Aeipathy

Chapter 22

Eris

My gunshot is painful but so is my heart.

I'm so sorry, Mommy. I really am.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang lalong mapaiyak nang marinig yung huling pakiusap ni Mommy kay Tita Sammie bago ako tuluyan na hayaang makalaya sa mga ito.

To give me a choice. A choice to be whoever I want to be this time.

Freedom.

All of the things that both of my parents never had growing up.

Being a Mom's karma? Did I really said those mean words to her right upfront?

Kinagat ko yung pang-ibabang labi ko para mapigilan ang mapahagulgol. I just hit my mother's weakest spot just for what? Just to save Tris from her wrath?

Is it even worth it all?

Sigurado ako na hindi kasi nito titigilan si Tris hangga't nakakatayo pa iyon. So I had to put the blame on me so she would soon stop hurting innocent people. But No. Never had I wish to become someone else. I love carrying her name. I love being her daughter. I am never ashamed that I am a Silva. Kahit pa hindi maganda yung reputasyon ng pamilya namin sa iba.

"Everything will be okay, Eris." Patuloy lang si Tris na hinahaplos yung likod ko. Yakap pa din ako nito kahit nang makarating na kami sa quarters ni Tita Sammie na malayo sa pinanggalingan namin kanina.

"Let her go, Tris. Move aside. I need to check her arm."

"B-but Mom.." Tumingin sakin si Tris, halatang nag-aalala, bago umiling sa Mommy nito. "No. I won't. Dito lang ako."

"Silly." Naiinip na tinanggal ng Mommy nito yung mga braso nitong nakayakap sakin at saka ito itinulak. "I don't need you here for the meantime. Seek treatment for your bruises bago pa mag-iba ang kulay nyan at pareho tayong malagot sa Mama mo. Nasa kabilang kwarto si Doc Reese."

"No." umurong lang ng kaunti si Tris pero hindi tuluyang tumayo. "Baka may masakit pa kay Eris. Dito muna ako."

"You're not a doctor, Tris. Wala kang maitutulong." I almost choke when I heard how blunt her mother was for saying that upfront. "You're just a bummer that's delaying the medical attention that Eris needs. So please do us a favor and do what I've told you to do. Leave us alone."

Parang walang narinig na lumipat sa kabilang couch at nagcross arms lang si Tris. Matigas talaga yung ulo.

Nagpapasensyang tiningnan lang ni Tita Sammie yung anak nito. "Tris?"

"Wait lang, 'My. I just need to make sure that Eris is fine. Once I'm sure that she's no longer in pain, I'll leave the room in silence and will seek treatment for my bruises."

"Naguguilty ka na ba sa ginawa mo?" Kalmanteng sinimulan ni Tita Sammie na tanggalin yung benda ng sugat ko. Dumugo na kasi ulit iyon. "You made Eris take Grant's wrath for you. Does it make you happy?"

Hindi sumagot si Tris. Tahimik lang na nakatingin samin ng Mommy nito. Parang napapaso pa nga ako sa tiim at bigat ng bawat titig nito.

"Why didn't you help us, Mom?"

"Grant and I are almost siblings, Tris. Even if you're my daughter, I still have my high respect for that woman." Patuloy lang ni Tita Sammie habang nililinisan yung sugat ko. "You made that mess on your own so clean it up yourself."

Kumuyom lang yung kamao ni Tris. Nag-iwas ng tingin sakin na para bang nahihiya dahil harap-harapang sinasabi dito ng Mommy nito na mas mahalaga pa din yung Mom ko kesa dito na sarili nitong anak.