CONSEQUENCE OF TEMPTATION

Chapter Seventeen

"Zephyr! Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Salubong ni mommy sa'kin. Hindi naman ako umimik at inabot si Zach sa kanya.

"Can you take care of my son for a while, mom?" I asked and didn't wait for her answer. Agad akong pumunta sa bar counter at nilaklak ang unang alak na nahawakan ko.

I still can't believe what happened. Parang panaginip lang pero alam kong tunay to. It was painful but I can't even shed a tear. I'm hurting but my body feels numb. I just want to get drunk and forget everything.

"Son." I didn't look back when dad called me. Tumabi ito sa'kin at nagsalin ng scotch sa isang baso, "Care to tell what happened?"

"I'm fine." I answered. Hindi to umimik at sinamahan lang akong uminom. Ayaw kong magsalita ng kahit ano. Problema ko lang to kaya sosolus'yunan ko din tong mag-isa.

"It's just a challenge, Zephyr. Hurting and being in pain. Matalino ka, alam kong malalampasan mo to." Saad ni dad at tinapik ang balikat ko, "We're here for you." He added and left me. This is all I need, being alone and quiet. But that's what I thought.

I heard Bela's voice calling my name. I don't want to see her but my body automatically walked towards the voice. Nakita ko si Bela kasama ang pamilya ko habang umiiyak to. As soon as she saw me, she run towards me and hugged me.

"Please, makinig ka muna sa'kin. Ayusin natin to. Let me explain." Saad niya pero kinalas ko lang ang yakap niya sa'kin.

"I had enough, Bela." I tiredly said, "Let's just end this."

"Zephyr..." She cried. Agad naman siyang nilapitan ni mommy at inalo.

"Anak, ayaw kong makialam sa problema n'yo pero pakinggan mo muna si Bela." Mom said.

"Just make her leave mom. Ayaw ko na siyang makita." Sagot ko.

"Zephyr, ayusin n'yo ang problema—"

"There's nothing to fix mom! She lied to me! She left my son in my door and you're telling me to fix the problem?!" I bursted in anger. Natahimik naman sila, "This woman mom, this woman left my son. Siya ''yung babaeng inabandona ang sariling anak dahil lang sa gusto niyang gumanti sa'kin! Tell me, how can I forgive her?!"

"I'm sorry—"

"Sorry?!" I cut Bela off, "Alam mo bang muntik nang mawala si Zach sa'kin?! Bakit? Kasi wala ka dun para tulungan akong alagaan siya! Alam mo ba kung ilang beses kitang minura sa utak ko noon dahil sa pag-iwan mo sa anak ko?! Tapos sasabihin mo sorry?! Hindi ko kailangan yan Bela! What I need is you get out of my sight or wait for me to drag you out!"

"H-Hindi ko ginusto 'yun. I was left with no choice. Magnus told—"

"Magnus, Magnus! Puro ka Magnus! Bakit hindi ka na lang sumama sa hinayupak na Magnus na 'yun?! Tutal siya naman talaga ang mahal mo 'di ba?!" Putol kong muli sa kanya. Humagulgol lang to sa harap ko at wala kong ibang maramdaman kundi galit, "Just leave! I don't want to see you again!"

"Zephyr—"

"Leave!" I pulled her arm and drag her out of our house. Pinigilan naman ako ni dad pero pinaalis ko pa din si Bela at malakas na sinarado ang pinto.

"Zephyr please! Just let me be with my son!" Kumakatok na aniya. Hindi ko to pinansin at mabilis na umakyat sa kuwarto ko. Naka-sunod naman si mommy sa'kin.

"Anak, mag-usap kayo ng maayos ni Bela. Hindi solus'yun ang galit!" Sigaw nito sa'kin. Hindi ako umimik at kumuha ng maleta. Agad akong nag-lagay ng mga damit ko dito, "Zephyr!"

"Mom!" I shouted, "Please? Ayaw ko munang marinig ang kahit anong tungkol kay Bela. Hindi lang ako ang sinaktan niya okay? Isipin mo na lang si Zach. She hurt him by leaving. I don't want my son to have any connection to that woman."