The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 32

Kabanata 32

Dumped

Isang public defender, natagpuang patay.

Prosecutor, nabaril matapos makatanggap ng mga death threats. Isang Mayor, hinihinalang suspek.

I immediately turned off the television with the remote control.

My silent soft sobs were the only sound I'd been hearing in my room for almost three days now.

My brother was shot.

Attorney Kaye died.

Yet no one even asked or visited me, asking if I was okay.

I crave and demand comfort, is it wrong to ask?

I understand how people are busy with their own lives, dealing with each other's battles, but it does not even take you five minutes to ask a person. Am I asking for too much?

Jace did not even text me.

My heartbeat started to race when my phone rang three times.

My forehead wrinkled and my lips parted after reading a text message from a person I did not expect to.

0929742****: nagising na si Kuya.

0929742****: si Kuya mooo! Kuya mo. Pasensya, typo lang.

0929742****: Attorney Gueverra nga pala 'to.

When I accidentally glanced in a mirror beside my bed, I caught myself smiling peculiarly.

***

"Just visit him today... or tomorrow. It's your brother, Sonnet. He's waiting for you."

I rolled my eyes at them and sighed heavily as I averted my eyes.

"Keevah's right. You should at least visit him. I don't know what your reasons are but... ikaw nalang ang pamilya niya," Reighn added.

They invaded my condo just to tell me that I should visit Kuya.

"Ayoko," matigas na pagkakasabi ko.

Malakas ang buntong hiningang pinakawalan nila. Lumapit sa akin si Keevah at umupo sa harap ko.

"Hindi ka na bata, Sonnet. Kahit thirty minutes lang, puntahan mo—"

"I said I don't want to!"

I couldn't help myself but to yell in front of her face para ipamukha ko sa kanya na ayaw ko at hindi niya ako mapipilit.

I saw how Reighn shook her head at Keevah and it seemed like they were talking through their eyes.

"Sonnet—"

"I waited for the two of you to ask me if I was okay five days ago..." I began.

My face remained serious.

"But you didn't. No one was there for me when I was feeling hopeless."

The two of them swallowed hard.

"I clearly understand that you are all busy. But I am your friend. Alam niyo ang nangyayari pero hindi man lang kayo nagparamdam sa 'kin."

I wiped the tears that were about to fall and averted my gaze from them.

"You know it is hard for me being kicked out from my job at Sienna after my mom went to jail and a few reporters were dying to ask questions."

Reighn gave me a hug. "Sorry... sorry. We thought you needed to be alone."