Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

Caged

"Anong ginagawa n'yo dito?"

"Apo..." pagtawag ni Lala. Her happy eyes are antsy and filled with worry while I'm sweating nonstop.

"La, bakit n'yo po pinapasok ang mga 'yan! Did they do something to you? Sila ba ang may gawa n'yan?!" takot at galit kong sabi. They can do anything to me, ruin me, hurt me but don't ever include the people who are important to me.

Sila nalang ang natitirang lakas ko tapos kukuhanin din nila?

"Priyanka..." pagtawag ng isang babae.

"Sino ka? Bakit ka nandito?" I tried to remain calm even if my insides are erupting.

She's similar Lorenzo, the girl version. With her complete cark coat covering up her black coordinates. The same eyes, same features, everything about her yells Lorenzo. Classy, that's how she's defined. May katabi rin s'yang isa pang lalaki na mukhang asawa n'ya. He's also wearing a business attire. They all look good, if it wasn't for the situation.

"I'm Lorenzo's mother. I'm here to–"

"Wala akong pakialam kung sino ka! Lumabas kayong lahat! Matapos n'yong ubusin ang pamilya ko? Sinong isusunod n'yo ang Lala ko?!" My eyes were blazing and I am furious. I'm not able to hold it back, seeing their entire clan, my shallow being wouldn't be able to resist.

The man beside Lorenzo's mother caressed her back when he saw her took a step back with my gust of emotions.

"Priya... Apo..." si Joaquin. Hindi ko na s'ya kayang igalang. Call me disrespectful but at least I don't lock children in my storage room.

"Look who's here," I said in pure incredulity. "Isa ka pa. Hanga na ako sa inyo. Wala wala ba talagang kahihiyan sa mga katawan n'yo?" madiin na sabi ko. "Umalis na kayo. Lahat kayo."

"Apo, halika..." si Lala. She looks vulnerable as if she's about to outwear anytime soon. Lumapit ko sa kan'ya, shieding her with all my might.

"Umalis na kayo!" malakas na sigaw ko not wanting to let them closer to my Lala. They all looked down with my consecutive bawls.

"Apo, hindi mo naiintindihan..." Napakurap kurap ako kay Lala.

"La? Anong hindi ko naiintindihan? Masasamang tao sila, La..." Nanikip ang dibdib ko.

She then held my hand, looked at me with her famous delicate eyes and said the most humorous thing I've heard.

"Apo, ako si Normina Agustin, ang asawa ni Joaquin Agustin."

Her confession echoed in my ears. I stepped back. One time then two. Hanggang sa mabangga ko ang lamesa sa likod ko. My heart had been shot, multiple times. I have mastered the art of torture like it's my favorite dessert but since when have I become so good at doing what I hate? I hated hurting.

But I, myself is misery. Pain is my middle name and agony is my surname.

"La... h-hindi magandang j-joke..." naluluha kong sinabi.

"Apo, patawarin mo si Lala..."

"All this t-time..." Tumulo ang luha ko. "Ang tanga ko! Ang tanga tanga ko!"

Pilit lumapit sa'kin si Lorenzo. He always sees me as a fragile glass, capable of being emotionally wounded, defenseless. He is wrong. I am not the same person I used to be, seven years ago. I am still Priyanka. Only better and stronger.

"Yñigo, let's go." Hinila ko s'ya palayo kay Lala.

"Ate, bakit? Si Lala–"

"Priya, I'm sorry. We're sorry. I just–" si Lorenzo.