All We Know

CHAPTER 1

"Meet me under the mango tree at Sacred Heart Street."

I sighed as I put back my phone inside my sling bag. Is he already there? Is he waiting for me? Is he... Alone?

Napailing ako at muling napabuntong-hininga. Hinanda ko ang aking sarili sa aming muling pagkikita, nag-abang ako ng taxi na maaaring gamitin papunta sa destinasyon na sinasabi niya.

Finally, pagkalipas ng isang linggo ay naisipan niya rin magpakita saakin. What the hell happened ba? Saan siya tumuloy? Bakit ngayon lang siya nagpakita? Saakin ba unang nagpakita ang lalaking ito? Well, I don't know and I can only answer my questions when we finally talk.

"Where are you?"  He texted me and I replied "on my way."

I tapped my cheeks before coming out the taxi. Inabot ko ang bayad saka kabadong pumunta sa puno ng mangga.

"Deether..." I said. I saw him standing beside the mango tree with his hoodies on. I walked towards him and he turn his gaze on me.

"Hi," he gave me his usual smile before giving me a hug. "Akala ko di ka pupunta."

Pinalo ko siya sa braso niya saka umiling. "Pinapakaba mo'ko!"

"Luh?" He dramatically held his chest and jokingly act like he was hurt, "ano ginawa ko?"

"Nakakainis ka, hmp!" Pinalo ko pa siya muli bago magseryoso. "Seryoso... Okay ka lang ba?"

He bit his lower lip and turn his gaze around. Avoiding my eye contact. "Siguro?"

He sat down on the grass and tapped his side ordering me to sit beside him.

"Magkwento ka naman..." I said while showing him my genuine smile.

He sighed. "Tigilan mo'ko, Cursetine, mukha kang natatae sa ngiti mo."

Napawi ang ngiti ko at agad na napalitan ng nakakatakot na titig, tumawa lamang siya at umiling-iling.

"Saya ka dun?" I asked while his still laughing to death. Him and his attitude. Tsk.

Deether is my childhood bestfriend. He always make me happy whenever I'm feeling sad. Well, I'm always sad... Sino ba naman hindi magiging malungkot pag nasa sitwasyon ko diba? I envy him dahil kahit mahirap sila, masaya at sama-sama parin ang pamilya nila. While me? I'm rich but I grew up with a complicated life. My mom and dad are living together but why do I feel that there's always a large gap between them? I can see that both of them fell out of love. But why are they staying together? For me? That's unbelievable. I know there's a deeper reason than me.

"Ikaw, kamusta ka?" He asked. I smiled and pinched his nose.

"Still the usual feeling. Ikaw? Magsabi ka naman, di mo naman ugali mawala na parang bula nang walang dahilan 'no!"

"Wala, naghanap lang ng mapagkakakitaan ngayong magbabakasyon... Alam mo naman ako lang din maaasahan nila papa dahil bata pa sila Deejay at Deon." He said referring to his younger brothers.

"May nahanap ka naman?"

"Hmm. Macho dancer."

Nanlaki agad ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya pero seryoso parin siya.

"Tangina, seryoso?!" Tanong ko. Pero imbes na sumagot tumawa lang siya ulit.

"Tanginamo talaga." I said again while his still laughing. Mas malakas na tawa niya ngayon.

"Epic mukha mo HAHAHA!"

Di ako magtataka kung kukunin siyang macho dancer dahil aaminin kong maganda ang katawan niya, bonus pa yung gwapo niyang mukha pero... Di bagay sakaniya at sigurado akong di papayag mama niya sa ganiyang trabaho!

"Biro lang, naghanap ako ng magandang lote, malayo sa siyudad para walang gulo at stress-free."

"Para saan? Ikaw ba ang bibili o may nagutos sayo?"

"Ano ba, Tin, syempre bibilhin ko para kila mama." He said that made me smile. I really envy him and his attitude. No wonder I fell inlove with him.

Uhm, I secretly fell inlove with him.

After that great conversation, we went straight to the ice cream shop. He ordered my favorite flavor and we ate together. After that I went straight home while Deether will go to his work.

I was about to open our main door when I heard loud shouts and cry inside. I refuse to open it and I listen to their argue.

"Kristine, hindi nga pwede!" My dad's voice.

"Sin, nakikiusap akong tigilan mo na 'yan! Ilan pa ang mapapahamak mo?!" My mom's shaking voice.

"Kristine, makinig ka, ilang beses na natin ito napagusapan at lagi kong sinasabi sayo na nagiingat ako! Walang madadamay na mahalagang tao sa atin!"

Ano pinaguusapan nila? Pahamak? Tao?

I can't take this anymore so I opened the door.

Both of them shockingly turn their gaze on me. There I saw my mom with bended knees on the ground, tears in her cheeks, reddish eyes and nose, and her hands are both holding my father's hands.

And I saw my dad, standing straight like a powerful man with his pride and dignity. I stared at him and he just sighed. I ran towards my mom and held her hand.

"Mom, please stand up."

"Darling, leave us alone." Mom said with her shaking voice. I shook my head.

"Mom, you don't deserve to kneel down, please stand up." I held mom's shoulder and begging her to stand up.

She then stand up and I ordered the maids to give us a glass of water.

"Dad, what's happening? Is there something you want to say?" I asked. He sighed and stared at the ceiling.

I want to cry. I badly want to cry! I never saw my mom with tears in her cheeks. She looked like a mess, I never saw her like this. I don't think she deserve this.

"Mom," I whispered. "Ano po'ng nangyayari?"

"Anak, pumunta ka na sa kwarto mo. We can handle this." Kalmadong wika ni dad.

"No!" I shouted. I can't handle this anymore. "Why can't you tell me the reason or what's even happening?"

"Hindi mo maiintindihan!" He fired back.

"Pipilitin kong intindihin just please, please at least tell me para naman may alam ako... Dad, I feel useless!"

"Curse, please stop, umakyat ka na anak, kaya na namin ito... " Mom said like it's an order and I should obey.

"No.." I said without emotions. Feeling ko useless ako. Feeling ko di ko deserve ang maging anak nila. "Ano yung narinig kong pahamak at mga tao?"

My dad look at me but he quickly turn his gaze on the floor.

"Dad?" My tone sounded desperate.

"Wala yun." Malamig na aniya. Umiling lamang ako at hindi makapaniwala.

"I don't believe you! Please tell me! PLEASE EXPL—" napahinto ako nang maramdaman ko ang malutong na sampal. First time in my history. First ever hand laid on my cheek. It's my own father's hand. He slapped me.

Di ko inalis sa pagkakaayos ang aking ulo hanggang sa may narinig nalang akong hagulgol at sapak.

"Sintemo! Paano mo nagawa sa anak mo ito!" My mom's voice is echoing in our mansyon. Hindi nagsalita si dad at gulat parin sa kaniyang ginawa.

"I can't believe you can hurt me like this." I whispered. I ran towards my room and locked the door.

I can't believe mararanasan ko na ang mga sakit na kailanman hindi ko naimagine na ibibigay niya. Dad, what happened? Kulang pa ba ang mental and emotional pain? Dapat ko pa bang maranasan ang physical pain? Dad...