Garden of Wounds (Panacea Series #1)

Chapter 43

Forty-three.

I believe you do not look for a happy life; You make it. The best feeling is watching things finally fall into its right places after watching them falling apart for so long.

"He... really committed suicide?" Margarette's eyes widened, still shocked because of my revelations.

They are in our house. They decided to visit us because of what happened. Nandito rin si Elaine at Adiel. Kazuo is with Margarette. Tahimik lamang si Kazuo sa kan'yang tabi, mukhang may malalim na iniisip. Nakakuyom ang kan'yang kamao. Galit na galit pa rin siya sa nangyari. I know he endured this for a long time. Kung hindi lang dahil sa akin, matagal na niyang sinugod noon si Ambrielle.

Wala na kaming magagawa. Patay na 'yong tao.

"Hindi niya kinaya 'yong pagsisisi," sagot ko.

"May konsensya pa rin pala siya..." Ate Elaine spoke.

"The atmosphere is a bit tense. Chill!" Adiel laughed.

Tahimik din si Zavion sa aking tabi. Si Adiel ang nagpapagaan ng paligid. Kung hindi dahil sa kan'ya, marahil ay nagwala na si Kazuo.

"H'wag ka nang magalit diyan, Zavion. Nagkabalikan na nga kayo ni Elvira, e. May anak pa talaga!" Humalakhak siya. "Hindi n'yo kaya 'yon!" He boasted.

"Adiel..." Elaine warned him.

Zavion glared at him. Tinawanan lang siya ni Adiel. Inaya ko na lang silang kumain dahil baka ay magkainitan sa init ng ulo ng dalawa.

"Kaya gusto kong kasama 'tong si Zavion. Hindi ka nalulugi sa pagkain."

"Excuse me, Elvira prepared that all," Elaine rolled her eyes.

"Parehas pa rin! Alangan, dadamihan at sasarapan ni Elvira 'yong pagkain dahil nand'yan si Zavion!"

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Ramdam ko ang pag-iinit ng aking mga pisngi.

"Tumahimik ka riyan, Adiel, ah! Ikaw lang 'yong maingay rito!"

"Si Margarette din naman, ang ingay-ingay!"

I breathe deeply and massaged my temple. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita dahil hindi papatalo 'tong si Adiel. Sasabat at sasabat pa rin talaga.

After eating, we decided to visit Papa. Elaine was the one who brought our foods and picnic mat. Ever since our Papa died, walang araw na pinalagpas si Kazuo upang bisitahin ang libingan ni Papa. He was buried next to my grandparents. Until now, it hurts seeing his my Papa's grave.

I put a flower on his grave. My eyes narrowed when I saw something. Nakita ko roon ang isang pamilyar na bulaklak. Luminya ang aking labi nang mapagtanto kong galing kay Mama 'yon. She runs a flower shop. So... galing siya rito, huh?

"You know, your Father was there when I looked for you," Zavion started speaking. Nakatingin din siya sa lapida, gaya ko. "He said he's blaming himself for not being a good father to you. Nasanay ka raw kasi na hindi binibigyan ng atensyon ng magulang. Nangapa siya noon... kaya nagsisi rin siya noong nawala ka sa kanila. Sabay ka naming hinanap noon..."

"I heard you're going through a lot... and I saw Kazuo in you house. That time, I didn't know he's your brother," he whispered. "Kailanman, hindi ako naduwag pagdating sa pagmamahal sa 'yo. I will always take a risk because it's you... but when I saw you, carrying a child, I know I have to step backward. May pamilya ka na... may asawa ka na."