The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

Bad Things

Wala akong maramdaman habang nakaupo sa bench na nasa labas ng hospital room ni Mom. Kumakalam ang sikmura ko dahil sa gutom pero 'di ko 'yon ininda, katulad na rin ng mga emosyong sumibol sa puso ko sa oras ding 'yon.

The doctor already informed us about her condition. Stable na siya at natutulog na sa silid niya ngayon. She had a concussion because her head hit the floor badly when she collapsed. Mayroon din siyang minor injuries na sanhi ng physical abuse.

Sa tuwing iniisip ko ang mapait na katotoha'y nasusuka ako. Kanina, bahagyang nagising si Mommy at mahigpit niyang ipinagbawal na sabihin namin kay Dad ang nangyari. Atlas then requested a private doctor who sworn us his secrecy.

'Di ko maintindihan kung bakit ayaw niyang malaman ni Dad. Did she not want him to worry? I cackled at the thought. Will that bastard even worry? E kahit ang pagdampot nga ng tawag sa oras na kailangan siya ay 'di niya magawa?

"I got you some food," Atlas said and offered me a styrofoam container.

Nang 'di ko 'yon tanggapin ay umupo siya sa tabi ko at nilapag 'yon sa katabing silya. He caressed my back and leaned in so that he could kiss my temple. Binalot ng pamilyar na halimuyak niya ang pang-amoy ko kaya bahagya akong kumalma.

Humikbi ako. I'd been holding it together until now. It was selfish but I took refuge in his arms. He hugged me back tighter. God, I wouldn't know what I'd do without him.

"Are you sure it's fine that you're here? Maga-ala una na," wika ko at saka kumalas.

Tila may mainit na kamay na bumalot sa puso ko nang mapagmasdan ang sinsero at nag-aaala niyang mukha. He nodded and raised a gentle smile. Pinunasan niya ang luha ko sa malambing na paraan.

"Don't worry, okay?" He tucked some strands of my hair behind my ear. "I can take care of myself."

Naluha ako. "Thank you... thank you so much."

I knew that he had a lot in mind, lalo na't sabay naming pinakinggan ang doktor nang ipalawanag nito sa 'min ang kondisyon ni Mommy kanina. He heard everything. He heard how she's probably a victim of domestic violence and even rape. How she had bruises, kiss marks, and two broken ribs...

Nagngingitngit ako sa galit. Kung may tuktok man ang pagkamuhi ko para kay Dad, ito na siguro 'yon. He was already mean and cruel to me but I tried to understand him, still. I made myself believe that all his scoldings were him showing me his tough love. Palagi akong umiiyak dahil sa kaniya pero kinaya ko. But him hurting my Mom?

Tangina. First, he cheated on her and now, he's hurting her? Anong klase hayop siya? And he's a fucking General at that matter! Putanginang dignidad at reputasyon 'yan. Where the hell were those values now?

My Mom requested to be sent home that same day. Atlas and I took care of everything in her place, something that gave me comfort but so as guilt because I knew he had things to take care of, yet there he was, being my support system.

"Don't forget to rest, okay? Drink a lot of water and get enough sleep. I'll call you later."

Nagkatitigan kami habang parehong nakatayo sa harap ng bahay namin. The skies were getting dark and the sound of cicadas were starting to fill the air. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin pero walang-wala 'yon sa lamig na namutawi sa sistema ko. It was almost 6 PM and my Mom was now resting in her room. Uuwi na si Atlas kaya hinatid ko siya rito sa labas.

He smiled gently. "Baby, can you please talk? Kanina ka pa tahimik."

I went back to reality. Nilunok ko ang bukol na namumuo sa lalamunan ko bago siya tinanguan.