Before The Last Sunset [Before Trilogy #1]

19

Our home didn't feel like a home. Not anymore. 

It's been days since Dad and Mom fought. Everything went south ever since that night. Our family was barely holding on. No matter how hard I tried to be there for everyone, it felt like we were all far from each other, living our own lives. Could I even call ourselves a family anymore? We surely didn't act like one. 

Mom had shut herself from us completely. I barely see her anymore. She would only come home to have a change of clothes and sleep. After that, she would leave the house and go off. She would be gone before I had the chance to talk to her. 

Chelsea's nightmares returned. She was traumatized from that night and had dreams about it every single night. It got so bad, she would scream and cry in  her sleep. I made her stay in my room so I would be there to wake her up whenever it happens. As much as I wanted to bring her back to her psychiatrist, Chelsea didn't want to go back to the clinic. I didn't want to force her since she was already going through a lot. 

And for Dad, I haven't heard from since that night. He wasn't responding to any of my calls nor texts. I was starting to worry since none of us knew where he went. I tried my luck and decided to visit him in the hospital. Maybe I could convince him to come home. I just had to try. 

I went inside the ER and scanned the area. There were many people around and everyone was moving. I approached the head nurse who was seated on her desk. 

"Excuse me po," I spoke. She raised her head from her computer to face me. "Si Dr. John Javier po?"

"Kaano-ano po nila si Doc Javier?" tanong niya. 

"Anak niya po ako," I answered. "Nandito po ba siya? Pwede ko ba siya makausap kahit saglit lang po?"

Biglang lumabas si Dad sa likod ng mga kurtina. He wore a surprised expression and looked at me."Chase?"

"Dad," I stared at him. He looked so worn out and tired. The bags under his eyes were enough to give it away. Has he even took a minute to rest? He looked horrible. 

"Bakit ka nandito?" He asked when he approached me. "Tara, sa labas tayo mag-usap. Maraming tao dito." 

I followed him out the ER in silence. He quickly removed his head cap and mask, fixing his disheveled hair. I placed my hands in my pockets, tapping my feet on the tiles. 

"How...how are you?" Among all of the questions running in my head, that was the only one I managed to ask. 

"I'm alright," Dad answered shortly. "How's your mom?" 

I didn't expect him to ask about her. After everything, he still asked for her. "I don't know. She's barely at home anyway. Ikaw Dad, kailan ka uuwi?" 

His lips parted in surprise. It immediately formed into a thin line. "Not anytime soon, son." 

"Why? Hindi niyo pa ba naayos ni Mom?" I asked, starting to get frustrated. "Saan ka tumutuloy ngayon? Are you even eating right, Dad? You look overworked." 

"I'm staying with a friend," I looked at him with doubt in my eyes. He sighed and explained further. "Nakikitira ako sa Ninong Gabriel mo. Malapit lang condo niya sa ospital. I can give you the address if you want to check it out for yourself." 

I felt guilt seep into my body as I stared at Dad's disappointed eyes. I would be offended too if I were him. I acted like I didn't trust him. "I'm sorry, Dad." 

"Nonsense. I understand. You've always been on your mother's side," he gave me a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Just know that I love your Mom very much, anak. I would never do anything to hurt her."