The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Candidate

Lagpas alas sais ng umaga nang maipark ni Atlas ang Mustang niya sa tapat ng bahay namin. I undid my seat belt, turned to him, and raised a thankful smile.

"I had a great time. Thank you for your birthday surprise."

Tumango siya at inabot ang pisngi ko upang haplusin 'yon. Naiilang akong umismid dahilan upang mapabuga siya ng malutong na halakhak. I blushed more.

Sino ba kasing 'di maiilang sa sinabi niya kanina? Ni hindi niya man lang ako binigyan ng pagkakataong makareact dahil inaya niya agad akong umuwi! Not that I would say the three words back... masyado pang maaga para roon, pero kahit na. I hope he'd given me the chance to tell him how much I appreciated him, too.

"You're always welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Nagtitigan ulit kami kaya agad na 'kong suminghap at tumango. Mukhang aabutan pa kasi kami roon ng siyam-siyam. God, we looked like we didn't want to part ways at all!

"Aight. I'll go now..."

Binuksan ko ang pinto ng Mustang at bababa na sana, ngunit natigilan ako nang makarinig ng sigawan galing sa loob ng bahay namin. I heard my Mom's seething yells. It made my pulse jump out into life as I turned to Atlas with a horror-struck look on my face. His eyes widened.

Sunod na umalingawngaw ang tunog ng pagkabasag kaya mas lalong namilog ang mga mata namin. Nagkukumahog akong kumaripas papasok sa bahay na sinundan niya naman agad. Habang tumatakbo ay sobrang bilis ng pintig ng puso ko. Halo-halo na ang pumasok sa utak ko.

"Mommy!" I screamed in distress.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang madatnan siyang bagsak sa sahig, magulo ang buhok, at halos 'di na makahinga sa sobrang paghagulhol. My eyes surveyed the broken fragments of our Victorian vase scattered on our living room's marbled floor. Walang dugo roon ngunit pinagpawisan pa rin ako ng malamig.

"You're a cheater, Lucian!" She pointed at Dad. "Walang-hiya ka! You thought I didn't know?!"

Natauhan ako. Agad kong dinaluhan si Mommy at inalalayan siyang tumayo bago sinipat ang ama kong galit na galit din tulad niya.

Daddy's breathing ragged and he looked like he was getting out of breath. Namumula ang mga mata niya sa pinaghalong luha at galit. Kasalukuyang nakaharap sa kaniya si Atlas at inaawat siyang pagbuhatan kami ng kamay. Since he couldn't raise his arms because Atlas was holding him on his shoulders, his fists balled instead.

"Calm down, General," Atlas said in a low tone.

My Dad didn't listen and continued to give us his sharp gaze. Nang bahagyang tumigil sa marahas na pagtaas-baba ang dibdib niya'y nagsalita siya.

"You didn't have to embarrass me like that, Olivia! You will ruin our reputation! And I will lose my job because of you!" he snapped.

Mommy leered at him. "Bakit?! Ayaw mong malaman ng mga tao kung gaano kasama 'yang budhi mo, Lucian? Ganoon ba?!"

"Oliv—"

"But it's the truth, right? Kaya't anong pinuputok ng butsi mo riyan? It's all your fault that I did what I did!"

"I can't believe this! You're ruining my hard-earned reputation!"

"E peke naman 'yang reputasyon mo! Loyalty? Integrity? Nasaan 'yan noong naisipan mong ikama ang mga babae mo, ha?"

"You didn't have to stoop that low, Oli! I'm a General! This will take a toll on me!"

"Tama lang ang ginawa ko! You don't deserve your title, anyway!"