2

I sighed as I close the front door of our house, my brows furrowed when I heard the noises of a groaning followed by a cough by the person inside the house, I carefully place my bag in the sofa chair and slowly, carefully walking near to where the voice came from. 

"Papa? Melanie? Kris?" I called but no one was answering, I crooked my head to the side. I walk directly to our room and saw Papa whose now lying on the floor with blood on his shirt. I gasped and instantly ran to his side, with tears in my eyes. 

"Who did this? Papa? Answer me!" I said, crying as I raise the hem of his shirt and saw the bleeding wound, I look at him he was smiling and handed me something my eyes followed his hand and I saw it was a bag I look at him again curiously, the tears flowing as I was beside him trying to find for a solution, I reach for my pocket trying to take my phone out but he stop my hand.

"I need to call an ambulance, I- I need to," I said, panicking but he stop my trembling hands, I bowed my head sobbing from what was happening, I sniff and look at my father again, I can saw him crying and smiling at the same time.

"Go, take your sisters with you," He said, I shook my head repeatedly. I won't leave him here! I gasp trying to clear my thoughts, I heard him cough as the blood came out of his mouth but his smiling face never changed, his brows furrowed as he cough, while his hand was on his wounded stomach. 

"Please! We need to go to the hospital father!" I said, my tears are still flowing I wipe them off and look at him, my other hand was on his shoulder, trying to convince him but he just shakes his head, his hand reaches for my face, his fingers brush off my cheeks his tears slowly falling off from his eyes. 

"I'm sorry Hija, please save your sisters away from here ran away," He said, every word was hard to say, I just stayed there unmoving. "Listen to me, Lily," weakly, coughing and groaning from pain. "I did something terrible, I need to pay the price just go, please," He said, as he held the bad on his other hand and push it towards me, I look at him again tears on his face, he pulled me towards him my sobs become louder, he kisses me on my forehead. 

"I'm sorry Lily, I'm sorry," His last words as he closed his eyes, I screamed in pain and regrets. I held his hand tighter, I heard a car engine outside I wipe off my tears from my eyes, with a heavy heart I stood up grabbing the bag that Papa gave me, and run away. 

I opened the back door and ran outside the house with tears in my eyes, I ran towards the public comfort room just across the corner and close the door, cleaning off my face with water with swollen eyes and a puffy nose, I gasp for air and blink a few times to calm myself. I opened the bag my eyes widen when I saw what was inside the bag, I slowly put my hand inside the bag and blink a few times.

Where did papa get this?

With trembling hands, I zipped back the bag and wear it on my arms. I then fished out the phone out of my pocket. I dialed Kris's phone number, I check the time it's already three in the afternoon I am sure that it's their cut-off now. After a few rings, she answered.

"Lily, we're on our way home-," She said, I immediately cut her off. "Listen, Kris, go to the train station and wait for me there, bring Melanie with you hurry! I'll explain when we meet there," I said, "O-okay," Shock was visible in her voice, I gasp and comb my hair with my fingers, I tied it in a messy bun good thing I was wearing a hoody, I then cover my head with its hood to cover my face, I held the bag tightly holding the phone on my other hand as I walk hurriedly to call a cab outside.

I raise my hand to call the taxi. Luckily the cab stop and I sighed relief, I immediately pulled the door open and get in. "Cali train station please," I said, almost whispering I look at the rearview mirror the taxi driver nodded and smiled, the cab immediately drove to the train station.

It's a fifteen minutes drive away from our house, I need to think clearly and fast. I gasp and reach for my pant's back pocket to get money, I mentally thank myself that I formed a hobby of keeping my money in my pocket in case of emergency and it was used just right now. I look at the money in my hands before giving it to the taxi driver.

"Thank you," I muttered, "Thank you to you too," He said cheerfully, I can't help but smile. I opened the door and get out immediately, I stood straight and carefully closing the door of the back, I held the bag tightly and walk inside the train station. 

I fished out my cellphone and saw Kris's text message saying that they're here inside, I sighed and turned off the phone and walk directly to where she said. I saw them, Melanie was pouting while Kris was talking to her, Melanie's eyes found mine and he waves her hand smiling. 

I immediately walk near them and sigh. "Let's go, I'll explain later," I said, "Melanie let's go," I said and held their hands, pulling them both close to me. We walk to the counter and I smiled a little at the cashier. 

"Three please, San Agustin," I said. "Alright miss, I.D please," She said, I fished out my wallet and showed her my I.D she smiled and tap on her keyboard, later then she handed me my I.D back along with the ticket, I pay her the amount shown in the screen and thank her. 

"Let's go," I said and held their hand again, dragging them to the train that was about to leave in ten minutes. I thought of a way, and this was the best for now. 

"Hurry, get inside," I told Kris as I guided Melanie inside the train, "Here," I said and sat beside Kris, a little far from other people sitting inside this cubicle. 

I placed the bag near me and sigh, I massaged my head as I look at my other hand, I then stare at the window for a few seconds, thinking of a way how to start the conversation. I opened my mouth, starting the conversation. 

"Papa's gone," I started, I saw how Kris's chinky eyes widen, mouth parted open as her tears slowly fall off her face. "No, you're kidding right?" She asked me, silently sobbing. I shake my head and sigh. "What? No!" Melanie's shocked face, her voice slightly raised I went to her and hug her, trying to calm her down.

"I'm here, we will get through this," I whispered. Kris looked at me, still crying. Papa may be a drunkard and irresponsible but he never lay us even a finger, he's just there but he's like was not. I sighed and look at Kris. 

"I'll explain the rest, for now, we have to move," I said, she nodded silently crying while Melanie was hugging me.

God, help us.