Don't Go

026

"Athena!" Dumagundong sa buong silid ang sigaw ni daddy.

Mommy's eyes are directed to her husband. "Bakit? Ayaw mong malaman ng mga anak mo ang ginawa mo sa akin noon?"

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo? Alam mong matagal ko nang pinagsisihan ang gabing iyon. At alam mo rin na hindi ko iyon ginusto!"

Bihira ko lang makita si daddy na mawalan ng pasensya at isa ito sa mga pagkakataong iyon.

"Hindi dahil sa hindi mo iyon ginusto ay hindi na ako nasaktan. Pagkatapos anong ginawa mo? Inuwi mo pa dito ang batang iyan. That child only reminds me of her mother!" She pointed her fingers to me.

When mommy said those words, as if on cue, daddy remembered that I am still here in the room with them. His frustrated eyes were converted into solemn ones. My eyes are glued to them as my tears continue to fall.

Hindi ko na inabalang palisin ang aking mga luha dahil ang nais ko na lang ay malaman ang totoo kong pagkatao.

"Venice," mahinang banggit ni daddy sa pangalan ko.

"So... it was true?" I asked, my voice even cracked.

"Venice, listen to me. Anak ka namin ng mommy mo. Anak kita. Walang mababago ro'n," daddy said with finality like as if through it, he can ease the pain I am feeling right now yet I know better. It is of no use.

"Eh talaga namang anak mo ang batang iyan. Dinala-dala pa kasi dito," sipi ni mommy kaya tiningnan siya nang madilim ni daddy bago niya ibalik ang tingin sa akin.

My heart is breaking when I saw my father's mournful eyes. But even so, my world is shattered like a glass hits by the raging storm.

I am only living in a lie. That explains everything. That explains why I felt that my life can never be complete no matter what. Now, series of questions are invading my mind.

"Sino ako, daddy? Sino ang totoo kong ina? Totoo ba na bunga ako ng isang pagkakamali?"

Magsasalita pa sanang muli si mommy pero inunahan na siya ni daddy na siyang nakalapit na sa akin at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko.

"Don't say that, anak. You were never a mistake to me. Isa ka sa pinakamagandang regalo na ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa akin. Kayong dalawa ni Paris" He paused before he continued again.

"May kakambal ang mommy mo. Her name was Althea. Ikakasal na kami dapat ni Athena nang mangyari ang gabing iyon. I was drunk. She pretended to be my fiancée. It was all her plan to ruin my upcoming marriage with her twin sister. Hindi ko alam na matagal na rin pala siyang may gusto sa akin kaya ganoon na lamang ang galit niya nang malaman niya na ikakasal kami ng kakambal niya."

Althea.

She is my real mother. Deep inside me, I know that I love her. I wanted to meet her, to spend time with her. Kahit pa kamuhian siya ng ibang tao dahil sa kanyang ginawa, I will never ever get mad at her.

"Masamang tao po ba siya upang sirain niya kayong dalawa ni mommy?"

Contrary to what I am expecting, my father shook his head in disapproval. "She's my best friend. Mabait. Mahinhin. Mapagbigay. At mapagmahal. Nagkataon lang na nabulag siya ng pag-ibig kaya nagawa niya ang bagay na iyon."

"Kung ganoon, nasaan siya? Pwede ko ba siyang makita man lang?" I asked with my hopeful eyes.

Tiningnan niya muna si mommy na madilim pa rin ang mukha hanggang ngayon. Then, he brings back his gaze to me. "Wala na siya."

And with those words, the hope that is within me is crashed into pieces. My whole being is filled with anguish.

Bakit ang daya ng mundo sa akin?