with me! She knows nothing can change my decision now.

Agad ko siyang sinundan nang tumayo siya. She still had on her dark stare that it was scaring me already.

"Ma?" tawag ko.

She heaved a sigh before facing me. "Pwes, buo na ang desisyon kong manatili."

Pakiramdam ko ay tila natapos ang ikot ng mundo ko nang marinig iyon. She really doesn't want to leave? I thought I convinced her already and knocked some senses to her!

We can't stay here forever.

Soon enough, they'll know we're hiding here. Pagsasabihan nila kaming duwag at iniwan namin ang lahat doon. They'll curse us and call us bad names because Tito Adam was someone everyone looked up to.

Even my Dad.

But money changes everyone. It makes you greedy. It makes you evil.

Miguel, you can go and protect your family and I'll protect mine.

Even if it means defending a murderer.

"Ma, hindi mo naiintindihan!" Pagtaas ko ng boses sa kaniya. "We have to leave this place right now and not rot here in hiding!"

Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang luha bago ako muling hawakan sa balikat at seryosong tiningnan. Her eyes almost seemed to pierce through my entire soul.

"You're still a child, Kiara." Madiin na sambit nito, punong puno ng galit ang bawat salita.

Pinantayan ko siya ng tingin. I won't back down even if it's my own mother I'm facing.

I'm tired of being the coward. I'm tired of this setup.

I laughed sarcastically. "Hindi na ako bata, Ma. I know exactly what consequences I'll face because of this and I'm willing to accept that. In the first place, it was never my idea to leave."

"I did all of this for your sake, Kiarah!" sigaw niya. "Sa tingin mo hindi ko pinag-isipan ang lahat bago tayo umalis? Did you think I forced you to leave without a plan?"

"Then what's the plan?" I uttered. "Staying here forever?"

"Ganiyan na ba ang naituturo sa'yo ng Kiel na iyon?"

I stopped dead on my tracks when I heard Kiel's name. She did not just say that.

"Ma!"

"Ang sumagot sagot sa magulang mo? Gano'n ba ang turo sa'yo niyan?" She provoked further.

I swear I could see red by now. Wala sa sariling naikuyom ko ang mga kamao habang galit siyang tinitingann. How dare she say that? I thought she liked Kiel! She always has! She's always been nice to everyone!

"Ever since we left," I stated. "Ever since you asked me to pack my things and leave to an unfamiliar place where I experienced one hell of a college for years, that was already the end of my relationship with him."

I smirked at her before continuing to grab every piece of clothing I had and shoved it in my luggage.

"Kiarah, you are not stepping outside of this house!" Sigaw niya at pinigilan ako sa pagkuha ng mga damit ko.