When A Heroine Has Fallen (Zaldariaga Series #1)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27:
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I'm trying to breath in between sobs, I can't stop my tears that was keen to strolled down my cheeks. Naglakad ako palabas ng unibersidad na sobrang sama ng loob. The constricting pain twist once again.

"Suli!" I heard Joaquim voice calling me. I can sense the strained on his voice. I gritted my teeth. Ayokong makaharap siya ngayon dahil sobrang nag-uumapaw ang galit ko.

"Suli Hallarces!" si Papa naman sa tonong pagalit. His voice was hit with disdain and scorn. Mas lalo kong pinikit ang mga mata. Nakita ko ang sasakyan ni Joaquim pero wala akong balak na sumakay roon.

I get enough shame from the scene I pulled a while ago. Hindi ko alam kung may natitira pa ba sa akin para harapin pa sila. I have problems to deal with on my own plate. Ubos na ako. I can't even gathered a strength to walk. I was near on collapsing.

"Humarap ka sa akin!" si Papa na nahuli ang braso ko at hinaklit ako paharap sa kanya. Sa sobrang panghihina ko ay napatianod ako kanyang hila.

"Suli buntis ka ba talaga?" si Papa at para akong bingi na hindi pinakinggan ang tanong niya.

"Tama na! Give me a break! Pagod na pagod na ako!" I cried and I sobbed loudly. Pumagitna sa amin si Joaquim at hinawakan ang balikat ko.

"Tito hayaan po muna natin siya. Suli is tired. I think we should bring her home first before throwing a question to her." Joaquim caress my shoulder with a hint of gentleness but I swatted his hands away. Suminghap siya pero hinayaan na ako.

Marahas kong pinalis ang mga luha ngayong nasa harap ko silang dalawa. Some students were still gossping outside the university. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin roon. Papa inhaled a sharp breath. He didn't respond so Joaquim turned to me.

"Aalalayan lang kita papasok sa sasakyan." paalam niya sa akin bago ako hawakan sa braso. I was too weak to even uttered a word. I give up and let him.

The ride towards the Casuela was silent. Joaquim is on the driver seat and Papa is beside him. While I'm alone here in the backseat. Nakatulala ako sa daliri ko.

Khalil's image with his misty and fallen pained eyes keep crossing my mind over and over again that I can feel my heart bleeding. Hindi iyon mawala sa isip ko. Guilt is creeping to my skin. I fucking want to scream and I wish it will reach until him. So he can heard how I'm in sorrow and in despair right now. That I'm hurting so bad too.

Umuwi kami sa bahay namin sa Casuela. I walk straight to my room even Papa is itching to talk to me. Kaso pinigilan siya ni Joaquim. I limp my body in my bed and I bent my knees and hug my pillow. Pinikit ko ang mga mata pero patuloy pa rin sa pag-agos ang luha ko.

I heard a soft knock on my door and I screw my eyes shut.

"Please, give me peace for minutes." hindi ko alam kung narinig ba iyon ng kumatok dahil sobrang hina ng pagbigkas ko. It was low and far from earshot. Pero narinig ko na lang ang pag-ugong ng pinto sa dahan dahang pagbukas noon.

"Don't worry I won't bothered you Suli. I'm sorry. I just want to give you a water." nakilala ko ang tinig na pagmamay-ari ni Joaquim. Hindi ako nagsalita. I heard his footsteps.

Lumapit siya sa side table na kaharap ko. He put the tumbler in the table beside the lamp. I turned my back to him and face the other side. I don't want my body to riled up with anger if I saw him longer.

He's the reason on all of this. Kung hindi siya pumayag sa kasunduan nila ni Papa, walang ganito. It's still me and Khalil. Hindi sana ako umiiyak ngayon. He took a heavy sigh like he's problematic too. The side of the bed deepened so I know he sat in the edge of it.