Descendants of Olympus

XVII: Unwanted Voices

Pierce's POV

"Laurel's office?" Tanong ni Isabelle habang sinasalinan ang mga baso ng cranberry juice.

"Oo. Diba siya yung headmaster ng hotel? So may connection siya sa Olympus, sa mga gods. At paano ba nakakapunta sa Olympus ang mga demigods?" Tanong ni Phoenix.

Portals...

"I will try to have an appointment with Laurel, the second we arrive at HD." Saad ko sa kanila. 

This is part of the responsibility of being a leader. Asking for appointments, giving announcements and anything that is involve in a mission. Even keeping everyone alive always, at all costs. Everyone is depending on me, and the pressure on not making mistakes grows every second.

Kasalukuyan ang panonood namin ng Oggie and Cockroaches nang makarinig ako ng malumanay na boses. Tinig ito ng mga dalaga na kumakanta.

"Do you hear that?" Tanong ko sa mga kasama ko. Umiling naman sila. 

I think I am just hearing things then. Tumingin ulit ako sa TV.

"You're the leader of the group, you should lead not obey."

"Are you really in love with her? Or just scared of seeing someone die again?"

"Does your mother really love you?"

"Or she just has no choice because your dad left you."

Shut up. Tumigil kayo. All of you just want to see me crumble again.

Warmth started to leave my heart. Mas lalo na nang marinig ko ang huling linya ng kanta nila.

My mom loves me, mahal niya ako. She gave birth to me, fed me, clothed me, everything a mom does to her child. 

Then my little sister came, and my mom's attention was always on her. Pero naiintindihan ko naman 'yon, kasi ako yung panganay at mas kailangan ni Ivy ng alaga ni mama. Ako rin ang inaasahan ni mama na mag-alaga sa kapatid ko kapag wala siya.

I remembered when I was in primary school, it was my first graduation, yet my mom didn't attend because Ivy was in the hospital. As a child, the presence of your parents matters the most. Masakit kasi lahat ng mga kaklase ko, may kasamang mga magulang para magsabit ng medals nila. Ako, kahit isa manlang sa kanila, wala.

All my life, I'm always the one who is understanding, not the one being understood.

I understood that my mom can't attend because my sister is sick, she needs her the most, more than I do. My guilt and conscience will also kill me the moment I hear Ivy cry. It's much better to see myself alone, than seeing my little sister lonely. 

I know deep inside that my mom loves me. Because of her, I learned to be independent even at a young age.

Nabasag ang malalim na pag-iisip ko nang marinig ko ang galit na sigaw ni Idris. 

"I hate you! For pulling me into this mess!" Marahas na itinulak ni Idris si Leila, na napaupo sa sahig.

"Wow, salamat, ha? Kung isinama ka namin para malaman ang totoong pagkatao mo! Sa tingin mo ba, gusto ko rin na nandito ka?!" Sigaw pabalik ni Leila kay Idirs habang dinuduro siya. 

Narinig ko naman ang pagbasag ng isang bagay sa kusina kaya naman ay naglakad ako patungo doon. Nadatnan ko na umiiyak si Sydney habang itinutulak ang mga baso at plato, dahilan para mahulog at mabasag ito sa sahig. Lalapit na sana ako nang marinig ko sina Nathan at Phoenix na nagsusumbatan.

"Ikaw, masyado kang nagmamagaling! Napakataas ng tingin mo sa sarili mo, kaya siguro ganiyan trato mo sa akin! Mahina! Mayabang ka!" Pagbulyaw ni Nathan kay Phoenix.