Every Step Away

ESA37

ESA37

Hezekiah spent the long hours listening to my stories. Umuwi din siya noong halos madaling-araw na.

It was early in the morning when Kieron knocked on my door to tell me to prepare because Dad wants me to go back to Cavite. Tinanong ko si Kieron kung bakit biglaan ngunit utos lang daw ng Head ng security. We will know after we arrive back.

Kaya naman wala akong nagawa kundi sumunod. Agad akong naligo at nagbihis upang makaalis kami agad. Hindi pa lubos na lumiliwanag, nasa daan na kami pabalik ng Cavite.

I slept in the car because it's still too early. Nagising nalang ako ay malapit na kami sa mansyon ng aking ama.

The guards immediately opened the gate when they recognize our car. Kinusot ko ang aking mata at humikab.

"Ma'am." tawag saakin ni kieron noong tumigil kami sa harap ng bahay.

I nodded and went off the car. Nagpatuloy naman si Kieron pagkababa ko upang maayos na ipark ang kotse.

I went inside only to see a lot of people in the receiving area. Nagising ang mga natutulog kong parte ng katawan dahil halos lahat ng aking mga tiyo at tiya ay naroon.

Bigla akong kinabahan.

"Santh..." Tita Frida called me, her usually bright face is missing that tells me a lot about the situation I still don't know of.

Napansin ko ang tingin saakin ni Daddy. He stood up and excuse himself from the crowd of his siblings.

Lumapit siya saakin.

"Did something happen?" bulong ko sa kanya.

Humiwalay kami sa lahat at dumiretso kami sa family room sa pangalawang palapag. We can still see my uncles and aunties below because the living room's ceiling is extended to the second floor.

"Dad..." tawag ko noong makaupo kami sa couch.

"Your Tito Fin is in the hospital right now."

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Hindi pa niya sinasabi ang lahat pero parang unti-unti ko nang nahihinuha ang lahat.

"How... why..." Hindi ko makuha kung ano ba ang dapat kong maging tanong.

Dad massaged his temple looking tired and stress about the situation.

"Car accident. Thankfully, he only got injuries and nothing more serious."

Tumango ako at nakahinga din ng maluwag dahil sa sinabi saakin ni Daddy. Thank God, really!

"Who did it?" tanong ko.

Umiling siya. "We are doing our best to trace who's behind this. I just want you to stay here because this is the safest place for now. We are guarded here."

Tumango agad ako sa kanyang sinabi. I don't want to cause another headache and according to Dad also, ito ang pinakaligtas na lugar.

"How about your campaign?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Si Tito Fin din! He's a candidate for Mayor! Sinulyapan ko si Daddy at mas lalong natakot para sa kanya.

"The campaign will proceed..."

My lips parted.

"Dad!" sigaw kong pagalit.

Bakit tuloy pa din kung alam naman naming lahat na delikado na? What if something worse than Tito Fin will happen?

Somehow, there are so many private people who're not really a fan of my dad. Iyong may mga kapangyarihan talaga na may kakayahang mag-utos ng mga ganito. My father is a righteous person. And I think they will do anything for my father not to seat again in the government. Hindi sila makagalaw ng maayos rito sa Cavite dahil hindi nababayaran ng pera nila ang aking ama.