Fragments ✔ (Haciendero #2)

Ikaapatnapu't Limang Kabanata

Kabanata 45

Revelation

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide

"I'm going back to the city," I sighed. "And it's time for us to part ways..."

"Is it because of what happened last time? Catherine, I'm---"

"Walang nangyari, Gio. Don't make it sound like something happened between us. I would never let you cheat under my watch."

He shook his head. "I did, Catherine. Mayroon akong girlfriend pero iba ang laman ng isip ko. I couldn't even remember her while I'm with you. Isn't that cheating?" Huminga siya nang malalim. "It's not your fault, it's mine."

Ilang minutong katahimikan ang pumailanlang sa aming dalawa. "Kinausap ko sina Atlas at Oliver, p'wede ka nilang tulungan. And'yan din si ate Lope at ang mga pinsan mo. All you have to do is ask, Gio. Hindi masamang humingi ng tulong."

Hindi ko magawang salubungin ang kanyang tingin. "'Wag na nating pahirapan pa ang ating mga sarili. Wala na akong lugar sa buhay mo. It should stay that way. Nabulag ako ng kagustuhan kong malaman ang katotohanan. Who wouldn't? In that two years, it was rough for me..." Now, I have to move on with or without Gio's explanation for myself.

Maybe, someday I would know. Maybe, someday I am healed and would just smile remembering the days I was hurt.

"I wish you all the good things, Gio."

Tinalikuran ko ang lalaking dating minahal ko at mamahalin hanggang maubos ang pagmamahal na mayroon ako. Sumakay ako ng sasakyan.

Bago umuwi, dumaan muna ako sa puntod ng aking mga magulang at anak.

"Miss ko na naman kayo, kahit magparamdam man lang bilang multo hindi niyo magawa." Pabiro kong sabi.

Hindi naman ako matatakot kung dadalawin nila ako, I would be happy seeing them again. Nagsindi ako ng kandila.

"Daddy, sana sa susunod na dalaw ko, maayos na ako." Madalas ko pa rin silang kinakausap kahit wala nang sasagot sa akin.

"Musika, one day, your father will know about you." Ngumiti ako at pinahid ko ang aking luha sa pisngi. "Hindi pa lang ngayon, anak. Hayaan muna natin siyang maging masaya. One day, he'll know about your existence and I'll bring him here. Magpapagaling muna si mama. I missed you so much."

Gio will know about our precious daughter.

***

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko at tinanggap ang envelope na galing sa private investigator. Huminga ko nang malalim. Nangangatal ang aking kamay habang binubuksan ang envelope.

"Those files were from the hospital Mr. Ponce was admitted for several months," saad ng lalaki.

Kinalma ko muna ang aking sarili, ramdam ko ang pagtibok ng aking puso. Abot kamay ko na ang katotohanan. "It was Mr. Laurio and his daughter who brought Mr. Ponce to the nearest hospital."

"What do you mean? Andoon ba sila noong naaksidente si Gio?"

Tumango ang lalaking imbestigador. "It wasn't reported to any officials. Wala akong nahanap na reported case sa pulisya. Tanging records lang ng hospital ang mayroon si Mr. Ponce. He used the name Gio but a different surname. Pinalabas nilang kaibigan ang kanyang pamilya ng mga Laurio at wala ng ibang kukupkop sa lalaki."

Nahilo ako sa bagong impormasyon. My mind was trying to digest all the things he said. Isang tanong ang tumimo sa aking isipan. "May kinalaman ba sila sa aksidente ni Gio?"