Desirous Men 1: ELIO | Completed

Chapter 9

MAHIGPIT ang mga yakap ni Sandy at Nori sa kanilang ama na si Don Renato Lobangco. Halatang-halata na nabawasan ang timbang nito at problemado ang matanda.

"Dad, we will do everything para makalabas ka dito..." hikbi ni Nori sa ama.

Si Sandy naman ay nakayakap parin dito. Sobra nyang namiss ang ama, kahit kelan ay hindi nya matatanggap na nakakulong na ngayon ang kawawa nyang ama. Kahit pa ano ang nagawa nitong kasalanan ay mahal na mahal parin nya ito.

"Tahan na Nori. Please don't bother to spend anymore money to take me out of here."

Nagtaas nang tingin ang kapatid nya sa narinig. "What do you mean dad?."

"I rather ask you two to use whatever money you two have to have a better life." Nagbaba nang tingin ang matanda. "Please forgive me. Your old man did so many bad things. I'm really sorry you two was dragged with me into this situation. Please forgive me Nori and Sandy. Daddy was so ashamed."

Nori cupped their father's face. "Dad, we forgive you. Kaya nga may pera na kaming nakahanda para makakuha nang isang magaling na lawyer para sa kaso mo." Napailing si Nori. "Although at the moment no one wants to take your case."

"I know anak. For sure the other names I was associated with doesn't want me to confess. Marahil naglabas ito nang mga malaking pera para pigilan ang sino mang lawyer na gustong tumulong satin. It's their way to shutting me down and I fully understand why."

"Kaya nga, don't bother getting a lawyer for me Nori. I deserved to be here." halatang pinipigilan nitong mapaluha. Don Renato looked at her. "Kumusta ang bunso ko? I hope you don't go out to party anymore. Alam mong ayaw na ayaw ko yun Sandy. Please be a good girl for your ate."

Napahikbi si Sandy. She then reached for her father's hand and placed it on her cheek. "I miss you so much Dad. Don't worry I don't go out anymore."

"That's good to hear anak. Nung isang araw ay binisita ako ni Fe, sinabi nya sakin kung saan na kayo nagtatrabaho." Tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luha nang ama nila. "Please look after yourself Nori and Sandy. Alam kong hindi kayo sanay sa hirap nang buhay but I'm a bit relieved that Fe is there to support you both." Tumitig ito kay Nori. "I'm really sorry about what happened to your relationship with Ezequiel Nori."

Napalingo-lingo ang kapatid. "Nothing to apologise Dad. Narealize ko na masyado palang mababaw ang magmamahal nya sakin, o kung talagang minahal nya ko. I was actually relieved I did not end up with him."

Napatango-tango ang matanda at bumaling na naman sa kanya. "How are you and Justin?."

Napatingin muna sya sa ate nya bago sumagot. "Matagal na po kaming wala Dad."

Halatang natigilan ang ama nya sa binalita. "Anyone new?."

Tumikhim si Nori. "Tell dad Sandy..."

Kumunot ang nuo nang Don. "Tell me what?."

"Nothing important Dad." she answered.

Napabalik-balik nang tingin ang ama sa kanilang dalawa nang kapatid. "She's working at Emilio Romulo's house." it was Nori.

"That young Sevilla." her dad murmured.

"Dad...he's a nice guy—."

"Please don't get close to him Sandy." her father cut her off. "He's a cunning man, he might be the first person who celebrated after what happened to me. Please...anak just find other place to work. Does he know that you are my daughter?."

"No...he doesn't know who I really am." mahina nyang sagot dito.

Napabuntong-hininga ang ama. "That's good, please Sandy anak...leave that place. That young Sevilla is no good. I don't want you to get hurt. I mean alam kung nagtatrabaho ka lang sa kanya but what if he ends up liking you."