Del Rico Triplets #2: Retracing The Steps

Kabanata 23

Confrontation

Mabigat na mabigat ang aking pakiramdam. Parang may mabigat na nakadagan sa aking dibdib pababa sa aking tiyan. Dahilan kung bakit hindi ako makagalaw. Maliban sa aking matang nagawa kong idilat paunti-unti.

Sumalubong sa akin ang maliwanag na ilaw. Sapat para ibalik ang mata ko sa pagkasara dahil sa hapding dulot noon. Pamilyar na sa akin ang ganitong eksena dahil hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang beses na ba akong nagising sa ganitong sitwasyon.

I tried to recall what happened and why I am here again? Inside a hospital feeling so empty? I heard a faint sobs, not that far from my bed.

"Alesha, calm down," said by manly voice. It is to soothe someone.

Alesha... Del Rico's again?

"She almost lost herself and her child, Theon," ani basag na boses. Alesha.

Naging malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Bumalik sa alaala ko ang ginawa. I gasped when I realized that my plan failed. It failed! I am still here. I was saved again! Stuck in this goddamn world I no longer want to live in!

How unfortunate could I be? Miski kamatayan hindi ako gustong kuhanin. Kumilos ang kanang kamay ko at bumagsak iyon sa aking tiyan. Nandito pa rin ang bunga ng panloloko sa akin ni Troi. Ayaw maalis. Ayaw mamatay.

I gritted my teeth. Anak nga talaga ito ng ama niya. Mukhang miski ang tadhana ay pinapaboran si Troi. The fate wants me to bear his child and have another cruel person beside m,e.

"She's awake..." I heard an estranged voice. Sa gilid ko.

Hindi ako paralisado kaya nilingon ko kung sino iyon. The face of a man whom I loathed the most came to my sight. Ang kaibahan lang, ang aura nito ay malamig at tila walang pakealam. Ang lakas ng otoridad sa tingin pa lang.

Tross Del Rico. On his corporate attire. Nakasandal ito sa pader at mukhang kanina pa ako pinagmamasdan. Tumayo lamang ito ng tuwid nang makalapit sa kaniya ang dalawa pang taong kasama namin rito. His parents.

Troi's parents.

Alesha's face was covered of tears. Her eyes are swollen. Beside her is her husband who's massaging her back and whispering something to calm her down.

"Hija..." Alesha's voice cracked.

I didn't know what to say or how should I react. I should be ashamed now since I am facing those people who sheltered me and protected my peace against their own son. Dapat mahiya ako sa ginawa ko pero hindi iyon ang nararamdaman ko.

I am quite disappointed that they did something again, against my will. Lumapit sa akin si Alesha at inukopa ang upuan sa gilid ng hospital bed.

Kinuha niya ang kamay kong nakapatong sa aking tiyan. Her other hand caressed my face. Napapikit ako sa mainit na dampi noon.

Alesha made me experience being taken care of by a mother. Kaya tulad ng sinabi ko, hindi ko magawang magalit sa kaniya. Disappointed, oo. She didn't do anything to stop her son and now, she saved me from death. In which, I really wanted to have.

Kamatayan na lang ang hinihiling ko tapos hindi pa nila maibigay.

"H-hindi mo dapat ginawa iyon, hija..." malumanay niyang sambit.

Malamlam ang kaniyang mata at namumula-mula pa. I can see how she's trying so hard to stop herself from crying in front of me.

"It's good that your baby and you are safe now."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. That should be a good news only if I didn't want this child out of my body. How hilarious my situation could be? Siguro kung hindi ko nalaman ang totoo, baka sobrang excited ko na magkakaroon na ako ng anak. I am not fond of kids but I know to myself that I'd do my best to be a good mother.