Chapter 7

DALARY'S POV

I woke up very early felt embarrassed of what happened yesterday morning, I didn't mean to wake up late and let sir Nash do the cooking.

After preparing the table I decided to go back to my room and take a bath. I felt uneasy as my sprain get worst I can't do anything about it but cry. Only to realize that I've been doing this for almost 3 days and haven't treat it.

I can't stop my sob while trying to fix my socks and my shoes. I tied my hair up and made sure my face is clean. After that I decided to go down stairs and get apple as my breakfast and lunch.

I was picking the apple when someone talk at my back, I don't need to look at it just to know who he is he's voice did it all.

"Good morning! How was your sleep?" He ask trying to reach me and kiss my forehead.

"It was good." I replied to this question and finally get one apple and put it in my bag.

"I already cooked your breakfast sir, it's on the table just look at it." I said and was about to leave.

"Wait, are you okay? Did you cry? Why?" He said in a very sad tone. And held my face.

"I'm okay," I said and excuse my self to out.

A tear escape from my eyes as my sprain just got worst than before.

I got surprise as sir Nash went on my back and scoop me like a bride and bring me to the couch.

"It's still hurting?" He ask me and I just nod.

"Let me take care of it." he said and start taking my socks off.

I cried again as he started massaging it hurts a lot.

He massage my feet for almost 10 minutes and he even offered me a ride but I have to decline his officer as I don't know what's in his mind. What if he will hurt me inside of his car or even kill me then just throw me away somewhere that police can't find? So it's a big No.

"Thank you sir," I said then bowed down my head.

"You don't have to thank me, it's my fault anyway why you have to endure that. I'm sorry. And can you stop calling me sir? Call me kuya instead," he said then showed his very genuine smile.

"No, it's okay and I have to call you sir as you are the boss her and if your dad will hear it he might hurt me again with nonsense reason and I don't want that to happen I'm tired, Im tired being hurt again and again. I've asking my self if why don't you just kill me right away if you won't stop hurting me but then I figured it out it's because you want to torture me." I said then a tear extremely racing again. He said nothing but hug me tight. 

He just stare at me with a side eyes as I walk to the door heading to my school.

When afternoon noon came I was shock when I saw him again leaning against the wall and waiting for me. He smile at me when he saw me getting out of that classroom.

"Good afternoon! C'mon let's take our lunch together I brought a lot of foods." He said then hold my wrist and lead me to the rooftop. I can't do anything but to follow him.

"I heard that you always go here every lunch so I decided to prepare a table here and starting today we'll eat lunch together." He announced happily I just listened to him as he talk.

Inilabas na niya yung mga pagkain na dala niya at ako naman yung apple ko.

"You haven't eaten that up? Tell me you eat breakfast please," he said.

"I didn't." I saw how his mood changes as he heard my answer. He looks hurt.

"I did told you  to eat right and forget what I said before?" He said and I just nod. He gave me a plate full of food and sat beside me.

"Now I want you to eat all of that okay?" He said then gave me water. I don't have any choice but to eat a bit and reprimand me again because i only eat two spoon.

"I will go to Baguio later for a meeting do you want to go with me? I will wait for you. So are you up?" He ask me while combing my hair, I don't know what's gotten into him he just ask me for a a hair comb and start combing it while talking to me. I know that we only had this kind of talk for only days but he managed to make me feel comfortable. Maybe because he's my brother.

"I can't, my classmate and I are going to make our group project later." I said then take a bit of my apple.

"Okay, what time will you home? Do you want me fetch you?" He ask me as if he's set already.

"You won't get mad?" I ask hoping he won't hurt me again.

"Of course I won't!! " He said then excuse when someone called him. I think it's from his office.

After his call he bid his good bye to me and rushing out to go  dahil may meeting daw siya ngayon na nakalimutan niya.

NASH'S POV

I'm excited to go home and greet Dala a happy birthday, how did I know? Well I ask her classmates. The smile plastered in my face can't just go alone as I thought of Dal, I bought cake and flowers for her and this would be the first time that I will celebrate with her birthday. I also bought gifts and I hope she would like it. I had a hard time picking up the right gift for her.

I immediately park my car in our garage get the flowers and cake. I know she's already home.

My plan is to surprise her and sing a happy birthday song while bringing the cake and let her blow it.

"HAPPY BIR-"  I was stop by the loud cry and saw my dad beating Dal to death. All I could hear was the sound of Dal cries and the hit she received from dad. I wasn't able to walk, I was glued here in the door.

"Huhuhu please stop please I can't do it anymore please huhuhu." I heard Dal crying.

"No you have to learn your lesson it's just very simple yet you can't manage to do it!" Dad shouted and what I can see  is Dal lying in the floor crying. Enduring the pain. Dad is still hitting him when I butt in.

"Dad what are you doing? You're hurting her for God sake! she's been hurting all her life and now yout still doing it? Have mercy please!" I shouted too.

"Nash? Are you freaking out of your mind? Your choosing her now? You should help me beat this bitch instead!" He said raising his voice.

"Dad you don't see my point dont you? Dal is hurting since she witnessed how world revolves, she had been hurting all her life for the reason that was very lame. We keep on our mind that it is her fault why Lolo died when infact it's not, she doesn't done anything wrong she's just a child who knows nothing but play and enjoy that time. And when Lolo was shoot it's not her fault  it was a total accident he was not supposed to be shoot but he save the beggar and take the bullet. It is not her fault if Lolo did that because Lolo just help the beggar, Dal didn't told Lolo what to do, he did it himself so stop blaming her for the incident that she never did!" He just listened to me as I talk.

"Dad! Come on, wake up! We all know that it's not her fault we just put the blame to her para may ma sisi sa pagkamatay ni Lolo at yun ang mali natin dahil pilit nating ipinapasok sa kokote natin na kasalanan niya. Wala siyang kasalanan sa nangyari. 

Alam ko masakit ang nangyari at di niyo padin matanggap pero mali na kay Dalary natin isinisisi. Let's just move on and look forward to another things na makapag sasaya sa atin at hayaan na natin si Dal, haven't you realize? She grow up with pain, lumaki siyang siya ang sinisisi ng lahat ng kapamilya natin sa pagkamatay ni Lolo but you know what? Di nila sana sinisi si Dal kung di tayo ang nag sabi sa kanila na kasalanan yun ni Dala. I really felt pity for my sister, the sister I only have, we are supposed to acknowledge her presence everytime she's here but what we did is vice versa. Lahat tayo walang ginawa kundi saktan siya, may narinig kaba mula sa kanya? No! Wala dahil lahat ng iyon ay tinanggap niya kahit hindi nararapat," patuloy ko pa pero umiiling lang siya sa akin.

"I don't know what did this bitch do to you why you are acting like that but one thing is for sure hindi ako mag padala sa babaeng yan" he said then  walk out. Agad kung pinuntahan si Dala sa kina sasalampakan niya.

"Husshh it's okay now stop crying," I said then hug her. Di ko maiwasan ang di napaluha sa lagay niya ngayon.

"Hey it's okay, don't worry I'm here okay? C'mon up, happy birthday!!! I have gifts for you." I get the flowers and cake and give it to her I thought she will decline it but I thought wrong she get it and hug me very tight saying her thanks and cried more.

"Thank you," she said again then I help her up, I didn't know na sa ganito pang sitwasyon siya nasaktan ni dad sana man lang pinalipas niya ang araw na ito.

Sabay naming kinain yung cake na bigay ko sa kanya she looks very happy yet sad.

I know this is her first birthday na may handa siya at may kasama siya to celebrate and I felt sorry for it dahil pinag kaitan namin siyang maranasan yun noon.

We stayed for almost an hour talking and I felt at ease when I saw her laugh not minding the bruises she got from dad.

"What is your favorite color?" I ask out of the blue moon.

"Hmm... White" she answered.

"Why white? Why not pink or red? Girls like your age usually love that color." I said then look at her.

"Well we have different favorite and different reasons why we choose that." She answer that get my attention.

"And that would be?" I ask patiently waiting for her answer.

"Hmm... because we have different views in life, and for me, why white  my favorite is because I've been caged in the darkness up until now, I grow up without anyone in me supporting to everything I do. My life is a total darkness that's why I wanted white I want to escape from this darkness and feel how to be free. I'm always wishing that someone with a good heart will help me and take me out from this sad reality I know it's impossible but I am really praying to be away from this darkness I wanted some light in my life a hope and a chance." She answer and I was taken aback from it.

"Do you have any wish?" I ask again.

"Wish? Yes I have"

"That is?"

"To be gone, I'm tired, I'm tired doing the things I know but still unappreciated."