Kabanata 5...
Reputation
Hindi ko mabalikan ng tingin ang asawa ni Attorney Diwa na ngayon ay umiiyak na habang kausap si Daddy. Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa coffin na hindi ko man lang malapitan at tumama ang mata sa anak nito.
She was just staring blankly at her father's coffin, thinking out of this world while a man beside him is softly brushing his fingers through her hair. I wonder then if it was her boyfriend, but now's not the time to think about that.
"Don't cry..." mommy whispered and roam her eyes.
Given that it's Attorney Diwa's last wake, the funeral home is packed with people.
Huminga ako ng malalim at umayos nang upo kasabay nang pagkurap-kurap para pigilin ang luhang nagbabadya.
God, bless his soul. Wherever he is right now, I hope he's peaceful and... I hope he forgives us.
It was the time before we leave when Alessandro arrived in the funeral home's door with a girl curling her arm on his. I pursed my lips and gave him a smile before walking behind my mom, and Daddy who was still, talking to some people.
"Mahirap para sa ating lahat, alam ko. Kapatid na rin ang turing ko kay Attorney Diwa. Gan'yan talaga siguro ang buhay, may mawawala at mawawala." I heard Daddy.
People shed tears at his speech.
"All we can do now is pray for his soul and wish him better," Daddy added.
Biglang malakas na kalabog ang nagpatili at inboluntaryong upo sa'kin. Mariing pikit ang mata ko at mga kamay ay pawang nakatakip sa tenga. Mabilis ang paghinga, at ang panginginig ng kalamnan sa takot ay hindi na napigilan.
Everyone fell silent, and I felt an arm immediately hauled me to stand up. It was Mommy's. Then I realized every eye's already looking at me, and the loud bang wasn't something harmful.
"U-Una na ako sa sasakyan..."
With my heart pounding down the tracks, I walk with embarrassment and so much terror outside the funeral home.
Akala ko'y may mga mamamaril na naman!
Malalim at masakit ang paghinga ko habang nakadantay ang braso sa sasakyan para suportahan ang sarili.
"Ayos ka lang?"
Napatalon ako sa gulat at kung hindi napigilan ang sarili ay tutumba pa ako sa sahig.
"I'm fine!"
Alessandro didn't even flinch with my uproar and just stare at me in concern.
"Calm down," sabay abot ng bottled water.
I look at him and glance at the bottled water before slowly reaching it with a hand.
"Thank you..."
Pinanood n'ya lang ako habang iniinom ko iyon.
Natanaw ko si Mommy na mabilis ang lakad patungo sa amin. Minabilis ko ang pag inom at agad inabot 'yon kay Alessandro pero umiling s'ya.
"Keep it."
I just nod since Mommy's nearing us. Bumagal ang lakad nito nang dumapo ang paningin n'ya kay Alessandro. Mommy smiled and so as Alessandro before bidding his goodbye.
"What was that?" Mariin at malamig ang tingin ni Mommy nang makapasok kami sa sasakyan.
"I was just scared..."
"Takot ka sa tunog ng folder na tumama sa lamesa?"
Umiling ako at nag iwas ng tingin. "I'm sorry..."
BINABASA MO ANG
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