Every Step Away

ESA25

ESA25

My mother, together with her family, ran away with 3 billion pesos worth of money from the Jimenez Group of Hotels.

I don't know the whole story. But according to the news, the Jimenez Group made a partnership with Tito Ramon, my mom's husband, for the construction of a 20 floors hotel in Tagaytay, Cavite. But then, they ran away as well as the chosen contractor when the budget from the Jimenez Group was released.

Hindi ko maintindihan dahil ang alam ko, Hezekiah had been busy from the past month, going back and forth to check the construction of their planned hotel in Palawan.

Bakit may Tagaytay?

Hindi magkamayaw ang pagtulo ng luha ko habang nakatingin sa screen ng aking laptop. It was all around the news, dating back for a month now.

Wala akong kaalam-alam.

I disconnected myself from social media and to the online world when I focused on my reviews for my board exam. It was very stressful for me because I still have work to balance with it so I had to cut off some unnecessary things that can consume my time.

I don't have communication with my mother. Like always. Nagpapadala lang siya noon dati ng allowance ko katulad ni Dad. It's rare to receive even a text from her. Hanggang ngayon, tuloy pa din si Daddy magpadala ng allowance sakin kahit may trabaho na ako at kahit tinatanggihan ko na iyon.

My mother stopped. I thought it was because I already can work for myself. Is this her reason?

Hindi ko kayang isipin kung paano ito hinaharap ni Heze. Kung paano niya ako nagagawang mahalin sa kabila ng lahat ng paghihirap na binibigay sa kanya ngayon ng taong nagluwal saakin.

Why do I have to suffer from everything that they do in their lives? Tinapon na nila ako sa buhay nila!

Bakit kailangan ko pa ring madamay?

How long would it take them to be matured and responsible enough for themselves?

Why do I feel like I have outgrown my parents? Bakit parang mas matanda pa ako sa kanila?

They don't even care about the people they will ruin just for them to have the comforts of their lives. Mula simula, hanggang ngayon.

Hindi lang sakin ngayon, kundi pati na rin sa ibang tao.

Tumunog ang aking cellphone kasabay ng pag ilaw nito sa tabi ng aking laptop.

I put my hand on my mouth to stop myself from crying when I saw the name of the man I love the most.

My greatest fear is coming true.

Pinunasan ko ang aking luha at nagpractice ng breathing exercise bago ko sinagot ang kanyang tawag.

"Good evening, my baby..." salubong niya.

I whimpered and cover my hands again so that he won't hear my sobs. Oh my God, how can I do this?

"Hi..." my voice broke.

Napayakap ako saaking binti habang mariing nakasarado ang aking kamao. My other hand is holding my phone in my ear.

Sinubsob ko ang aking mukha saaking tuhod habang nananatiling tahimik ang kabilang linya. I know he already heard my voice and I can't deny it anymore.

"Umiiyak ka ba?" malalim niyang tanong.

I bite my lips.

"Hmmm." I hummed, calming myself a little and finding my words.