Stolen || COMPLETED

29

Sino ba talaga ako?

Nakakatawang isipin na kahit sarili ko'y hindi ko na kilala.

Back when I was still a kid, I knew and felt how they treat me unfairly. Well, Dad's a bit nicer than Mom, though, at least. But even though they are like that, I never resent them. I was never mad at them. Hindi ko magawang magalit sakanila dahil mga magulang ko pa rin sila at mahal ko sila.

Sabi ni Kuya, nalaman niyang anak ako sa labas ni Daddy kaya napilitan si Daddy na papuntahin siya sa US noon. Para pigilan si Kuya'ng sabihin saakin ang totoo.

And then, biglang hindi pala ako anak ni Daddy. Na hindi pala ako tunay na Mortell. That I am a complete stranger in this family.

Halos hindi na ako makatayo sa sobrang panghihina dahil sa mga nalaman ko. Inalalayan ako ni Kuya na umakyat sa kwarto ko.

"I'm sorry I had to say that to you now. Dapat pinagpahinga muna kita pero... I just can't stand with you knowing nothing. Specially because this concern you and your life." He said to me.

I didn't say a word. Pumasok na lang ako sa loob ng room ko at nanatili roon. I need to think. I need to understand every single detail.

Or maybe I do understand... I just can't accept it.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil sa kirot na naramdaman. Umiyak ako. I sat on the edge of my bed. Ipinatong ko ang siko sa binti at sinapo ang mukha.

"Why...." I sobbed. "Why is this happening?"

Bakit puro na lang kasinungalingan lahat? Ano na lang ba ang natitirang totoo sa buhay na 'to? I wonder if my name's real too. Of course not. Even my surname isn't true. Damn it.

I grew up trying to be the better version of myself so people would like me especially my mom. I grew up faking the real me. Everything's fake. Putangina!

"Cai..." I called for him. "I wish you're here... damn, it hurts so much."

At times like this, I wish he's here. Sana nandito siya sa tabi ko ngayon at kino-comfort ako. Sana nandito siya para sabihing kahit papaano'y may isang taong nakakakilala saakin. Kasi ako hindi ko na rin kilala ang sarili ko. I'm so lost.

The next day, I confronted Mom and Dad. I just want clarification. I just want to make sure that I heard and understand everything Kuya said yesterday.

Even if that means I need to get hurt again.

"Adam! I told you let me handle this!" Pinagalitan ni Daddy si Kuya.

"Sorry, Dad."

Daddy sighed and looked at me. Matapang kong sinalubong ang mga titig niya. Come on, Dad. Say it. I'm ready...

"It's true?" I asked.

"Jei, my princess, listen," he held both of my shoulders. "You're my daughter, no matter what, okay? I won't give you up, honey."

My eyes watered for two reason. First, it's true. Second, Daddy's words made my heart clenched.

Niyakap ko siya at umiyak na ng tuluyan. "D-Dad, why? Why? What did I do to suffer from all of these? I did nothing but to love this family and it turns out that I'm just a plain stranger here. Masakit na po."

Ramdam ko ang paghaplos ni Daddy sa buhok at likod ko. Kung kailan okay na kaming lahat tsaka nagkaganito.

"Don't say that, okay? You're not a stranger in this family, you'll never be. Just rest first, okay? Let's deal with this when you're fully healed."

Just like what they want, nagpahinga ako hanggang sa maging okay na. Pumasok na rin ako sa class ko at nalaman na rin nila Lexie at Kesha.

"What's your plan?" Kesha asked.