19.

As we stepped out of the airport in General Santos, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It had been a decade since I last set foot in this city, and the memories came flooding back. My relatives, who had cut ties with us after Papa's passing, were now waiting for us in Baranggay Conel. The tension was palpable as we made our way to Lola's house, the traffic lights at every corner slowing our progress.

As we arrived, Lola greeted us warmly, her eyes sparkling with recognition. "Clyde, Tristan, akong mga apo!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. We quickly paid our respects, taking her hand in ours.

{Clyde, Tristan, mga apo ko!}

But the warmth was short-lived, as Papa's older sister, greeted us with a chilly demeanor. "Hm," she said curtly, raising an eyebrow. "Han-ay naman siguro mo sa maynila, ayaw namo pakig-agaw sa kwarta ni Papa ninyo."

{Maayos naman siguro kayo sa maynila, huwag na kayong maki-agaw sa pera ng Papa niyo.}

Kuya Tristan's eyes flashed with anger, but I quickly intervened, grabbing his hand. "Correction, yaman po namin. Nakapangalan sa 'min," Kuya said calmly, standing his ground.

Tita's expression turned icy. "Bastos ka ah," she spat.

But before things escalated further, I shook my head at Kuya, signaling him to let it go. Tita's parting shot was a snide comment about our supposedly lavish lifestyle in Manila, but I simply smiled sweetly and corrected her. "Hindi po porket nasa maynila, maayos napo agad ang buhay."

Lola intervened, chastising Tita for her behavior. "Unsa man ka, Christine, mao palang pag-abot sa imohang pagumangkon."

{Ano kaba, Christine, kakadating lang ng mga pamangkin mo.}

As we settled into our room, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The tension with Tita was palpable, but I was determined to keep the peace. I lay down on my bed, exhausted from the journey, and reached for my phone to check Jarred's messages.

"Babe, off to work na po ako."

"Love, nasa school na 'ko."

"Dami naming gagawin, baka late ako maka uwi."

"Tawagan mo 'ko pag naka dating na kayo."

"No, message mo nalang pala ako. You need to rest."

A smile spread across my face as I read through his updates. I tapped the call button, and he picked up immediately. "Hi," I greeted, feeling a pang of homesickness.

"How's your flight? You should have texted me instead, you need to rest," Jarred said, his voice filled with concern.

I chuckled, feeling a little better. "I miss your voice eh."

Jarred's response was a playful warning. "Stop doing that, baka hindi kita matiis at sundan kita diyan." I laughed, feeling a little more at ease despite the chaos around me.

"Can you do that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jarred let out a deep breath, and I could almost hear him smiling. "You want ba?" he asked, his tone playful.

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "If I am selfish, yes, but you have to work," I said, feeling a pang of guilt.

Jarred chuckled, and the sound sent shivers down my spine. "Mabilis lang 'yan panahon, baby," he said, his voice filled with reassurance.

We continued talking until my eyelids grew heavy, and I could feel myself drifting off to sleep. We bid each other goodbye, and I fell into a deep slumber.

When I woke up, the room was bathed in darkness. I stood up, stretching my arms above my head, and made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

As I was about to leave the room, I heard murmured voices coming from outside. My curiosity piqued, I paused, listening intently to the hushed conversation.

I froze, my hand on the doorknob, as I listened to the hushed conversation between my mom and Tito. Their words sent a shiver down my spine.

"Why don't you just tell us sooner, ate?" Tito's voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and accusation.

My mom's response was hesitant, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because I am not sure, yet."

I felt a pang of confusion, my mind racing with questions. What were they talking about? What secret had my mom been keeping?

My mom's next words sent a shockwave through me. "I got confirmed when I talked to your Christopher's boss."

The crack in her voice was unmistakable, and I felt a lump form in my throat. They were talking about my father, and it sounded like there was more to his story than I knew.

Tito's response was stern, his words cutting through the air. "Ate, deserve sa imohang mga anak na makabalo."

{Ate, deserve ng mga anak mo na malaman."}

My mom's voice was firm, but I detected a hint of defensiveness. "Wala kang sasabihin, lalo na kay Clyde."

And then, the bombshell dropped. "Lalo na ngayong sinabi ni Tristan sa 'kin na nagdadalang tao si Clyde."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. How did they know? And what did it have to do with my father? I stood there, frozen in shock, as the conversation continued, revealing secrets and lies that would change everything.

"Ate, unfair kaayo ka sa imohang mga anak," Tito pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.

But Mama's response was firm. "Basta, Christian, wala ka'y i-sulti kay Clyde."

I stood frozen, listening to their hushed conversation. It was clear that they were hiding something from me, and the more they hid it, the more I yearned to uncover the truth.

Mama's voice cut through the air, "Clyde, okay ka lang?"

I turned away, avoiding her gaze. Her words were laced with concern, but I was too angry to care.

"Congratulations pala anak, sinabi sa 'kin ng kuya mo 'yung pagbubuntis mo," she said, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Anak, galit ka pa rin ba sa 'kin?" Mama asked, her voice trembling with concern.

But her words unleashed a torrent of emotions within me. My anger, like a dam bursting, overflowed. "Oo, galit ako!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.

Mama's eyes widened in shock, but I couldn't contain my emotions. "Galit na galit!" I shouted again, tears streaming down my face.

Mama tried to calm me, but I pushed her away. "You know how much it impacted me when Papa died, you know how much I mourned his death," I sobbed.

Mama's face contorted in pain, but I pressed on. "Please, Ma, tell me. Sabihin mo na kung bakit binaril si Papa."

Mama's voice cracked as she spoke. "Anak, mas lalo kang masasaktan pagmalaman mo."

But I was beyond consolation. "Ma, mas lalo akong masasaktan sa ganito na wala akong kaalam-alam," I pleaded.

Mama's eyes filled with tears as she spoke. "Clyde, please, nangako ako kay Jarred na babantayan kita ng maayos."

But I wouldn't be swayed. "Ma, please, sabihin mo na."

Mama's voice broke as she finally revealed the truth. "Anak, binaril si Papa mo nung mga kidnappers ng dalawang batang niligtas niya."

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. My father died saving two children. He died a hero. I felt a wave of grief wash over me, and I burst into tears.

Mama called out to me, but I stood up and walked away. I left home, unsure of where I was going, but needing to escape the pain and the truth.

Her words dropped like a bombshell, and I felt my world shatter. My father died a hero, saving two children from kidnappers.

I ran out of the house, not knowing where to go, but needing to escape. My feet pounded the pavement as I ran, my tears streaming down my face.

As I walked, my legs finally gave out, exhausted and lost. I had no idea where I was. The darkness seemed to swallow me whole, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind. The trees loomed above me, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching out to snatch me.

Fear crept in, its icy fingers wrapping around my heart. I hadn't even brought my phone with me. I hugged my tummy, protecting the life growing inside me. The thought of being alone and vulnerable in this desolate place sent a shiver down my spine.

And then, I saw it - a motorcycle approaching, its headlights casting an eerie glow on the trees. My heart racing, I frantically looked around for a hiding spot, but it was too late. The motorcycle stopped right in front of me.

I covered my eyes, blinded by the light, but when the rider turned it off, I felt tears streaming down my face. The darkness seemed to close in around me, and for a moment, I was paralyzed with fear.

But then, I saw him - Kuya Tristan, his face etched with concern, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, and I collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Kuya," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He stopped in front of me, his face etched with concern. "Ano ba, Clyde? Alam mo ba kung gaano ka delikado 'yang ginawa mo?"

I looked down, tears welling up in my eyes. "Kuya, ibigay nalang natin sa kanila ang pera ni Papa. Gusto ko ng umuwi. Gusto ko ng umuwi kay Jarred."

Kuya Tristan hugged me tightly. "Kakausapin ko si Tita bukas, at pagkatapos ay uuwi na tayo."

"Let's go, Clyde. Let's unwind." He said and I followed him.

We rode his motorcycle to Campo Singko, a spot overlooking the city. We sat on the stairs of a small cottage, watching the city lights twinkle below.

The night air was cool and calm, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. But with Kuya Tristan by my side, I felt a sense of peace wash over me.

I felt utterly exhausted, drained by the emotional rollercoaster of the past day. All I wanted was to go home, to feel Jarred's warm arms around me, and to forget the pain and stress of this trip.

But as I stood there, Kuya Tristan's phone in my hand, I felt a pang of regret. Why did I even come here? If they wanted Papa's money so badly, they could have it. I didn't need this drama, this stress, this heartache.

I took a deep breath and dialed Jarred's number. He answered immediately, his voice laced with concern. "Tristan, is everything okay? Clyde's not answering my call."

I burst into tears, the sound of his voice cracking my fragile emotional facade. I missed him so much, I ached for him. I wanted him to hold me, to comfort me, to make everything okay.

"Jarred," I sobbed, my voice barely audible.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Jarred's voice came back, calm and soothing. "Clyde, baby, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Love..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I struggled to hold back tears.

"Clyde? Why are you crying?" Jarred asked, his concern palpable even through the phone.

I couldn't answer, overwhelmed by the emotions swirling inside me. I just cried, the sound of my sobs echoing through the line.

Jarred's voice was like a balm to my soul, soothing and comforting. "Hey, stop crying. It's not healthy for the baby," he said, his words laced with gentle humor.

But instead of calming me down, his words made me cry even more. It was the thought of our unborn child, the thought of building a life together, that made me feel so lost and alone without him.

"I missed you, Love," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I miss you even more, baby," Jarred replied, his voice filled with longing.

I smiled through my tears as we exchanged sweet nothings, our love strong enough to bridge the distance between us.

"Babe, baka bukas or sa makalawa ay uuwi kami," I said, my heart aching to be back in his arms.

"Really? I thought you'd be there for a week?" Jarred asked, his surprise evident.

"Gusto ko ng umuwi, I hated it here," I admitted, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Okay, tell me so I can pick you up at the airport," Jarred said, his voice filled with excitement.

As we said our goodbyes, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Jarred's voice had calmed me, reminding me that I wasn't alone, that I had him to come home to.

"Alright baby, I missed you and I love you," I said, smiling through my tears.

"I missed you more and I love you more," Jarred replied, his voice filled with adoration.

I hung up the phone, feeling a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in hours. I knew that no matter what lay ahead, I had Jarred to face it with me.

I turned to Kuya Tristan. "Balik na tayo kila Lola, kuya," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kuya Tristan nodded and guided me downstairs. "Wait, Clyde, nai-ihi ako," he said, leaving me alone beside his motorcycle.

As I waited, a shadow loomed over me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. When I looked up, my heart sank. It was him - the guy who had been making me uncomfortable with his weird behavior.

Danie.

"Clyde, the beautiful lady," he said, his voice dripping with malice. He licked and bit his lips, sending a wave of revulsion through me.

I frantically looked around for Kuya Tristan, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Tsk, kung ako asawa mo hindi kita hahayaan na mag-isa dito," he said, his words making my skin crawl.

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. "What the hell? You're dating my best friend," I spat, my anger boiling over.

He sneered at me. "And so? She's boring as fuck."

My anger turned to outrage. "The heck? Ashley's not boring. Malibog ka lang talaga," I shot back, instantly regretting my words.

His face darkened, and he took a step closer to me. I stepped back, my heart racing with fear. "There's no need to be loyal to your husband, that's boring," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin.

I pushed him away, but he grabbed my hands, holding me in place. I tried to struggle free, but he was too strong.

Just as I thought I was trapped, Kuya Tristan appeared out of nowhere, his fist flying towards the guy's face. "Gago ka ah!" he shouted, punching him again and again.

I grabbed Kuya Tristan's shirt, stopping him from delivering another blow. "Ayos ka lang ba?" he asked, his face softening with concern.

I nodded, still shaken. "Alis na tayo dito, Kuya," I said, my voice trembling.

As we arrived home, Tita's worried face greeted me. "Clyde, asa mo gikan?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

{Clyde, sa'n kayo galing?}

I shrugged, still feeling shaken from the earlier encounter. "Campo Singko lang po," I replied, my voice flat.

Tita's expression changed to relief, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of resentment. Why did she care now, when all she seemed to care about was Papa's money?

"Okay raka?" she asked, but I just nodded curtly. "Okay lang po."

Tita's eyes narrowed, sensing the chill in my tone. She muttered under her breath, "Kamaldita nalang gid ani," and turned her back on me.

I sighed, feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. I walked past Mama, who was sitting in the living room, but I ignored her. I didn't have the energy to deal with her right now.

As I entered our room, I grabbed my phone and sent a quick message to Jarred. "I'm home na."

"I'll go to sleep na, I felt tired."

"Don't work too late, have lunch before you sleep. I love you."

I didn't wait for his response. I just went through the motions of my night routine, my mind numb and my heart heavy.

As I lay in bed, I felt the weight of the day's events bearing down on me. I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over me, and drifted off to sleep.

I lay in bed for hours, but sleep eluded me. My mind was a jumble of thoughts, reliving the events of the past few days. Papa's hidden money, his death, my argument with Mom, and Luke's unsettling encounter - everything swirled in my head like a maelstrom.

I thought back to our happy trip to Japan, the laughter we shared with friends, and the warmth of our little bond. It all seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by the crushing weight of secrets and lies.

Kaya minsan natatakot ako kapag subra akong masaya, dahil may kapalit itong sakit.

As I glanced at my phone, the time glared back at me - 1:00 AM. Jarred had texted me earlier, saying he was going to sleep. I tossed off the covers and padded to the kitchen, hoping a glass of milk would calm my racing thoughts.

As I poured the milk, I sensed a presence behind me. Tita stood in the doorway, her eyes watchful. "Dili ka katulog?" she asked, and I shook my head.

{Hindi ka makatulog?}

She nodded sympathetically. "Kung sabagay, kung ako naa sa imohang posisyon dili pud ko katulog." Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.

{Kung sabagay, kung ako din nasa posisyon mo hindi din ako makatulog.}

I turned to her, my heart aching with a mix of emotions. "Hija, kabalo ko na galagot ka sa akoa, pero naa ko'y rason," she said, her voice low and mysterious.

A spark of anger ignited within me. Why did everyone around me seem to be hiding secrets? "And what could be that reason?" I asked, my teeth clenched in an effort to contain my rising anger.

Tita's expression turned enigmatic. "Mas maayo siguro kung wala ka'y nabal-an." Her words cut deep, echoing the same sentiment I'd heard from others.

{Mas mabuting wala kang alam.}

My anger boiled over. "Ano po bang karapatan niyo na sabihin kung ano ang alam niyo at kung ano ang hindi?" I demanded, my voice trembling with emotion.

"Clyde, masakit sa 'kin ang pagkamatay ng kapatid ko," Tita said, her voice cracking with emotion. She took a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to continue. "Nagalit ako sa inyo noon, dahil kung hindi nagpumilit ang Mama mo na sa Maynila kayo titira, edi sana buhay pa siya hanggang ngayon."

I felt a pang of guilt and regret, realizing that Tita's anger and resentment towards me and my family had been fueled by her own grief and sense of responsibility.

"Nung namatay ang Papa mo, lagi ko siyang napapanaginipan, na alagaan ko kayo ng kuya mo, na babantayan ko kayo," Tita continued, her eyes welling up with tears.

I was taken aback by her words, realizing that Tita had been carrying a heavy burden of guilt and regret all these years.

But then I remembered the reason why I was so angry with her in the first place. "Kung ganon po, Tita, bakit po kayo habol ng habol sa pera ni Papa?" I asked, my voice firm but laced with hurt and confusion.

"Hija, I don't need your father's money," Tita said, her voice laced with a mix of guilt and desperation. "The only reason I wanted to keep it from you is that it will hurt you to the bone."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What are you talking about?" I demanded, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Tita's eyes dropped, and she spoke in a barely audible whisper. "That's why I've been acting greedy and toxic in front of you, pushing your buttons so you'd surrender the money. Para hindi mo malaman ang totoo."

My anger erupted like a volcano. "Well, thank you," I spat, my voice trembling with rage. "It even made me want to know the truth."

Tita's face contorted in a mixture of sadness and regret. "Alam mo ba 'yung sinasabi ng iba? Na mas mabuting ibaon nalang sa limot ang katotohanan dahil baka masira ka nito at makakasira sa iba kapag nalaman mo pa 'to."

Her words cut deep, implying that everyone thought I was too fragile to handle the truth. I felt betrayed, like my entire world had been turned upside down.

As Tita turned to leave, I was left standing alone, my mind reeling with questions and emotions. Everyone had kept secrets from me, hiding the truth behind a web of lies and deception. Lahat sila.

I lay in bed, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions. The conversation with Tita played over and over in my head, like a broken record. I felt betrayed and hurt, like everyone around me was hiding secrets and lying to me.

Why did Tita keep the truth from me? Why did Mama hide the real reason behind Papa's death? The questions swirled in my head, making it hard to breathe.

The darkness outside seemed to mirror the darkness within me. I felt lost and alone, like I was wandering through a dense forest with no direction.

As the hours ticked by, I couldn't sleep. My mind was too busy trying to make sense of everything. I felt like I was living in a dream, where nothing was as it seemed.

I wanted to know the truth, to uncover the secrets that had been hidden from me for so long. But at the same time, I was terrified of what I might discover.

What if the truth was too painful to bear? What if it shattered my illusions and destroyed my relationships? What if it changed me forever, leaving me broken and irreparable?

The fear of discovery was suffocating, making it hard for me to breathe. I felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring into an abyss of uncertainty.

One step forward, and I might plummet into the unknown, never to return. But if I didn't take that step, I would be forever trapped in a web of deceit and uncertainty.

Kaya ko ba? Kakayanin ko ba?

Kaya ko naman siguro, dahil alam kung nasa tabi lang ang asawa ko. Kakayanin ko dahil alam kung sa oras na masasaktan ako ng katotohanan, nasa tabi ko si Jarred, yayakap sa 'kin.

---

Yey, naka abot ka dito. Salamat sa pagbabasa. Hehehe.

First time ko 'to. Baka ako ang di kakayanin. Hehehe.