Through Fatal Silence (High Class Issue Series #5)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Four years passed. Many things changed, but I can still recall everything all too well. Even though new memories keep coming, I keep going back to the past, where everything was a mess. Wherever I go, or no matter what I do, my mind is always looking for a chance to dig about what happened and trigger my conscience. As everything changed, my life became peaceful; however, something was missing that I couldn't figure out.

Inside those four years, I guess I was living my life to the fullest. Stable job and peaceful life. Those are the things that kept me motivated to live.

After my father's presidency ended, my life was never like before. There are no media anymore and no eyes watching every move I make. It was quiet, which made me nervous.

"What are you doing here? My mom will get mad seeing you," I said when I saw my father come first to visit my mother since it's her death anniversary. He turned around, and his wistful eyes landed on mine. What's with that expression? Is he feeling regretful longing towards my mom?

I walked towards my mom's grave and put the flowers I bought besides my dad's flowers. I don't like him visiting my mom, but I have no choice. Even I tell him not to come to my mother's death anniversary, he always comes. So stubborn that I had enough already.

"Paalis na rin naman ako," sabi niya.

Pinagkrus ko ang dalawang braso ko at tinitigan ang puntod ni Mama. Kahit matagal na siyang wala ay klaro pa rin sa isipan ko kung paano siya nawala at lahat 'yun ay sinisisi ko sa tatay ko. Wala akong ibang masisi kung 'di ang ama ko sa bawat taon na gugunitain ang araw ng pagkamatay niya.

"How are you and Lorelei?" Pangungumusta niya. Akala ko mananahimik lang siya dahil nandito ako pero nagawa niya pa akong kumustahin. Marahil nasa puntod kami ni Mama, wala akong nagawa kung 'di ang sumagot.

"We're doing fine," matipid kong sagot.

"How about Rigan? Do you already know where she is?" He asked, and I wasn't expecting that he would take this chance to mention someone who left last four years ago. I started fidgeting my fingers under my arms crossed when I heard the name. As her name echoed in my ears, I felt suffocated and heavy.

"I don't know where she is, so stop asking me about her." Guilt resurfaced as I tried to escape from being questioned about her. After four years, I never heard anything from her; even the media didn't know where to find her. It was like her existence disappeared from the industry.

"Is it my fault that you cheated?" I clenched my jaw because he didn't stop bringing up the past.

"I'm here for my mom's death anniversary, not to answer your questions," I uttered quietly, and I heard him chuckled, which made my forehead creased.

"I'm not asking you; I was asking myself that is it my fault that you turned out to be like me?" Nagpintig ang tenga ko dahil sa narinig at kaagad na matalim siyang tiningnan. Paano niya naman nasabi 'yun?

"I didn't turn out to be like you," I corrected and declined.