When Everything Fails (De Chavez #2)

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

AFTER THE call, the instant surge of panic quaked through me, making me immobile for at least a second or two. The twirling of fear and absolute sadness ruptured the glass around my heart, making its heartbeat skyrocket like it was ready to wreak-havoc the ribs ensconced around it.

When I gathered all the strength I could muster, I sucked in an air to breathe before looking at Sue who was curiously looking at me as if waiting for me to elaborate the emotions that exude from my eyes through the act of speaking. But right now, fear had dried my throat, making it difficult to speak. Pero kahit na hirap na hirap ako ay sinubukan ko pa ring magsalita.

"Si Papa," I quivered tremendously, "B-because of his drunkenness, he toppled down the stair. His left arm was fractured."

Sue's eyes widened, "What?!"

Huminga ako nang malalim. I raked my hand through my hair before looking at her straight in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, maiwan na muna kita dito. I really needed to check on my father."

She shrugged and shook her head, "I don't mind at all. Just take care, alright?"

Tumango nalang ako at agad nang umalis sa cafeteria. Sobra ang kaba ko ngayon. This was the first time Papa reached that point of being drunk. Nabalian pa siya ng buto dahil doon! I tightly closed my eyes as I prayed hard, and asked for the mercy of Heaven to make him all right.

Ang aga palang ay lasing na siya. Paano nalang kung may raid ang mga kakilala niya sa showbiz? In front of the camera, Papa showed no care about the decampment of her; he always showed his smile despite the dead heart he was carrying. Dahil doon, masasabi kong magaling talagang actor ang ama ko. He could fake his emotions; even his eyes could emit emotions that completely contradicted the emotions on his heart. He never showed to anyone that her decampment was his greatest downfall.

As I extruded myself from the cafeteria, the scorching sun situated in the middle poured its magnificent glow, sending a twinge on my bare skin. The sense of alarm and panic pushed me to charge to the gate. As I reached the gate, I stopped, bent a little, and planted my palm over my knees and I tried to catch my breath. Sa init ng panahon, nasisiguro kong namumula na naman ang pisngi ko.

Our driver was already outside the gate, waiting for me. After a second or five of catching up with my breath, I take the path where our SUV with a brisk pace. When I finally got in the car, a torrent of questions gushed out of my mouth. Mang Cesar was informative about the condition of my Father and he also gave me brief information as to how it happened. He was dead drunk, I get it. But right now was the worst. Hindi naman umaabot sa puntong maaaksidente na siya considering that he had the image to maintain.

Alam naman niya na pagsobrang lasing na siya ay dapat manatili nalang siya sa kwarto niya. Even he was in complete drunkenness, he would not dare to do things that can lead him to an accident. He always thinks about what the paparazzi would tell about him. Baka nga ngayon palang ay laman na ng balita ang aking ama. I gritted my teeth as I dug my fingers of my right hand into my left wrist. I bit the inside of my cheek as I let the heat of disappointment sears through me.

Love. I figured out.

It was the emotion that could wrap a person into ecstasy, fill him or her with do much euphoria, plopping into the soothing cloud-nine but when you get used to that feeling, you'll be addicted, you will be caged in your own room of illusions and will be blinded for the possibilities of the raring pain attached to that heavenly emotion. Some people were only used of the happiness it can cause and it shocked them when pain occurs in a sudden motion, making them immobile, crippled, and haywire.