The Gift of Tears (Casa Fuego Series #2)

Chapter 30

Traje de Boda

Nagkakagulo na ang aming pamilya. We almost caught Solene de Guzman last Saturday ngunit wala na naman kaming naabutan sa bahay na pinagsususpetyahan namin. Mariin akong pumikit sa sobrang frustration. Problematically, I leaned on the van and brushed my hair using my fingers.

"Hey, Avy..." Charles consoled. "Do not stress yourself out. We still have another house to check."

"Charles, sa isang linggo na ang kasal natin. I thought we would find your mother months before the wedding kaya medyo panatag pa ang loob ko. Hindi ka ba nagpapanic?" bumuntong-hininga ako.

"Walang magagawa ang panic ngayon, Avy. Believe me, this is also stressful for me. Magpapakasal din ako kaya alam ko ang nararamdaman mo. We still have a week."

I sighed and watched Julio and Cullen went out of the small apartment we raided. Seryoso silang nag-uusap at huminto saglit para kausapin ang isang tauhan.

Charles held my shoulder and slightly squeezed it to calm me down. Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"I'm sorry. I just thought everything was going to get better before the wedding."

Charles smiled reassuringly at me. Napaawang ang aking labi at nagtagal ang titig sa kanya. I stared at his smile. Parang sinuntok ang puso ko.

"I'm sorry," napakurap ako nang may napagtanto. "You are comforting me even though this is probably harder for you. Charles, if you are against the idea, we can marry and then find other ways-"

"It's hard for me but it is time Mother stop hiding in the dark. I couldn't help her before because I was a young boy. Wala akong laban kay Papa. Ngayon, gusto kong tulungan siya..."

"You looked for her after you graduated in College. You did your best, Charles," I squeezed his hand.

"Maybe I should've looked for her more. She deserves justice. My father should also be put in jail. It is hard but it is what is right."

"You're right. The right thing is always the hardest thing to do," I whispered and looked away.

Tulala ako sa van nang umalis kami sa lugar na iyon. It is somewhere in Davao. May lead kami na nakita siya roon pero hindi namin naabutan. I guess she's really running away. Alam kong takot parin siya sa kayang gawin ni Greg de Guzman.

"Hey," Cullen whispered. "We will find her, okay? Everything is going to be alright."

Nilingon ko siya at nginitian. He was looking at me like he was weighing my expression. His expressive eyes bore onto mine. This is the only thing that can soothe me. He will always be my relief in another exhausting day of my life.

"Mahal kita, Cullen," I whispered.

Umawang ang kanyang labi at nag-iwas ng tingin. He swallowed hard and his jaw tightened. I saw his eyes glitter with tears. I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder.

"This won't work anymore! Kung mahanap niyo man si Solene de Guzman, huli na ang lahat. Naipakasal na si Avery! Julio, I think we should proceed to the original plan," Mom looked stressed out.

"Tita Victoria, if we rely on the evidences solely, it will be a weak move. Once we find Solene de Guzman, we will publicize Greg's illegal transactions, sexual abuse of his wife, and his issues with tax. Remember that your name is included in his drug businesses, you will go down with him-"

"Punyeta! Then, I will go down with him! I have been a coward for so many years! Sa kagustuhan kong hindi makulong, huli ko nang napagtanto na isinakripisyo ko naman ang sarili kong anak!"