He (COMPLETED)

He Suffered

"Do you think we need to tell Drake about it?" natigilan ako sa pagbaba ng hagdan nang marinig ko ang boses ni Mama Lene habang kausap niya si Papa Lloyd.

"Hindi ko alam, Lene. Maayos na ang buhay ni Drake." rinig kong sagot ng adopted father ko.

Thirteen years ago, I was sent to an orphanage after I was found in the forest. I stayed there for a few months until Mama Lene and Papa Lloyd visited and took me in.

Masaya ako sa buhay na mayroon ako ngayon. My parents did everything to make me comfortable and to help me feel at ease. It wasn't an easy job, alam ko kung paano sila nahirapan sa pag-aalaga sakin.

I was a troubled child. Kinailangan kong sumailalam sa napakaraming therapy para lang maging maayos. My father really broke something in me, the therapist said.

"Pero sigurado akong hahanapin siya ng tatay niya, Lloyd. Drake would be the first one he'll look for after he escaped prison. Sa tingin ko ay mas ligtas kung alam ni Drake iyon." agad na kumunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang sinabi ni Mama.

"Drake?" huminga ako ng malalim nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin ni Papa. I smiled at him before finally descending from the stairs.

Mama immediately beamed at me before she opened her arms for a hug.

"Good morning sweety. How's your sleep?" hinalikan ko sa noo si Mama bago sumagot at hinarap si Papa na nakatingin sakin.

"Sino pong pinag-uusapan niyo?" tanong ko kahit na may ideya na ako kung sino. Sandaling nagpalitan ng tingin sina Mama at Papa bago huminga ng malalim si Papa at tumango.

"Your Dad got out of prison, son." nananatyang ani ni Papa.

Alam ko namang si Daddy talaga ang pinaguusapan nila pero ngayong sinabi talaga nila ay hindi ko alam paano magre-react. Tumango lang ako at nginitian sila.

"Anak?" tawag ni Mama sa atensyon ko.

"Ayos lang ako, Ma." Matagal pa akong tinitigan nina Mama at Papa bago sila tumango at sabay akong inakbayan papunta sa may lamesa para kumain ng almusal.

We ate a hearty breakfast just like what we usually do. It's a weekend and we usually spend these days staying at home, watching movies while eating the snacks Mama had prepared. And this day was nothing different.

Dahan dahan akong tumayo mula sa sofa at nag-stretch nang mag-umpisa na ang paglabas ng closing credits sa screen. Napangiti ako nang mapansing nakatulog pala sina Mama. Maingat akong naglakad paalis ng sala at pumasok sa common CR.

I was already washing my hands nang mapaatras ako papalayo sa may lababo matapos kong mag-angat ng tingin sa salamin sa harap ko.

I saw my Dad staring back at me. With his wide smirk as if saying he finally found me.

I closed my eyes tightly and took three consecutive breaths as I tried so hard to gasp my reality.

Madalas ko itong maranasan mula pagkabata. I see my father in front of me everytime I looked into my reflection. My adopted parents had enrolled me into numerous therapies just to get over this and I did. Years ago ay tumigil na ito.

But I guess knowing that he's somehow around near me still terrifies and affects me more than I could admit.

"Lloyd!" napalingon ako nang marinig ang malakas na sigaw ni Mama kasunod ang sunod sunod na pagkabasag ng mga gamit mula sa sala.

Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng banyo at tumakbo papunta sa kanila. But the moment I was about to enter the living room Mama saw me and I saw horror pass through her tearful eyes before she subtly shook her head at me while hugging Papa whose head was bleeding.