A Love To Remember

Chapter 47: In Despair

Chiara

Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko and I was greeted by a familiar ceiling, the one that I used to see everytime I woke up each and everyday.

"You're awake!" someone beamed kaya napatingin naman ako sa gilid, only to see Tita Analaine standing beside my bed while smiling warmly at me.

"What happened, Tita?" I asked at dahan-dahang umupo at sumandal sa headboard ng kama ko, facing her.

"Ako dapat ang magtanong sa'yo niyan eh," she said with her brows furrowed, "Nang binihisan kita kanina, I saw your tummy with bruises everywhere. Chiara, are you doing something to yourself? Saan mo nakuha ang gano'n karaming pasa?" tanong niya sa' kin na ikinangiwi ko, she saw it?

"Honestly Tita, I don't know. Nagsimula iyon sa braso ko, 'tas sa paa ko, then isang araw, nagising na lang ako, meron na rin pala sa tiyan ko." I confessed.

Kung ano man ang nangyayari sa katawan ko ngayon, more like parusa na iyan sa lahat ng mga ginawa ko noon. I may be a bitch but guess what, karma is a whore.

"Have you told Kuya Aga about this?" tanong niya ulit, napakagat labi naman ako at umiling kaya napahawak naman siya sa sentido niya at kalaunang minasahe ito.

"Chiara naman eh! Paano 'pag may nangyari sa'yo? Habang maaga pa, kung ano man iyan, maagapan na sana! You could've tell him so that he'll be able to consult a doctor for you!" she reprimanded me, umiling lang ako at ngumiti ng matipid. How can I tell him? He's too busy for my sake.

"Alysse was rushed to the hospital and everyone is blaming me, I didn't do anything to her Tita, believe me. Ngayon, paano ko sasabihin 'to kay Daddy when he's busy looking after her?" wika ko.

"But you're his daughter, Chia! He can always make time if he want to!" sabi niya, I shrugged my head in response.

"But sadly, he won't." malungkot kong ani, he's probably mad right now and I won't like to see him in that situation, masasaktan lang ako.

Kahit ilang beses ko ng sabihin na nasanay na akong makitang galit si Daddy, natatakot pa rin ako sa kanya. He's scary at ibang-iba sa Aga Muhlach na kilala ng karamihan.

"Stay here, pupunta ako ng ospital and I'll tell them everything before it's too late." she said na ikinanlaki ng mga mata ko, she's going to tell them? Pero paano.. baka hindi siya nila paniwalaan.

"What if, they won't believe you?" malumanay kong tanong, nginitian ako ni Tita Analaine as she move a little closer to my direction and kissed my forehead, somehow, that made me feel better.

"Trust me Chia, I have enough evidence stored, they're going to believe me." she told me, tumango lang ako at ngumiti rin. I do hope so.

"Okay Tita." iyan na lang ang naisagot ko, she pat my shoulders once more before making her way palabas ng kwarto ko pero nang marating niya ang pinto, she stopped at lumingon muna sa gawi ko.

"Whatever happens, don't do something stupid, you understand?" bilin niya sakin, I didn't say a word at tumango lang kahit na hindi ako sigurado kung ano ang gagawin ko mamaya 'pag-alis niya.

As much as I want to experience how to live happily, ayaw ko na, kakapagod na eh, pagod na pagod na ako.

___

I was starring blankly at the picture that I hid under my pillows since then, the picture who used to comfort me when I'm scared during thunderstorms and I have no one to count on, the picture who always makes me smile whenever I'm down.

Sa litratong ito, it's me and Dad, smiling widely. I was wearing a Cinderella costume so precisely, this was taken during my seventh birthday. Si Mommy pa ang kumuha ng litratong 'to, how I wish na bata na lang sana ulit ako.