Searing Burst of Rage (Fireheart 2)

Chapter 30

Rage slowly crept in me, it's crawling into my every nerve and the blood in my head started to boil. I thought I'd just stay from behind but I can't just stand here watching my father being humiliated. I know I'm not capable of doing anything that could stand against the mass or cease them, I just want to hold on to him.

I abruptly pull away from Alfe's hold and ran towards Papa. I heard Alfe curse from behind but I ignored it. I squeezed my way through the crowd and made it to the side of the pathway where there are fewer people. Nang makalusot si Papa sa dagat ng mga tao ay agad ko syang sinalubong.

"What are you doing here?" My father was angry.

Alfe was behind me. I thought he didn't chase after me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. "What were you thinking?" galit nyang tanong.

"Go home!" Papa ordered with so much anger.

"Let's go home together," I countered.

What I said angered Papa even more. Why are the people here doing this to Papa? What are they saying he's a thief, a murderer, and a corrupt politician. What is this all about? Some people can hate Papa but they shouldn't do this sort of force.

"Ikaw nga ang anak ng mamamatay tao na yan!" nanlilisik ang mga matang sigaw sa akin ng ginang.

"Mamamatay tao," sigaw sa akin ng isa sabay about saakin pero mabuti at agad akong nailayo ni Alfe.

"Wala syang kasalanan. Wala sya kinalaman sa nangyari dito," sabi ni Alfe sa kanila.

"Kagaya ng ama nya ay magnanakaw!"

"Ibalik nyo ang lupa at negosyo ng mga Fujiwara!"

"Dahil sa inyo ay wala na sila dito at nawalan na din kami ng hanapbuhay!"

"Mga hayop kayo!"

"Mamamatay tao!"

Naguguluhan ako. What are they talking about? They mentioned a name that I'm not even familiar with. What murder and theft are they accusing us of? I've heard about Papa being a bad politician but this accusation is too extreme. This is not right.

Muntik na akong matamaan ng ibinato nila, mabuti nalang ay niyakap ako ni Alfe at hinila palabas ng dagok ng mga tao. Sumunod si Papa sa dinaanan namin at matagumpay na naharangan ng mga pulis ang mga tao sa pagsunod.

"This is the reason why I don't want you to come today," galit na baling ni Papa sa akin nang makarating kami sa loob ng isang day care center.

I'm infuriated as well. "Why? Lahat ba ng sinasabi nila ay totoo?"

I saw how my father was taken aback by what I asked. I'm not believing the people's accusation so long as he says it's not true. They're feigning to ruin my father's reputation, our name.

Pero nakakasiguro akong may rason kung bakit pinaratanagan sya ng ganito. May dahilan kung bakit gusto nilang siraan si Papa. Wala akong ibang malalapitan para malaman ang totoong dahilan, si Papa lang. Si Papa lang ang papaniwalaan ko.

"Come on." I heard Alfe as he squeezed my arm.

I shoved him away and put all my attention on Papa. I badly want him to answer me, to answer me that all of those allegations weren't true.

"Cancel the campaign!" Papa ordered in a condescending tone. "I don't need the people's support here anyway. They are full of bullshit."

"I apologize for the tight spot, Vice. I have no idea this would fall out," an unfamiliar man apologized.

"This is for the lack of your authority!" Papa reprimanded. "Paano mo pamumunuan ang bayan na ito kung hindi mo makontrol ang mga tao?"

"The least I would do as a leader is to control the people. I authorize, yes, but they're free. Wala talaga akong alam dito. Kung alam ko lang ay nakausap ko na sana sila ng masinsinan na huwag itong gawin para maiwasan ang magkasakitan. I want this campaign to be genuine and peaceful as possible," kalmadong sagot nito kasalungat sa galit na si Papa.