Chapter 71

“I'm sorry, the patient died due to the wound in her chest and internal bleeding. Her ribs are broken, and it affected her lungs. Kung nabuhay siya… she won't be able to walk. Her legs are fractured badly.”That’s what the doctor told us.I stood up slowly and noticed Kuya Angelo wiping his tears.I bit my lip. I remembered our youth. She was blooming like a flower, and her brother was already building fences so no man could touch her.I had that flower. But somehow… I failed to protect her.“Gusto kong makita ang anak ko… pupuntahan ko si Sandra,” Mama Alondra told Kuya Angelo.“Makikita rin natin si Sandra. Konting tiis la

Last Updated : 2021-10-05

Chapter 72

I ran to the hallway quickly and quietly. I don't want to attend the philosophy class. It's boring.“Hey, River,” Alice greeted me nang malampasan ko siya sa hallway.I winked at her and she held my arms. But damn, this isn’t the time for flirting.“I'll catch up with you later at the party. Right now, I just need to run away from class,” I said and kissed her cheeks.“Alright, see you later,” she said.I smirked and continued running. Surely, the lecturer will catch me in no time kaya mas dapat ko pang bilisan ang takbo. Madaya naman kasi at foundation day tapos may klase siya sa amin.

Last Updated : 2021-10-06

Chapter 73

She never really took me seriously at first. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sa palagay ko ay dahil iyon sa lahat ng katarantaduhang nagawa ko noon. It felt like all of my sins were recorded, and she became my punishment.“I don’t believe you, River. I’m sorry, but you’re unbelievable.” I couldn’t remember how many times Sandra replied this statement to me every time I told her that I like her very much.Kalimitan ay dinadaan ko na lang talaga sa pagbibiro ng pamimilit o di kaya’y pagsuyo sa kaniya. But deep inside, it’s slowly hurting me. It’s like she never trusted me.Imagine? She even tried to turn me into a gay just so her family wouldn’t know about it!

Last Updated : 2021-10-07

Chapter 74

“You’re marrying Charlotte, and that’s final.” Napatanga ako sa sinabi ni Mom sa kabilang linya ng telepono. What the fuck?“Mom, I thought we’re on the same side? You promised me that we’ll convince Dad that I will never marry Cha!”Damn it. It’s been days since I went to Batanes with Cha. Pumayag akong pumunta rito, and even lied to my love that I have a business trip with Dad dahil nangako si Mom na tutulungan niya akong kausapin si Dad basta sumama muna ako pero…“I don’t like that girl, River! Kung ayaw mo siyang hiwalayan… ako ang maghihiwalay sa inyo.” Before I could even argue, ibinaba niya na ang telepono. This is frustrating!Pero hindi

Last Updated : 2021-10-08

Chapter 75

I woke up the next day, feeling more tired than usual. Rinig ko ang pagiging abala ng lahat sa labas kaya't tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakahiga.Napabaling ang aking tingin sa kabilang bahagi ng kama. My tears fell once again at the sight of it.“Dad,” I heard Jordan knocking on the door.Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha at nilingon ang pinto. Jordan managed to open the door and ran immediately to hug me.“W-What's wrong, Jordan?” I asked him.Umiyak siya at mas humigpit ang yakap sa akin.“H-Have you had breakfast?” tanong ko sa kaniya. Umiling siya at narinig ko ang kaniyang hikbi habang nakayakap sa akin.

Last Updated : 2021-10-09

Epilogue

“I'll stay here for a bit. Iuwi niyo na lang muna si Jordan. Susunduin ko na lang siya bago ako umuwi sa bahay,” sambit ko at inihiga ang natutulog na si Jordan sa backseat ng van kung nasaan si Aubree. “Alright. We'll go home already. Umuwi ka rin agad at magpahinga…” Dad said. Tumango ako at hinawakan ang pinto para isara. I closed the door and watched them go. Tahimik na ang lugar. The tent was still built, but the chairs were gone already. Bumuntonghininga ako at saka nilingon ang sasakyan ng taong alam kong kanina pa nanonood. “You can come near if you want to. Hindi kita bubugbugin ngayon,” I said after sitting in the grass in front of the grave, knowing that someone can hear me.