The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11

Kill

"Are you okay?" Kiro gave me a concerned glance before focusing back on the road.

Tumikhim ako bago tumango. "Just tired."

Mula sa loob ng sasakyan ay tinanaw ko ang daanang tinatahak namin. My forehead creased when although familiar, the route wasn't leading to our ancestral mansion. Ang mga burol, malalawak na mga pastulan, at matataas ng mga puno ng kagubatan ay nagsabing patungo sa kampo ang landas na dinadaanan namin.

"Why are we here?" nahahapo kong tanong at saka siya nilingon.

"Your Dad called me. Gusto ka raw niyang makausap."

"But it's almost six! Uuwi rin naman siya mamayang alas otso, ah?"

"I don't know, Io," he shrugged, "but when he called earlier, he didn't sound so happy."

Nakatiim-bagang ako habang pinapasok ni Kiro ang Sedan sa loob ng campus ng LAFOMA. A feeling of intense anger and disappointment for my father washed over me.

I froze at my place earlier when I saw him kiss another woman. Ni walang luhang tumulo sa pisngi ko kahit noong pinagmamasdan ko silang masayang nag-uusap at nagtatawanan ng babae niya. I became mute and horror-struck but after I recovered, all my respect and admiration for him flushed down the drain.

Nawala lahat.

How could he even do that to my Mom? How could he fucking cheat on a woman who treated him nothing less than a king? Hindi ko lubusang maintindihan.

"Your Dad said you'll drive home with him," Kiro informed after parking our car. Nilingon niya ako at marahang nginitian. "Uuwi ako pagkatapos nito..."

"I know," I croaked.

"Please... take care of yourself."

I bit my lower lip because his troubled eyes told me that this talk with my Dad wouldn't be a good one. Kinabahan ako roon pero nang maalala ang nasaksihan ko kanina'y nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob.

"I'll be fine," I assured and stared at him with eyes glinted with determination. "My Dad won't hurt me, Kir."

Lies.

He had just broke your heart, Iowa. Nasaktan ka na niya.

Bigo siyang tumango-tango. "I know, but still... If anything happens, don't hesitate to call me."

I didn't fully get why Kiro acted so anxious about me meeting my Dad. Kilala niya ito at ilang beses din niya akong nakitang pinapagalitan nito. I would get hurt but I would get over the scoldings right away. Though when I arrived at Dad's office and got shouted the moment I stepped inside, I realized what he meant.

My Dad was fuming mad.

"Ionna! Ano 'tong natanggap kong balita na puro dos at tres na naman ang nakukuha mo sa klase mo?! You even missed passing one of your plates! Hindi kita pinalaking tamad at mas lalong hindi kita pinalaking isang kahihiyan!"

Nanlumo ako habang dinuduro niya ako. His eyes were bloodshot and some of the nerves in his temples were protruding. Sa sobrang lakas ng sigaw niya'y sa tingin ko'y umabot 'yon sa Cadet Barracks na sa malayong building pa.

Only his office was open and lit up when I arrived in his building. Kaya siguro walang pakundangan ang pagsigaw niya dahil alam niyang walang makakarinig at makakaalam ng nangyayari.

Malakas ang loob ko kanina habang papunta rito ngunit ngayong narito na ako'y nalusaw lahat ng inipon kong tapang. I didn't even get the chance to close the door because he already yelled at me and spewed out hurtful mean things that shattered my heart and spirit.