Falling apart

Chapter 24

Irene's POV:
Nang makatulog na si Elle ay pinunasan ko ang kanyang katawan because she's having a fever . Her body is full of bruises and quite fragile. I change her clothes and sit beside her . I hold her hand gently massage it . I look at it and it's swolen . What they did to her is just below the belt . They look more older than Ellie and Ellie didn't put up a fight , the fact that she's having martial arts lessons and di man lang sya lumaban , I know it's because of our name . Napaluha nalang ako dahil alam kong she listened to us . Wag na wag lumaban dahil alam namin ang katotohanan . Im afraid that she would not out grow the fear of going outside or in public . I can see her fear and the way she run for me kanina . Alam kong may mali na sa kanya. Simon said na nag banyo lang si Elle then He wondered why she's taking too long at nang lumabas sya ay nakita nalang niya si Elle na nasa parking lot stumbled on the ground . Paano kami makaka visit sa orphanage tomorrow kung ganito sya . Her brothers are so mad and Greggy tries to calm them down . They are still shouting right now . They said its unfair for their sister cause she's only a teen and there are numerous of them . The kids are crying , worried about their Tita . There's a lot going on right now . Napahagulgol nalang ako dahil nakita ko sa awang ng pinto na Alfonso is punching the wall because of frustration. Greggy enters the room and hug me . "Greggy... sobra na sila ! Ok lang na ako nalang masaktan wag lang ang mga anak ko ..." I cried . "Shh Hon dont cry we need to be strong for her . Nahanap na nila Bonget yung mga bumugbog sa kanya and they're already in the police station . I didn't allow the boys to come there kasi alam kong gulo ang mangyayari and that is why Alfonso got frustrated . Wag ka na umiyak Hon baka marinig ka ni Elle gusto mo ba yon ?" Tanong nya na agad akong umiling . "Will they go to jail ?" Tanong ko . "Yes they will , They are on their legal age already . Hinihintay nalang ang mga abogado nila . Ako na ang kakausap sa media . All you have to do is to take care of our daughter ok ?" He explained and I agree . "How are we gonna go home ? Mainit ang media sa atin ." Tanong ko . "Hon Im afraid that we have to stay a couple more days here sa Ilocos because we have to attend some court hearings ." Sabi nya . "But how about Elle ? Kailangan pa ba na nandoon sya sa court ?" Tanong ko . "Hindi na kailangan Hon , parating narin si Doctor Suarez to check on her at kung hindi man bumuti ang mental state ni Elle kailangan na rin siguro natin ng psychiatrist for her , She have suffered a lot of damages physically and mentally. We'll present medical records for evidence. "Sabi nya . "I think we need a psychiatrist now Hon . Mapakita man lang natin na malaking damage ang ginawa nila sa anak ko ." Sabi ko . "Ok Hon I'll tell that to Manang but for now you must rest kung ayaw mong pati ikaw magkasakit ok ?" Tanong nya at tumango ako . "I love you" He said and kiss me on the forehead before he left the room .
Elle Im sorry you have to go through this ... but dont worry we'll make sure they'll end up in jail . We will fight fairly Anak . The law will fight for us . Please be okay soon , I dont wanna see you like this . Inayos ko ang covers nya before I left the room to catch up with the case we filed.

I walk downstairs seeing them in the living room . I sat beside Greggy who hold my hand .
"Kamusta na yung kaso Bonget ?" Tanong ko sa kanya . "It's on going na Irene . Inaasikaso na ng mga lawyers natin so you dont have to worry , Hindi na nila malalapitan si Elle ." Sabi ni Bonget na agad naman akong tumango . Simon is from the kitchen holding a glass of water and gave it to me . "Tita Im really sorry dapat sinamahan ko nalang si Elle that time ." Sabi nya sa akin and hold my shoulder , I hold his hand and reassure him that everything is fine between us . "It's not your fault Simon , everything will be fine . We just have to pray that Elle will recover faster ." I said and smile at him . "Okay Tita I'll go ahead it seems you're talking about the case ." He said. "Ok go ahead ." I said and he made his way to his cousins .
"Greggy nasabi mo na ba kay Irene ?" Tanong ni Manang kay Greggy kaya naman bumaling ako sa kanya . "Ano yun Greggy ?" Tanong ko sa kanya . "Hon I am planning to move us in America ." Sabi naman nya . "Ha ? Bakit ?" Tanong ko . "I think Tine will get more health attention there and what happened now to Elle . I think its the best for the twins' safety. "He explained. "But how about the adoption ?" Tanong ko . "Anong adoption?" Tanong nila Manang at Bonget . I sighed and put my hands together . "We are planning to grant the twins' wish . We're gonna adopt a child." Sabi ko. "Sigurado na ba kayo dyan Irene ? What happened now to Elle is pretty terrible. I worry if it's  safe to adopt a baby right now ." Sabi naman ni Manang. I get her point . "Oo nga Irene . Hindi naman sa ayaw namin pero I think now is not the right time . Mag sisimula na ang election campaign ni Matt , Delikado para sa bata ." Sabi ni Bonget. I look at Greggy who is in his thoughts. "Greggy what do you think ?" Tanong ko sa kanya . "Mama Meldy also worries about our safety . We have to assign body guards for each one of us , thats what she commanded ." Sabi ni Bonget . "Greg ?" I call him and hold his hand . "Well if that's the case then We should postpone the adoption . We need to make sure of our safety ." Sabi nya with quite a disappointment in his tone . I massage his hand and smile . "Maybe after the election ? Hmm ?" I ask as he nod . "Maybe Hon ." He said plainly . "How is Elle ?" Tanong ni Greggy. "She's still sleeping right now ." Sabi ko sa kanya and play with our hands . "What do you think about moving to California?" Tanong nya that made me sigh . "I'll think about it Hon . Dont worry I'll consider the twins ." Sabi ko sa kanya . The doorbell rang . "I'll get it." Sabi ni Manang at binuksan ng pinto .
"Irene , Greg Doc. Suarez and Doc. San Juan are here !!" She yelled . "Please come in." Sabi ni Manang as the doctors enter .