Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 61

Sick

"Tumayo ka dyan at ako ang sigawan mo, tarantado ka!" Rusty shouted at him again.

I covered my mouth because of the consecutive sobs that escaped.

Mabilis na tumayo si Arik at matalim na tiningnan si Rusty. Bakas na bakas ang kakaibang galit sa mga mata niya, na tila ba nagsasabing hindi ito magpapaawat sa panghahamon sa kanya ni Rusty.

"You? A fucking playboy who knows nothing but collect women! Anong makukuha ko sayo?! You'd probably lie just to get Celeste! You're trying every way you know just to get into her skirt, right?!" Arik turned fiercely towards me, his eyes burning red.

"At ikaw gustong-gusto mo naman!"

"Y-you—!"

Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang sasabihin ko dahil bigla akong naubusan ng mga salita sa utak ko. I poured my frustration into my palm and slapped it onto his cheek. It echoed throughout the house.

Sa isang iglap, nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong bahay. Even my heartbeat skipped a beat for a second. Even my heavy breathing, my howl, my cry—it felt like they were all silenced for a moment, and when our eyes met, they went wild again.

I gasped, trying to calm myself, trying to subdue my emotions, but I failed.

"W-what's happening to you? W-why are you speaking to me that way?" I asked him in disbelief.

"B-bakit, Arik? Ano bang ginawa ko sayo? Rusty was the one who brought me here earlier because that's what you told him to do, right? Nakalimutan mo na ba?!"

He didn't answer. It's as if my words suddenly woke him up. It's as if he suddenly remembered something and got confused about what was happening. But his anger is getting the best of him, even me.

"Iniwanan mo ako sa kanya dahil mas inuna mo si Hannah! Even when I told you we needed you here! I called you, did Hannah tell you about it?" I yelled in pain.

It was so painful that I felt like ripping my heart out of my ribcage. It hurt so much!

"I didn't know..."

"W-what? You didn't know what? That I called? Na sinabi kong kailangan kita rito dahil ako at anak lang natin dito, and if Rusty didn't insist on staying here, we would have been left alone! Hindi mo alam lahat dahil mas inuna mo si Hannah, na stepsister mo at naiintindihan ko naman—pero kami ang pamilya mo! Bakit hindi dapat kami ang mauna? Why is Hannah suddenly your top priority now?" I weakened and succumbed to sorrow.

It's so unfair! I felt it deep in my being because I have never experienced being a top priority. I felt like I was being killed again.

"Celeste, Hannah is sick, and she needed me. I'm sorry. Nandito na ako. I came home immediately when Dad told me that he received a call from your Dad and your Mom, and—"

"Shut the hell up! Stop, please. I don't need your explanation. Una pa lang, kami na dapat. It should've been us. I shouldn't have had to remind you of that. You should have known because that's what you always used to do, right?! We should have been your top priority... Why did it suddenly change..." I whispered to myself and covered my mouth as my sobs grew louder.

I bit my lower lip and looked at Rusty. It was evident in his expression that he wanted to comfort me. When I looked at Arik, he seemed the same, making my feelings heavier.

I suddenly remembered the things I noticed the past few days. Was it because of his memory? Is it possible that he might not remember us yet? Na baka magkatotoo na ang amnesia niya ngayon? Pero bakit? Wala akong maintindihan.