Loving the Sky (College Series #3)

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

TW: Mention of Violence

‍‍‍‍‍"Sino?" I asked, my voice shaking terribly. "Sino ang mga binalak patayin ni Daddy?"

Clifford looked away. I couldn't take it. Ni hindi ko pa nga malunok ang katotohanan na pinatay ni Daddy si Abuelo... tapos ngayon, malalaman ko na may iba pang mga biktima?

I grabbed Cliff's left arm, but he didn't turn to me again. Tumigil ang taxi kaya tumingin ako sa labas. I panicked again. Nasa tapat na kami ng building ng unit. Lumabas si Cliff bitbit ang gamit ko dahil hindi ko na magawang hawakan ang mga ito sa labis na panginginig.

"Cliff, sino?!" I hissed.

He looked at me with so much sadness. "A-ang mabuti pa ay si Harvin na ang kausapin mo..."

Natulala ako sa sinabi niya. There was a chain of ideas that ran through my head. The longer this went on, the more labored my breathing became. Kahit noong nasa elevator na kami ay parang sasabog ang puso ko sa kaba.

My eyes watered when I remembered Rouge's scarred and bruised back.

"N-no..." I shook my head like a mad woman. I massaged my temple because it was throbbing. The fear in my chest was taking over my whole being.

The elevator opened, but my feet were glued to the floor. Lumabas si Cliff at tinitigan ako ngunit wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi ang tahimik na tumangis.

"It's not your fault, Debs," mahinang aniya bago ako higitin para sa mainit na yakap. "Your father's sins were not yours. You were a victim yourself..."

I pressed my face against his chest and sobbed. I tried to stifle my cries, but I couldn't. Sumisikip ang dibdib ko sa labis na paghikbi habang hawak lang ako ni Cliff. I couldn't imagine the brutality of my father. I couldn't imagine what he had done to Rouge's family.

I cried there for minutes. Parang hindi ko kayang pumunta sa unit. What if Rouge took Alya because of so much wrath? What if he ran away? And what if he was... there? How would I face him?

"Let's go, Debs... alam kong marami kang tanong at sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, isang tao lang ang makakasagot ng mga 'yan." Cliff held my arm gently and guided me until we reached the unit.

It was six in the evening. I clenched my fists, and I felt my nails digging into my palms. It hurt, but the pain I felt when I thought about everything that had happened hurt me more.

Cliff had a spare key. Binuksan niya ang pinto at ganoon na lang ang paghikbi ko nang makita ang dalawang taong laman ng isipan ko. I bit the insides of my cheeks when I noticed that they were having their peaceful evening together. Itinitirintas ni Rouge ang buhok ni Alya habang nakaupo sila sa couch.

Sa narinig na pagbubukas ng pinto ay sabay pa silang napatingin sa amin. Dumiretso si Cliff sa loob at tahimik na inilagay ang gamit ko roon. He went to Rouge and tapped his shoulder. Matapos 'yon ay pumunta ulit siya sa akin para bigyan ako ng yakap.

"Contact me if you need help. Inilagay ko ang number ko d'yan sa phone na hawak mo," bulong niya bago ako pakawalan.

"Mommy!" Alya shouted before running toward me. Niyakap niya nang mahigpit ang baywang ko at ipinahinga ang ulo sa tyan ko. My tears stopped falling, but I knew that my cheeks were still wet.

Hinigit niya ako papasok sa loob. I was just looking at Rouge, lips parted.

"Ba't umiiyak ka, My? Sinong nang-away sa 'yo?" maliit ang boses na tanong ni Alya.

I shook my head and gave her a small smile. Guilt flooded my system. Iniisip ko na baka itinakbo na ni Rouge ang anak namin pero narito siya at inaayusan pa si Alya.