The Blind Young Master [Published under PopFiction]

Kabanata 17

"Dad will run as the governor for next year's election?" I asked Mom while reading an article about dad. Hindi ko iyon inaasahan sa pagbabalik ko, because I know dad is contented of being the city Mayor already.

"Yes Afia. That's also the reason why I wanted you to go back home. It's not safe for us, lalo pa't bali-balitang drug Lord ang kalaban ng dad mo." Yumakap sa akin si mommy. "We doubled your bodyguards too."

"Why did dad run as governor? I mean isn't it too much?" Kumunot ang noo ni mommy sa akin. "It's not like I don't trust dad, mom... Don't give me that look. I thought dad will stop being politician already, after being the city Mayor for a long time now..."

"Hindi ba mas maganda kung mas marami pa ang matutulungan ng daddy mo. Malinis ang pagiging politician ng dad mo." Ani mommy.

"I know mom. Alam kong never nangurakot si dad. I just...I'm just more concern with our safety mom... And what if---"

"They will not know. Hindi na yun mauungkat pa because he already found a donor. Makakakita na ulit siya." Mom sincerely smiled at me. "It's your dad's decision." Dagdag pa ni mommy. "We're family here let's just support your dad. Alam kong may mas maganda pa siyang plano sa buong lugar natin."

II haven't seen dad since the day I came back home. I stayed home for a week now. I was planning to have a fresh start too. Gusto ko nang magtrabaho ulit. It's not too late to start again. "Afia, you dropped this." May inabot sa aking letter si mommy.

"That's Gael's letter mom..." I suddenly had goosebumps. It's been a month already, and I think it's really the right time to read his letter.

Afia,

The time you'll probably be reading this is the the same time I already left. I have so many things to tell you. And I have so many things to be sorry about. I don't know kung paano ko sisimulan. I know this will shock you. You're not at fault at anything. Hindi ikaw ang nakabangga kay Dric. I was there. I saw everything with my naked eyes. I'm sorry for keeping this all by myself and I'm sorry for making you think you're the one at fault. But you have no idea how I regretted not telling you too soon. Paulit-ulit akong kinakain ng konsensiya ko. Ilang beses akong nagtangkang sabihin sayo pero natatakot din ako tulad mo. I was the one responsible for everything Afia, yes you read it right. Ako ang nakabangga kay Dric. That's the reason why I became the head engineer of the hotel ViC is planning to build. I'm trying to check on him. And the day I saw you alam kong gumawa ka ng paraan. I'm sorry for making you cry that day, I'm sorry for making you feel bad about it. Natatakot ako na baka malaman mo na ang totoo which in time ay sasabihin ko naman talaga.

Remember the night of the car accident? We broke up before it happened. Sinundan kita Afia, I cheated on you, at agad kong pinagsisihan 'yun. I cannot lose you, I don't wanna lose you. You were driving recklessly that night. I wanted to call you but I know you won't answer my call. May paparating na truck nun, iniwasan mo ito, umiwas din ang driver kaya sa akin nabaling ang direksyon nito. I don't know what to do, hindi ko alam kung anong pag-iwas ang gagawin ko. My heartbeat was so fast that time I tried whatever possible I can just to get away from the truck. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang maiwasan ko ang truck. Tumakas agad ang truck nang lingunin ko ito sandali. Nang lumingon ako sa harapan ko ay may biglang sumulpot na lalaki sa harapan ng kotse ko. I panicked. I can't stop my car, hindi ko na naipreno pa because it was really too late naging matindi ang tama niya sa harap ng kotse ko. I felt the impact. Instinct told me to run away, so I did. Pero hindi kinaya ng konsensiya ko. Binalikan ko ang lalaki. And you were there crying in front of him. Tsaka ka bumalik sa kotse mo, you drove fast kaya sinundan agad kita. I received a call from you, hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ko at pinasagot yun sa random na babae. For you to think, I'm with the one I cheated on you with. You were crying so hard that night, and I'm hurting inside too. I'm really at fault about everything. Ramdam ko ang sakit na nararamdaman mo, habang iniisip na ikaw ang may kasalanan ng lahat. It was mine. I'm the one to blame.