Against The Fate

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I didn't know what to say. My tongue is tied. I'm speechless.

"Answer me, Laticia. Buntis ka ba?" She was calmer than I thought, pero hindi pa rin matigil ang mabilis na tibok ng puso ko.

I trust that Mama would understand my situation. Pero iba pa rin pala pag narito na... there is also that look on her face that I never imagined.

It's a look of fear, shock and concern.

I swallowed. Ngayong tinatanong ako ni Mama ay hindi ko alam ang isasagot. I was bound to tell them the truth, but now that she caught me... I'm scared.

"W-What do you mean, Mama? H-Hindi ako buntis..."

Pumikit siya ng mariin at napahilot sa sentido.

"Answer me honestly, Lacey. Just tell me the truth. Please... tell me so I can help you!"

I swallowed again. Humigpit lang naman ang hawak ko sa lababo. Dapat ba'y aminin ko na sa kanya ang totoo? Sa kanilang dalawa ni Papa, si Mama ang mas kayang tanggapin ito. Is it okay for her, then?

"M-Mama." sambit ko. May namumuo ng mga luha sa mata ko, kinagat ko naman ang labi ko at pinipigilan ang sariling humagulgol. "I'm sorry..."

Her eyes showed concerned as she opened her arms for me. I could tell she was a bit shocked from her expression.

She hugged me as I cried on her shoulders. She rubbed my back as I held onto her tightly. I needed someone other than Gray to get me through this. Hirap na hirap na ako... the guilt is consuming me.

"Shh... Lacey, it's okay. I'm not mad." she told me rubbing my back to comfort me.

Ngumiti ng tipid si Mama at pinunasan ang mga luhang tumutulo sa mata ko. I don't usually cry, but this... it pains my heart. It's making me guilty of doing an act that my parents don't want.

"Who's the father of the child, is it Caven?" she asked.

Umiling ako. Isa pa 'yong inaalala ko. Kung kaya ba nilang tanggapin ang dahilan kung bakit ako nabuntis.

"Who is it, then?" Mama asked. "Does he know that you're pregnant?"

Tumango ako. Inayos naman ni Mama ang mga buhok na dumidikit sa mukha ko dahil sa pag-iyak. I needed her to comfort me... to help me get through this to assure me that I'll still have a family after all of this.

"Yes... he's been helping me. He said he'll take responsibility..." kwento ko kay Mama.

She smiled. "That's good... hindi ka niya pinapabayaan." sabi niya. "Is he your boyfriend?"

Umiling ako.

"Just someone, Mama..." iyak ko.

Kinuwento ko kay Mama ang nangyari nung gabing 'yon. She didn't judge me. She didn't get angry at me. Instead, she comforted me. She assured me that she's there for me. Nawala ang takot kong sabihin sa kanila ang totoo. Parang may naibsan na bigat sa dibdib ko, dahil doon.

"How many weeks is it?"

"A-almost fifteen..."I answered. "I'm really sorry—"

"Shh, it's fine. I don't have any problem with you having sex before marriage or how you got pregnant. It's normal. You are of age already. Kaya lang ang Papa mo..."