Breathe Again [MEDICAL MYSTERY #1]

CHAPTER 14: Restart

Warning: SPG 

I have to put some r-rated scenes to establish the character's identity and to justify the future chapters. You can skip if you're not comfortable.

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NAPAHAWAK ako sa pisngi ko nang sampalin ako ni Mommy. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko dahil hindi ako makapaniwala sa ginawa niya. This is the first time she hurt me physically.

"Your classmate called at my office," she said with blazing eyes.

"S-Si Gretta po?" my voice cracked because of fear.

"No. Maui. The top 1 of your batch."

"Si Maui? B-Bakit naman po niya kayo tatawagan? We're not even close."

"She told me that you're ditching classes. Is it true?"

I bowed my head so I can hide my face to her. Lying is really not my forte, I've been honest all my life that everyone will easily notice once I lie.

"That's not true." But still, I lied.

She scoffed. "You're not a good liar, Angel."

Hindi na ko nakaimik dahil natatakot talaga ko sa bawat diin ng boses ni Mommy. My mom's a soft woman, she's kind and gentle, but once you trigger the beast inside her, she'll be a monster.

"I went to your school today and talked to your dean."

Dito na ko napatingin sa kanya. "You did what?!"

"Your classmate's right after all, you're really ditching classes. Almost all of your subjects are in danger due to your absences, did you know that?"

Hindi ako sumagot.

"I'm asking you!" Umalingawngaw sa buong bahay ang boses niya.

I hitched my breath because of nervousness and my hands formed into a hard ball.

"Naintindihan ko when you run away once, Angel. Inintidi ko kung bakit nawala ka sa top 10 because why not? Hindi ka nakapag-take ng dalawang major exam mo 'di ba? I'm disappointed but not surprised. Nilawakan ko ang pang-unawa ko noon Angel dahil alam kong hindi naging madali sa'yo na iniwan tayo ng Daddy mo!"

Lump started to form on my throat. I bit my lower lip to hold back my tears.

"But this?" My mom's anger gradually fading away, but it's now being replaced with sorrow. "Itong pag-skip mo ng klase? Pagpapabaya mo sa pag-aaral mo? Pag-uwi mo ng late? Do you think okay lang sa'kin 'to?"

I did not answer as guilt is now slowly swallowing me.

"Ano? Ito ba ang natutunan mo sa pagsama mo sa Azriel na 'yon?"

Tinignan ko siya at kumunot ang noo. "Labas po si Azriel dito. 'Wag niyo po siyang idamay."

She laughed sarcastically. "Bakit? Hindi ba totoo? That guy's slowly ruining your life! You became the worst version of yourself when you let Azriel into your life!"

"That's not true!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong sumigaw at bakas ang gulat sa mukha ni Mommy.

Maski ako ay nagulat sa sarili ko, pero andito na 'to, there's no turning back. "You don't know anything, Mom! You don't know how Azriel saved my sanity! He was the one who picked up all the pieces of me when I shattered in vain!"

Her forehead creased; she's mixed confused and dismayed. "What are you saying, Angel? Nabubulagan ka na ba?!"

"Mulat na mulat ang mga mata ko, Mommy! Until now I'm still blaming myself for my classmate's suicide. She's all over my head! Araw-araw akong kinakain ng konsensya ko kapag naaalala kong buhay pa sana siya ngayon kung hindi ko siya hinayaang mag-isa ng araw na 'yon. I'm also blaming myself why dad left us, maybe because I'm not worthy as his daughter—"