I was staring blankly at the wall as I waited for the doctor who's operating Dasher. I can feel my eyelids closing already but I'm forcing myself to fight it. Tila babagsak na ang aking katawan ngunit pilit kong nilalabanan iyon. I don't wanna sleep.

Even without looking at the mirror, I know my eyes are swollen. I badly want to cry but seems like there's no tears left. The clenching of my chest didn't stopped the moment it started.

"Camilla," I heard Archer called my name but I didn't even gave him a glance. I'm too tired to do it. "I'm sorry for your loss," marahang lumabas ang mga salitang iyon sa kanyang bibig.

Astrid who's seating beside me remained mummed.

I shut my eyes closed when I remember how the doctor declared Dad as dead on arrival. They tried to revived him but nothing happened. The bullets killed him.

Paano siyang mabubuhay? Mirae didn't stop shooting him until she's satisfied! Damn that bitch.

Dad's already in the morgue. Ngunit hindi ko pa nakikita ang katawan niya. I have no strength left to see it right now. Hindi ko kaya. Hindi ko kayang tignan si Dad sa ganoong posisyon.

At that very moment, I didn't know I'm oblivious that my tears are streaming down my cheeks again. Walang buhay na kumurap ang aking mga mata at mapait na napangiti.

While Dasher, I don't know how long I'm waiting already but his doctor's still not coming out. I want him safe.

Please, be safe.

"Tita," I heard Astrid called as she rose from her seat, sinalubong ang kung sino mang bagong dating.

Akmang pupunasan ko ang mga luhang naglalandas sa aking pisngi nang maramdaman ang marahas na paglapat ng isang palad sa aking mukha. Pumitik ang sakit sa aking pisngi kasabay ng pagpaling noon at namimilog ang mga matang napatingin ako sa ginang.

I felt like I woke up because of that slap from Dasher's mother. Her eyes were sharp and red that's directly looking at me. Bakas ang iilang ugat sa kanyang leeg dahil sa galit. I rose from my seat to face Dasher's parents.

"Tita!" Agad na pumagitna sa amin si Archer.

While Tito Jax held Tita Mella's shoulders, stopping her from doing something again.

Her eyes glared at me as she pointed a finger towards my direction. Hindi alintana na nakapagitna si Archer sa amin. "Swear, if something bad happen to my son, I will kill your father."

I bit my lower lip as I gave her a faint smile. "He's... dead already. No need for that," marahang sambit ko. It was almost inaudible but I'm sure they heard it.

She gasped as I saw her took a step back like she didn't expect it. For those who were wishing for my father's dead, here it is. I hope they're glad.

Nasa ganoon kaming posisyon nang lumagpas ang aking mga mata sa magulang ni Dasher. Nagtungo iyon sa pamilyar na babaeng paparating. With her worried eyes, she managed to walk towards our direction with her elegant strides.

"Tita, how's Dasher?" Aislinn asked when she finally reached us. Bahagyang nakakunot ang noo niya ngunit bakas pa rin ang ganda sa kanyang mukha.

"He's still inside the operating room, hija."

Si Tito Jax ang sumagot dahil mukhang hindi pa rin nakakabawi si Tita Mella. Tita timidly sat on the hospital chair. I caught her glancing at the door of the operating room but she's not saying anything.

Ganoon din si Aislinn matapos siyang sagutin ni Tito Jax. Though she didn't sit down.

"Attorney Fonacier," bati ni Aislinn, siguro ay nang matantong naroon si Archer. Maybe they know each other aside from because she's Dasher's ex-girlfriend but because they share the same field of work.

Agad naman tumango si Archer at bahagya siyang nginitian. Aislinn turned to Astrid too and smile at her. Hindi ko na nakita kung sinuklian ba ni Astrid ang mga ngiti niya ngunit siguro naman ay oo.

"Camilla." And when I heard her calling my name, our eyes met and I nodded.

Akmang babalik ako sa kinauupuan nang bumukas ang pinto ng operating room.

"Family of the patient--" natigilan ang doctor nang makita si Tito Jax. "Doc," the doctor called while looking at Dasher's father. This is their hospital. Surely, the doctor know the owner.

Tita immediately rose and walked towards the doctor. Tito Jax stood behind her, his hands reached for her shoulders. "How's my son?"

"We successfully removed all the bullets that penetrated the patient's body. But your son's still under observation," the doctor declared and I felt like a heavy thing inside me was lifted.

Ngunit hindi sapat iyon upang mawala ang lahat ng bigat sa aking dibdib.

"Thank God!"

I let out a deep breath as Dasher's father continue talking to the doctor about his condition.

Patuloy akong nakinig sa pag-uusap ng dalawa ngunit hindi na ako nagtanggang lumapit pa sa kanila.

I suddenly felt someone beside me. Kaya't napalingon ako sa aking tabi at noon ko nakitang si Archer iyon. "I'll just look and see what happened to..." he cleared his throat. "Mirae," paalam niya na agad ko namang tinanguan.

He didn't leave my side the moment Daddy died and I broke down. Sinamahan niya akong maghintay habang nasa loob ng operating room si Dasher.

Even though I know he wants to check what happened to Mirae, even for a while he didn't leave my side. And I know that's because of Dasher.

Sandaling nagtungo rito si Creed ngunit bumalik din sa kabilang operating room kung nasaan si Mirae. He didn't talk to me. He treated me like I was an air. Si Astrid naman ay ngayon lang nagpunta rito. She didn't speak to me too.

Tanging si Archer lang ang kumausap sa akin na myembro ng Cosmos na narito matapos ang nangyari. And I understand them. I shoot Mirae, their friend, the Universe, so I expected this.

And if not for Dasher, I know Archer won't talk to me too. But I'm still thankful he's here.

Muli akong bumalik sa pagkakaupo matapos mawala ni Archer sa aking paningin. Astrid remained beside Tita Mella. Habang si Aislinn naman ay tahimik na umupo sa aking tabi.

After a few minutes, Creed came. Tila nagpalit lang sila ni Archer at siya naman ang narito ngayon. He immediately stride towards Dasher's parents where Astrid is in. Nilagpasan niya kami ni Aislinn na tila hindi man lang nakita.

I heaved a deep sigh and glanced at the door of the operating room. Mataman akong napatayo matapos ang ilang sandali. My head turned to Aislinn who's looking at me.

"I'll take a walk somewhere... just tell them if someone ask," paalam ko. Though I know no one would look for my presence here.

Attorney Zaldivar smile at me. "I will."

Marahan akong tumango at naglakad palayo sa kanila. I was thinking of going to morgue but my heart just can't. Mapait akong napangiti at malalim na napabuntong hininga.

I miss my Dad already. How can I continue moving without him? He even told me he wants to talk to Dasher tomorrow. Basically, the tomorrow he's referring is right now already.

Paano silang maghaharap kung si Dasher, naroon pa at walang malay. Habang si Daddy naman, wala na.

I walk without knowing where to go. Ilang nurse at doctor ang nakasalubong ko na wala naman akong naging imik. I lowered my head as I walked near the entrance of the hospital.

At nang nag-angat ako ng tingin ay nakasalubong ko ang matalim na mga mata ni Ate. Mugto iyon na tila galing din sa walang humpay na pag-iyak. Beside her is Mommy but there's a huge distance between of the two of them like they didn't know each other at all. Ganoon din ang mga mata ni Mommy.

Dahil doon ay natanto kong, alam na nila ang nangyari kay dad. I don't know how did they know. I mean the moment the doctor announced Dad's death, I wasn't in my right mind already, I felt like everything suddenly shut down. Hindi ko na nagawang tawagan pa sila upang ipaalam ang nangyari kay Dad.

Bumilis ang hakbang niya patungo sa aking direksyon at agad na naiwan si Mommy. Ngunit agad siyang humabol, lalo na noong nakitang patungo sa akin si Ate.

"Ate--" My words were cutted when her palm landed on my cheek.

My lips parted as I eyed her, questioning what did I do for her to slap me.

"Callista!" My mom's voice roared in the middle of the place. Nahuli ko ang paghinto ng ilang tauhan ng ospital at paglingon nila sa aming direksyon.

My sister didn't bother looking at mom like she didn't mind.

"You bitch! This is your fault!" she shouted, not minding the people gawking around us.

"Callista, where the hell are your manners? We're in a public place for pete's sake!" Mariin ngunit mababa ang boses na saway ni Mommy matapos lumapit sa amin. Nahimigan ko ang pagod sa tono niya ngunit para bang pilit niyang pinatatatag ang sarili. "We're here to see your father, not make a scene!"

But Ate didn't listen or even glanced at Mommy, like she heard nothing.

"You traitor! Ano? Masaya ka na?" Nanlilisik ang mga mata niya.

I tilted my head while slightly frowning at her. Masaya? Why would she even think that I'm feeling that way?

"Wala na si Dad! Because of you, I lose the only person I'm treating as a family!" she shouted and it made me gasped.

What is she talking about? Why would she say those words in front of our mother?

Agad akong napalingon sa direksyon ni Mommy upang makita ang naging reaksyon niya. But I can't determine her reaction. I can't say if she's hurt because of what Ate said or Mommy...

Why do I felt like she's not even bothered by my sister's words?

Muli kong ibinalik ang mga mata sa aking kapatid at marahang napailing. "Hindi ko ginusto--"

"You didn't? Really? You really think I'll believe you?" sarkastikong pasaring niya. "Why do I have a hunch that you told them Dad's plan? That's why the bosses of Cosmos were all in that mansion."

Her words made me mummed because I know I'm really at fault. If I didn't tell Dasher his plans, maybe Dad's still alive. Hindi mapaghahandaan ng Cosmos at pati na rin ni Mirae ang pagsugod ng Rozelli. She won't know anything and continue her day like a normal one. At kapag pinasok ni Daddy ang mansyon nila ay silang dalawa lang ni Vynz ang naroon at walang kaalam alam.

Bakit ako nag-alalang mawala si Mirae, samantalang siya ay hindi man lang nagdalawang isip na hilahin ang gatilyo ng baril na nakatutok kay Daddy. That heartless woman.

Questions started rummaging my head. Ngunit ngayon, kahit isa ay hindi na masasagot ang mga iyon. Dad's dead already. And that's because I told Dasher his plan. Kung hindi ko sinabi, si Mirae sana ang posibleng patay na ngayon.

"Hindi ko ginusto 'yon," I murmured in a low, almost breathless voice. I bit my lower lip and looked at my mother. "M-Mommy, I'm sorry." I let the tears freely rolled down my cheeks.

Hindi ko binigyang pansin ang mga luhang naglalandas sa aking pisngi. "I'm sorry."

"Its not your fault, Maureanne--"

I slowly shook my head, stopping her from continuing her words. "I-I told Dasher that D-Dad's planning to kill the Universe--"

Hindi ko na natapos ang aking mga salita dahil naputol iyon nang muling lumapat ang palad ni Ate sa aking pisngi.

"Callista, what the hell!" Mommy shouted. Hindi na rin alintana na nasa publiko kaming lugar.

Hindi ko na rin naman iyon naisip. Tila wala na akong pakialam sa paligid dahil sa mga nangyayari. Dad's dead. Dasher's still in danger. While Ate's mad at me.

That's when Ate finally faced Mommy. "See? Kakampihan mo pa talaga 'yang anak mo? Or maybe, whatever she did you'll always take her side. Parehas lang kayo ni Daddy." Bahagyang natigilan si Ate at tila may natanto. "At bakit pa nga ba ako nagtataka? Siya lang naman ang anak niyo--"

My eyes widened at what she said. "A-Ate," my lips quivered while trying to stop her from whatever she's saying. What the hell is she talking about? Ako lang ang anak? Is she crazy?

Ngunit marahas siyang bumaling sa akin.

"Don't call me that! You're not my sister!" She gritted her teeth while firmly shaking her head.

"Callista--" Mommy called her. Para bang pinapatigil si Ate.

She laughed without humor. "What?" sarkastikong baling niya kay Mommy. We're all facing each other reason why I can clearly see her reaction. "You don't want her to know? Ayaw mong malaman ng totoong anak niyo na ampon ako?"

A loud gasp escaped from my mouth. I tilted my head, still can't understand the words she's saying. But when I glanced at Mommy and saw her nonchalantly looking at Ate, that's when I felt like my mind's aching.

"When you married Daddy, you asked him to stop his wrong doings and liquidate that organization because you know the protocol. That Dad's first born would be the next successor of that organization." Dire-diretsong sambit niya habang matalim ang mga matang nakatutok kay Mom.

Her index finger pointed directly at Mommy. "Alam niyo kung gaano kadelikado iyon. And you don't want your child to be in danger. Pero hindi mabitawan ni Daddy ang organisasyong iyon!" She shouted and chuckled after a while as I saw lone tear escaped from the side of her eye.

I was harshly nibbling my lower lip while hearing everything. I felt like my knees are wobbling all because of these.

"R-reason why Dad decided to adopt me even before you two have your own child." Marahas niyang pinalis ang luhang pumatak sa kanyang pisngi.

"Para ano? Para ako ang sasalo lahat ng panganib na para sa anak niyo? Then when you gave birth to Camilla, you decided to stay in States. Akala mo ba hindi ko alam na ikaw ang may gusto noon? Its not Dad, its you! Para akalain ng kalaban ni Daddy na ako lang ang anak niya at wala ng iba. So your real daughter would be safe from all these. That's why I can't treat you as a family." She shook her head on Mom. "At least Dad's always beside me? Habang ikaw, pinili mong lumayo! You're selfish!"

"A-Ate, don't shout at Momm--"

She continued like I am an air. "I treated Dad as my father, even most of the time his attention is on Camilla."

She quickly turned to me. "Kahit ang layo layo mo na sa'min, nasa iyo pa rin ang atensyon niya." Muling naglandas ang mga luha sa kanyang pisngi. At sa pagkakataong ito, tila wala ng makakapagil sa mga luhang iyon.

My hands flew on my mouth as I stopped myself from sobbing. This is the first time I saw her shed a tear. This is the first time I saw her broke down. Or maybe this isn't the first time. Ngayon ko lang nasaksihan dahil ngayon lang ako naririto.

"I love him and he's the only family I have! Nawala pa dahil sa'yo!" She harshly pushed my shoulder using her index finger, reason why I took several steps backwards.

Kasabay noon ang pagbagsak ng aking mga talukap at pagdilim ng buong kapaligiran.

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