Dark Phoenix #2: Echoes Of Lies

CHAPTER 27

Chapter 27

The exhaustion I felt a moment ago seems to flew out of the huge glass window since I woke up. I look at my parents who are tied and guns are pointed on their heads. I look around to see if my brother was also here but he's not. I don't know where he is at this hour but I wish he won't come home.

"Ano bang kailangan mo sa pamilya ko?!" dad shouted with his murderous eyes piercing to the familiar old man who's smirking evily. Sitting comfortably on the single couch with his legs crossed.

"I am here to get what is mine." the old man glance at me and then look back at my father.

"Nothing in this house is yours, Mr. Rodriguez! Everything you see belongs to us!" mom spit angrily.

Tumawa ang matanda kaya lalong nahalata ang galit at Inis ng mga magulang ko. I remain silent even though I am wanted to open my mouth badly. Bullets of sweats form on my forehead and runs down to my neck.

"You it is not a thing. It's a person, Janica. I am here to claim what you stole from me years ago." lumingon muli ang matanda sa akin. At sa pangalawang beses ay nakilala ko ang matanda. He is the old man from the mall!

Naglakas loob akong magsalita at igalawa ang katawan dahil ako lamang ang hindi nakatali sa aming hostage nila.

"W-what is it?" nauutal na tanong ko at buong tapang na nakipagtitigan dito. I heardmy mom gasped but I ignored it.

"Anong kailangan mo?" ulit ko.

Buong atensyon ni Mr. Rodriguez ay nalipat sa akin. Kita ko ang pagguhit ng isang ngisi sa kulubot na nitong labi. Tumawa ito na parang proud sa paglalakas ng loob ko. Saglit nitong nilingon ang ngayo'y namumutla kong magulang.

"Fierce just like your mom, I see."

I growled.

"Stop messing around and answer me. What is it that you're so eager to get?" I equalled his his playfulness with my sharpness. I have no time for laughing.

Natahimik ito ngunit hindi pa rin nawawala ang mapaglaro nitong ngisi. Maya maya pa ay bigla itong Tumawa ng malakas. His laughs echoed. Is he crazy?

Napapitlag ako nang tumama ang tingin ni Mr. Rodriguez. Gone the playfulness, he's serious and stared at me sharply.

"I see you don't like playing. Okay." tumango-tango ito katulad ng mga bata kapag naintindihan ang tinuro ng teacher nila.

"It's you, hija. I am here to get you." anito habang diretsong nakatingin sa mata ko. He did not blink nor look away.

"Don't listen to him, Cassandra!"

Marahas ang naging paglingon ko sa ina ko na sumigaw. Parang bagyong nagdatingan sa utak ko ang mga tanong. Unti-unti na ring nangatal ang katawan ko dahil sa dagot na naramdaman.

Did... did my parents sold me? Did they make me a collateral damage if ever they can't pay their debt.

Namuo ang kanina ko pang pinipigilang luha. Mabilis at sunod-sunod ang naging pagbagsak ng mga luha ko. Gusto kong sumigaw, magwala at magmura ngunit tila naubos ang mga salita ko sa aking diksyunaryo.

"You are my daughter. I am here because you are my flesh and blood."

Parang nagunaw ang mundo ko. Nablangko ang isip pagkatapos marinig ang mga kasunod na salita ni Mr. Rodriguez. Nawala ang kaninang mga tanong at takot.

"They stole you away from us, darling. Your brother has been waiting for you." the way he talk to me was so soft like he was talking to a fragile thing.