South Boys #4: Troublemaker

Chapter 38

Another adv and early update since today is jfstories anniversary. Thank you, everyone for being here today and I hope to see you soon! - JF

PS. Announcement of winners to our anniversary giveaway will be later tonight sa group of JFAM and JF Society. To the future winners of books and adv access, can I ask you a little favor? Can you not spoil readers who haven't read the stories yet? Thank you so much! 

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"BAKIT KAMUKHA NI HYDE SI HUGO?!"

Mommy was right. No matter from which angle you would look at Hugo and Hyde, there was no denying that they both resembled each other. That couldn't be considered just a mere coincidence.

Tumikhim si Daddy. "Ethel..." He wanted to say something, anything to lighten the atmosphere. Pero walang maisip na salita si Daddy, because he himself knew that he also wanted to know the answer.

"Jillian, I wouldn't be asking this question kung hindi biglang pumunta si Hugo rito. Kung hindi ganoon na lang ang interes niya na makita at makausap si Hyde sa tuwing pupunta siya. Nakikita ko ang pagpipigil niya na lapitan ang bata, pero sa huli ay hindi niya nakakaya."

Ang mga mata ni Mommy ay may nagbabadya ng luha.

"I didn't want to pay attention at first because I was still in denial. But, Jillian, anak, I am your mother. I know when you are anxious. I can feel it when you are worried about something. And I can't turn a blind eye to what I see and feel in you every time Hugo is here."

Ang mga tao sa paligid, si Kuya Jordan, si Daddy at kahit si Carlyn ay nakaabang sa kung ano mang aking sasabihin. But, I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I was not prepared for this moment even though I knew that no secret could be kept forever.

Tumayo si Mommy at nilapitan ako. "Jillian, please be honest with us. We are your family. You know that we love you. We will not judge you."

Marahan akong tumango at nanginginig ang mga labi na nagsalita, "I'm sorry..."

Ang pagsinghap ni Mommy sa pag-amin ko ay ang dahilan kaya tuluyang bumagsak ang mga luhang kanina pa pala nag-aabang sa mga mata ko.

"M-Mommy, D-Daddy... I'm sorry..." Hinarap ko si Kuya Jordan na seryosong nakatingin sa akin. "I'm sorry, Kuya..."

"Why didn't you tell us before?" lumuluhang tanong ni Mommy habang katulad ko ay nanginginig din siya. "Please, baby. Ipaliwanag mo sa amin dahil naguguluhan kami. Ano ang nangyari sa 'yo noon? We thought it was that man..."

Hindi pa rin kayang banggitin ni Mommy ang pangalan ni Wayne Daniel Chung na ngayon ay wala na dahil sa drug overdose. Napahingal naman si Daddy nang maalala ang nangyari noon sa akin. Si Kuya Jordan ay nahuli ko ang pagtatagis ng mga ngipin.

"Mommy, Daddy, Kuya..." nangangatal ang mahinang boses na simula ko.