Richard's Standard

Chapter 14 - Mom asks for Forgiveness

Love makes people go wild. It can create powerful emotions in your heart. It has been said that once you fall in love, there's no turning back. But it's not always like that.

I had been in my room for three days now, and Mom wasn't home yet. It was lucky that she found her true love, but Dad wasn't so lucky, and neither was I. I was still in pain because of what happened between me and Dona. She had made me believe in all her lies. Looks can be deceiving, though. I fell for Dona's charm and never thought she would end up weaving lies just for that easy money. All I had ever thought was that she was different. Now, I was alone and broken-hearted. One way of forgetting and moving on was to go back to Pampanga.

I received a message from Mom that she was already back and staying in her office. Right, I would come over there to say goodbye. After all, she was still my mother, but that would be the last time I was going to see her. I would forever be gone from her life after that.

As I parked my motorcycle, I saw students running and shouting. There seemed to be chaos or a fight. I decided to look for it, and I was shocked!

Gilbert was holding Mom by her neck with a knife! I felt scared but wanted to save Mom. How was I supposed to do that? Oh God, help me save my Mom. Help me.

Other instructors were pleading with him to let go of Mom, but he wouldn't listen. He was shouting in a different language, and I couldn't understand a single word he said.

I tried to ask someone beside me. "Can you please translate what he's shouting into Tagalog?"

The guy looked at me and nodded. "Sabi niya, kailangan niya ng pera. Kung hindi raw magbibigay ang school o si ma'am President, papatayin niya ito."

I thanked him after the translation. I felt so mad at Gilbert. I was right all along that he had bad intentions toward Mom! Hayop siya!

I tried to step forward. "Nalagot nako sa imo! Let go of my Mom!" I shouted, using the words that Dona had taught me, meaning 'Naiinis na ako sa iyo'.

He laughed evilly. "Hoy! Amerikanong hilaw! Huwag kang manggugulo rito! Baka isaksak ko sa leeg ng babaeng ito ang kutsilyong hawak ko!"

I stepped backward and raised my hands. "Sorry, please, don't hurt my Mom. Let her go and I'll give you the money."

He shook his head. "Not your money, but your Mom's!"

"Buang ka, Gilbert! Dili nimo makuha imu gusto!" Mom shouted.

"Hilom!" Gilbert shouted.

My heart was beating fast because of what might happen to Mom. I had once lost a father, I couldn't afford to lose my Mom now. I didn't want to be left alone.

"Mom, huwag ka nang magsalita. Iligtas daka,"mahinahon kong wika.

Mom was crying now. Gilbert will pay for this! He will rot in jail once he gets caught!

Suddenly, several policemen arrived at the scene and tried to calm Gilbert, but he wasn't listening.

"Tay! Undanga na na!" a familiar voice shouted from behind me.

"Dona?" I was alarmed, 'cause she just called him 'Tay'.

She didn't look at me, but tearfully stepped forward. "Tay, please. I want you to stop this whole damn thing now!"

We were all shocked, except Mom.

So, Dona is Gilbert's daughter? What the sh*t! She even hid that matter from me! I shouldn't believe her anymore. Dona is the goddess of lies!

"Hoy! Don't you mess with my plans! You're not helping me at all! I asked for your help but you failed me!" bweltang sigaw ni Gilbert.

Dona was stepping forward one step at a time. I knew she had a plan, so I had to help her.