Missing Chances

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

SILENCE filled the whole room. My mouth parted and no one dared to talk. No one dared to even breathe.

What the fuck is happening?"

I saw Delilah smile softly and bowed her head a bit.

"Magandang gabi po," she greeted.

"Wait..." My forehead creased, my emotion in knots.

Anger, shock, pain–I don't know what I was supposed to feel.

"I-is this some kind of joke?" I snapped, my voice hard.

Papa closed his eyes, bago iyon ay nakita ko ang sakit sa mata niya at parang nadurog ang puso ko nang umiling siya sa akin.

"It's true," he said in a low voice.

Muli kaming natahimik na lahat. Damang-dama ko ang hapdi sa dibdib sa sakit ng paglagabog no'n. I was trying to control myself or else, I'd burst. I was already trembling in anger kaya sumandal ako sa sofa at humugot ng hininga.

Is this a nightmare? Can I fucking wake up now?

"I-I'm sorry..." Papa sighed and brushed his hair frustratedly, glancing at my mother who was only looking at him coldly.

Walang salitang namutawi kay Mama. Ni 'di ko mabasa ang reaksyon niya dahil hindi niya ipapakita ko pero alam ko. Alam kong sa loob-loob niya'y nadudurog na siya sa sakit.

Papa's eyes were so soft, sad and apologetic. Nakita ko ang nangingilid na luha niya at halos lumapit na kay Mama.

"K-Kaia, I'll explain—"

"You cheated me?" Mama's cold and pained voice filled the room.

Nangilid ang luha ko sa boses niya at gusto na lang siyang yakapin.

"N-no!" Papa gasped and shook his head. "I didn't! I could never—"

I gasped when Mama stood and slapped his cheek.

"Then whose child is that woman, Dash Rakiel?!" Mama screamed and my heart constricted in pain.

Lalapit sana ako para hawakan si Mama pero nahuli ni Kuya ang mata ko at kaagad akong inilingan. I closed my fist. My brother glanced at Delilah coldly and I caught the bitch hiding a smile.

I could kill right now.

"She's..." Papa sighed. "I-I had her before I met you. I-I didn't... I wouldn't cheat on you, Kaia." Sa kabila ng pamumula ng pisngi niya ay nakita ko ang pagsumamo sa mga mata niya.

"I-I swear to you." Napatayo na ako nang makita ko ang paghulog ng luha sa mga mata niya. "I-I swear to my life, I wouldn't do that to you. M-mahal na mahal kita, Kaia—please listen."

Mama stayed composed and serious yet she's in the verge of crying, kita ko ang panginginig ng balikat niya at ang pagkuyom ng kamay. Hindi niya sinagot ang Papa at sumulyap kay Delilah.

"Who are you?" she asked her formally and strictly, her voice strained.

"I-I'm Delilah Racquel Vicente, Ma'am..." Delilah's voice shook. "M-my mother used Racquel to remind her of my father, Dash Rakiel—"

"I am not asking where your name came from, I am asking who you are," mariing sabi ni Mama.

Mama's been serious. Nagalit na siya sa amin noon dahil pasaway at makulit kami ni Kuya but this is the very first time it was like this.

It was scary, chilling and painful. Ipinikit ko ang mata ko para pigilan ang luha.

"I'm D-Delilah po." I saw how tears filled her eyes. "I-I'm sorry po, I didn't mean to ruin your family, g-gusto ko lang naman pong magpakilala sa Papa ko—"