Caging Fire (R-18 COLLECTION)

30. Imogen Aiko Perez [Part 1]

THIS STORY IS "NOT EDITED" AND REPRODUCED EXPLICIT MATURE THEME! NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG READERS!!!!

"READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!"

30. Imogen Aiko Perez [Part 1]

What is the definition of love?

People say love is pure, painful, sweet, and dreadful — all at once. ... Love is more of a feeling that a person feels for another person. People often confuse love and lust. Love means to be deeply committed and connected to someone or something. The basic meaning of love is to feel more than liking towards someone.

Mama married my father when I am already six years old.

Papa cheated on his first wife which he had three children.

Lennan, Caerwyn, and Agapius hates me because their mother died of too much pain she endured.

Before, I can't really understand what kind of family I have. I don't understand why my brothers really hates me that much. I was innocent and naive, or maybe that was I thought?

First year high school when I heard some gossips in our school. Agapius and I studying in the same school since he's just two years ahead of me. Lennan will be graduating as an Engineer this year, while Caerwyn is on second year in Business management. I thought life will be easy if I could understand everything? Second year high school when I found out the gossips is not just a gossip. Using my two eyes, I saw my father picking up a little girl in a kindergarten. I was riding a bus that time because our driver take a leave for two days.

I didn't know what to say about my father that day. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin o kakausapin ng maayos. I am also even scared to tell it to Mama, but few weeks passed. I realized something's wrong going on. Papa didn't go home for three days and two nights. Until the next day, I woke up with Mama beside me. Yakap yakap ako habang umiiyak. Napakunot noo ako, hindi dahil sa katabi ko siya. Kundi' ay sa unang pagkakataon, naintindihan ko ang sakit na naramdaman ng mga kapatid ko noong piliin ni Papa si Mama. When he abandoned his wife just to be with us.

Everyday Mama is crying since then, everyday I am always waking up with her beside me. Pero kahit ganoon, I never waste even one drop of tear for my father. Fourth year high school, umuwi si Papa kasama ang batang babae na nakita ko noon. As usual Lennan, Caerwyn and Agapius didn't say anything. Obviously they doesn't care, but when a petite woman suddenly followed inside our home. Hindi ko na natiis pa, Mama almost break down and sit on the couch while crying hard.

"So, this is how it feels." I said blankly. Nagtataka ang batang babae at tumingin kay Papa na nakahawak sa kamay niya. Habang ang babae sa likod na sa tingin ko ay ina niya, casual lamang na inilibot ang paningin sa kabuuan ng bahay. "Are you now happy Papa?"

Halata ang gulat sa mukha niya, kalaunan napalitan iyon ng lungkot. "Aren't you contented after hurting the feelings of your three son? Aren't you satisfied after marrying Mama? Aren't you feel guilty for hurting my feelings?!" for the first time, I shouted. Habang palakas ang hagulgol ni Mama, hindi ko inasahan ang paglapit ni Caerwyn at Agapius upang patahanin siya.

"For once, Papa magpakalalake ka naman. Mahiya ka naman sana sa mga anak mo, remember chance is not something that you can asked every time you hurt someone. This time, think about your family and stop being selfish."

That was the first and last words I said to my father. Dahil pagkatapos noon, I finish high school and I choose to leave Cagayan. Mag-isang nakipagsapalaran sa Pampanga. I went to alone there and decided to take up Tourism. Noong una sobrang hirap mag-adjust lalo na kung hindi ko kabisado ang lugar at ugali ng mga tao. But later on, naka survive naman ako at nakasunod sa agos ng buhay. Mama is always calling me and as usual, she's always worried and keep on begging me to go home. Mahirap man pero pilit kong tiniis si Mama, tanging nabalitaan na kinuha ni Papa si Kalila, his daughter.