Sailing Against the Tides (CS #1)

Chapter 22

.

Livy
"Kakausapin ko lang si Mommy. Salamat sa paghatid."

Their unsure eyes followed my movement. I bit my lip to hold back the sob that's trying to be let out. Worry and concern were visible in their eyes.

"Are you sure?" Lou asked softly. "Okay. But please call us if you want to talk. Andito lang kami."

"Livy, sis," George said.

May humaplos sa puso ko sa nakikita sa mga mata nila. Tumango ako at ngumiti. "Thank you guys."

To: Nikolo
I'm at the house. I may stay here for a little while.

From: Nikolo
Alright. I love you.

I love you, Niko. Huminga ako ng malalim tsaka naglakad papasok sa bahay. Dumiretso ako sa ikalawang palapag. Hindi ko nakita si Mommy so umakyat ako sa ikatlong palapag, papunta sa kuwarto ko. Napaupo ako sa paanan ng kama ko at napasapo sa mukha. I tried calming myself. I did my best to steady my mind. Am I gonna ask my Mom or pretend that I don't know?

"Tanga," mapakla akong natawa. "Of course I won't let my Mom pretend further and let her get hurt even more in order to hide from me what I already know!"

Muling pumasok sa isip ko ang kahayupang ginawa ni Dad kanina. The way he held the woman in his arms and kissed her as if he is not married! As if he doesn't have a daughter!

Naglandas ang mga luhang kahit anong pilit kong pigilan ay wala pa rin. Kusa silang nagbagsakan. Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko at hinayaan ang sarili kong humikbi. Mabilis kong pinahid ang mga luhang naglandas.

"No, Livy. You can't cry," marahas kong sikmat aa sarili ko hababg umiiyak. "I can't cry!" I wiped my tears away and strengthened my mind. I have to be strong for my Mom. She needs me more now. I can't stay here and cry out loud.

I have to be strong. To stay strong. For my Mom.

After calming myself, I went out of my room. Pinuntahan ko si Mommy sa kuwarto nila sa ikalawang palapag. But she wasn't there. I stopped on my tracks when I heard shoutings downstairs. Kumalabog ang dibdib ko. I anticipated what was about to come.

"You dare to step foot in this home after going out with your mistress?! Ang kapal ng mukha mo na magpakita pa sa akin! Now you're questioning me why I won't let you lay a hand on me or kiss me?!" The pain in my Mom's voice made my heart break for her. She looks so tired. Lagi siyang hindi nakakatulog ng maayos, ilang gabi na.

"Mistress, what? I'm not cheati–" my Dad tried to deny any accusations. Napasapo ako sa bibig ko nang marinig ang malakas na tunog ng sampal.

"Where did I lack, Hernan?! Saan ako nagkulang? Kasi alam ko naman sa sarili kong ginawa ko ang lahat para maging mabuting asawa sa'yo. Sabihin mo sa akin kung saan ako nagkulang!"

Nanginginig akong napahawak sa railings ng hagdan habang pinapanood kung paano nanghihinang sinuntok-suntok ni Mommy ang dibdib ni Dad. Sa halip na makisawaaw agad sa usapan nila, nanatili akong tahimik rito sa kinatatayuan ko.

"I don't know what you're talking about, please," Dad's lie made me chuckle lowly in bitterness. His face is too thick. Napakawalanghiya.

"What? You're telling me I'm making up stories?" Mom chuckled dryly. "I gave you all my love. And I did my best to be a perfect wife to you."

"That's the problem. You were just too clingy these past weeks. Nakakasakal." He said, turning the blame towards my Mom for his immoral act.