Chapter 43 TRUTH REVEALED

Pumasok ito sa loob ng mansion. Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa second floor malapit sa hagdan. I observed that the rest of them followed us.

“K-klio, please I’m begging you. Don’t do this to me. It’s a lie right? P-please tell me it’s a lie!?” My voice cracked when I said those words to him while I was crying with a heavy heart. He stopped and turned to me.

“Leave me. I think never loved you at all.” It felt like a heavy object fell in my body and a knife thrust directly onto my heart.

“We’ve been together for five f*cking years and here you are telling me you’ve never loved me?” My body shivers while I was bursting into tears.

“There are moments I felt that I love you and it scares me.” Every words he said ripped my whole being.

“Sana pinatay mo na lang ako noong una pa lang. Sana hindi mo na ako pinaasa na mahal at minahal mo ako, because this is worst more than death!” I said in anguish, “You’re the only person I trusted Klio. You’re the man I am always proud of. Mahal na mahal kita alam mo ‘yon. B-bakit?” I am not dead but I feel like dying over and over again.

“Because all of you ruined my life. Especially your family Leyra. You don’t know how much pain your mother had caused me, especially her!” He exclaimed. I am massively shocked when I heard him saying the word ‘her’.

“H-her? Who?” I was really confused now, hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyayari. A woman just appear, clapping her hands while her evil laughs echoed in this mansion. She was pretty and she looks like Mom, but she’s not in her state of mind I guess.

“ANASTASIA!?” They shockingly said in unison. Anastasia is a f*cking person.

“Long time no see in laws,” she said smiling and after that he kissed Klio on the lips. It leaves me in shocked. “And, nice to meet you, my niece.” She laughed again. Mas lalo akong nagulat sa sinabi niya.

“Niece?” I asked. Don’t tell me she was, Daia?

“Yes. Oh that’s the price when a so called perfect mother didn’t teach her child to recognize her family. Shocking isn’t it?” saad nito at tumawa. I diverted my attention to Klio.

“Who is she?” I asked him.

“She’s the woman I promised love.” No words can describe what I’ve felt right now. “She’s the woman I vision walking on the aisle. She’s the woman I see my future with.” Napailing ako. Sobrang sakit na malaman na ang taong inalayan ka ng sing-sing ay hindi pala ikaw ang nakikita niyang naglalakad sa altar at gustong makasama habang buhay.

“Fuck you!” The only words that came out from my mouth is a curse.

“She’s the reason why I did this!”

“Why? Why did you do this to me? Tell me everything right now Klio!” I shouted.

“You should blame your mother, because of her you suffered all of this,” Anastasia interrupted.

“Ano bang kasalanan nang Mommy ko sa inyo!?”

“She leave me in our parents to suffer. Did you know how our parents compared me to her? She was always the best in their eyes and I never was. Kahit anong gawin ko hindi ko pa rin mapantayan ang tingin nila sa kanya. She let me suffer.” Now I can see tears from her eyes.

“That’s not true, Daia!” nagulat ako nang marinig ang boses ni Mommy.

“Oh, you’re here! What a nice reunion for all of us!” Anastasia exclaimed.

“I never left you there to suffer. I am also a victim of our cruel family, you know that. I’m sorry that it took me too long but I came back for you but you are not there anymore, they said that you were married and and I thought that you’re happy with your life,” pagpapaliwanag ni Mommy.

“I am happy with my new life not until you killed my baby!” she shouted in anguish.

“What are you talking? I didn’t kill your baby!?” nagtatakang tanong ni Mommy.

“You killed my baby, Raya. I was mobbed and raped because I was mistakenly recognized as you. I lost my baby because of you. I suffered because of you!” Naghysterical na ito.

“What?” I asked in confusion sobrang naguguluhan na ako hindi ko alam kung kanino ako maniniwala.

“Yes, Leyra. Your mother killed our baby. She suffered physically and mentally because of that. You remember about my mother in a hospital? It wasn’t my Mom who’s there, it was her,” sabi nito. I laughed while my tears are still dripping down and my heart aches so bad.

“She’s the person you always visit, now I get it. That’s why you didn’t allowed me to met her.” I turned to Krio, Lade, Rivanh “And, all of you know that, and yet no one ever dared to tell me.”

“Because all of them were part of the plan. Everyone fooled you, Leyra,” he said at tumawa habang pumapatak din ang mga luha nito.

“Why do I need to pay for all of my parents mistakes? Why me?”

“She killed our baby, so I must return the favor to ruined her daughter too,” wika ni Klio. Sobrang sakit. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ginawa sa’kin ‘to ni Klio.

“Bakit yung anak ko pa ang kailangan magsakripisyo sa kasalanan at pagkukulang ko sa’yo?” Mom bursts into tears.

“I suffered all of that because of you and I know your daughter felt the way that I felt before. Being compared with you. I know she hate you because of that. That’s why I used her to give you the pain I felt.” Anastasia in her evil tone.

“You’re wrong. I am not hating her. I felt what you felt being compared to Mom, but I wasn’t like you. I understand why people always compared me to her, because they see something in me to be good as her. Although I can’t be good as her but I know she loves me more than anything I could’ve imagined. I know she loves me for who I am now. And, I love her for that.” I looked at Mom and she was bursting into tears. Lumapit ako sa kanya. I hugged her tightly.

“STOP THE DRAMA!” she shouted. Kumawala kami sa pagkakayakap.

“Daia, stop this! You already caused too much pain. What’s even worse is that I didn’t even know that you are married to my daughter’s fiancé!?” Mom confronted her. Suddenly, a man just came and took over the scene.

“It was not him. I am the man he married.” He just appeared out of nowhere.

“Hyntall!?” I surprisingly said.

“What is happening?” Sa nalalaman ko ngayon sobrang gulong-gulo na ang utak ko. Kung kailan kailangan nang utak kong makalimot tsaka naman ito hindi nakalimot.

“I am Anastasia’s ex-husband,” he justified, “Leyra, that’s the reason I have this tattoo ring named Anastasia because it was the symbol of our marriage,” he said. “Klio has it too, for the symbol of their stupid love,” he added. Klio chuckled and smirked.

“Then why?” naguguluhan na tanong ni Mommy habang tinuturo si Klio at Anastasia.

“I ruined them. Simple as that,” Klio said and smiled.

“You’re insane Klio!” I yelled at him.

“I am really, Leyra!” he exclaimed and he looks aggressive now.

“Klio stop this! Hindi ka pa ba napapagod? Hindi ka pa ba tapos? You already ruined her life. Everything, Klio! The pain you’ve caused is too much! Hindi ka pa ba nakokonsensya?” pagkompronta nito kay Klio.

“How dare you to told me what to do!?” Klio shouted.

“Itigil mo na ‘to, Klio. Tama na,” Lade begged.

“Klio. Please itigil na natin lahat nang ito. We know you, hindi ikaw ‘yan. There’s still a chance to stop and correct this.” Rivahn also interrupted to stop him.

“No! There’s no chance for making things right. I already decided my path. And, if I have a chance to do it again. I will still do it for the woman I love.” He looked at Anastasia.

“It’s not love Klio, you are obsessed with her!” Lade shouted.

“Look at yourself Klio. You were manipulated by her. She wanted you to choose vengeance to ruin yourself. If she really loves you she wouldn’t allow you to be evil!” Rivanh exclaimed.

“Coming from a man who also choose vengeance for the girl he loves?” Anastasia said.

“What I did was for justice, Anastasia. Not for vengeance. I hope you know those are different,” Rivahn responded.

“Isn’t this justice? For us, for my baby!?” she exclaimed.

“No, Anastasia! This isn’t justice. Leyra’s Mom didn’t kill your baby. It was those rapist who did this. You just wanted revenge because of the things you lack, because of envy. You envy your sister for having a life you wish you had,” Hyntall said.

“ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!” Klio shouted. Krio spoke.

“Minahal ka niya nang sobra pa sa inaakala mo. I know that there are piece of you that loves her pero natakot ka. Pinigilan mo ang sarili mo na mahulog sa kanya because you know she will give you the love you deserve and always wanted, that Anastasia failed to gave you. You limit yourself to the idea of what love should be.” I saw Kliosate’s face having no emotions but tears are dripping down her face. He pointed the gun to Krio.

“Shut up!” mariing sabi nito.

“You don’t know how much we envy you, because of that love. I thought at first that you were lucky that it was you, she choose to love. Until I finally be able to be with her, and I realize you were not just lucky, you are blessed to loved by her. But, you ruined that love because you choose to be manipulated by your obsession towards Anastasia. You know how much Riushan and I wished that it was us. Ilang beses kong hiniling na sana ako na lang ‘yon. At ilang beses kong pinagsisihan that I didn’t protect her from you!”

“You really don’t want to shut up!?” Klio grab me at tinutok ang baril sa’kin. Everyone, panicked.

“KLIO NO!”

“DON’T DO THIS!”

“PLEASE KLIO!”

“Klio, please no! You are mad at me. Wag mo nang idamay ang anak ko. She suffered too much. Please ako na lang!” pagmamakaawa ni Mommy kaya naiyak na ako nang sobra.

“STOP IT KLIO! Kung hindi ka naawa sa kanya, sa kanila, please maawa ka naman sa sarili mo. Give your life a chance!” Hyntall advised.

“How dare all of you to say that to me! When all of you ruined that chance. Krio! You remember you said that in our family, you’re an outcast? But you’re not, because I am. I am the outcast of this family.

All of you think that I was the luckiest heir, because I was Abuelo’s favorite one, but I wasn’t, in fact it was a cursed. In terms of favoritism I never win.

You don’t know how much pressure Abuelo have given to me. Everytime I failed on little stupid things, I was the one who blamed. Just like when we were kids, remember? I was the one who always blamed for the mistakes you guys made. Rivahn and Lade you’re our grandparents favorite. Kriogri and Ruishan are Mom’s favorite, remember?

Hyntall you are my Daddy’s favorite, you know that, my own father. But, it wasn’t a big deal since I still have you guys, but

All of you hated me. Rivanh favorite was Krio, Riushan’s favorite was Lade, vice versa and Hyntall’s love you all except me, because of a one night mistake. It was clear to me why Abuelo made me the superior among us, because I was the favorite one to held all accountable on every downfall of our family. The only person who’s down for me was her. Anastasia was the only person who appreciated me and love me for who I am. I fell in love with her. Having her in my life made me feel valuable. Until everything was ruined again. I promised to myself that I won’t love anybody except her. And, I will do everything for her.”

“What about the love I have for you, Klio? Doesn’t it made you feel valuable? I was there with you too!” I interrupted him, he stared at me, his tears are still dripping from his eyes but he looks emotionless. “But, of course you’ll never see that because everything for you was a lie,” I chuckled. He stayed silent for awhile. It left him speechless I guess.

“And, I don’t think you were an outcast. I’ve witnessed how your brother and cousins wanted to get close to you, but you were always the one who avoids and doesn’t want to dealt with them. It wasn’t them who made you an outcast. It was you! You made yourself an outcast.” I can feel his tears drips on my shoulders, while he strangled his arms on my neck and pointing the gun on me. “Now, I understand if Hyntall doesn’t want to deal with you. You steal the important person he had. His wife, Klio! Imagine how much pain he endured, seeing his own brother stealing the woman he loves and married,” dagdag ko pa. I don’t care anymore about his feelings. I wanted him to realize what he have done. Wala na rin akong pakialam sa gagawin niya sa’kin. This truth is killing me now.

I can feel his hands shivers and I can sense every breath he take. I know Klio for a long time and I know he felt guilty right now.

“Now, if you wanted to kill me, to make Anastasia and yourself satisfied, then do it!” I shouted.

“LEYRA NO!” Krio shouted. I looked at Krio in the eyes. I know he also betrayed me by lying to me. But, I can’t feel any anger towards him, all I can feel for him is love. I know he lied to me because he wanted to protect me. Gusto niya akong ilayo sa nakaraan ko kasi alam niyang mangyayari ang araw na ‘to. He knows the pain I would feel when I finally find out that the man I choose to love from the past is the man who took away my future. A sudden thought hit me. What if I choose to just move on? Paano kung hindi ako nagpumilit na hanapin ang katotohan? Would I live a normal life?

But, then again knowing the truth is much better even though how painful it would cost rather than living and be stuck in the past questioning why this happened.

“Just kill me, Klio!” I shouted. After that I took a deep breath. Sobrang nanghihina na ako sa mga nangyayari.

“LEYRA! PLEASE! DON’T DO THAT! I STILL NEED YOU!” Krio exclaimed.

“I love you so much, Krio! I’m sorry if I always forget you.” I noticed Kliosate’s grip loosened. What is he doing?

“Kliosate, please don’t do this. Alam naming nagkulang kami sa’yo. We’re sorry for that. We became insensitive on your feelings. Our family was never perfect but we love you, you know that. Please, bro stop it,” pagmamakaawa ni Lade.

“Do you remember what we promised on each other when we were still kids? Whatever happens we must protect and love each other. So, please don’t do this. We love you and we can’t afford to lose you!” Rivahn also begged, all of them are in tears now.

“Don’t listen to them. If we didn’t continue what we started we’ll end up in jail, Klio!” pananakot nito kay Klio. I can’t believe Mommy has a Sister like this.

Pansin kong unti-unting binababa ni Klio ang baril na nakatutok sa akin. He then pushed me to Krio. He hugged me tightly. I heard him saying, “I can’t lose you. I’m so sorry.”

“KLIOSATE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” sigaw ni Anastasia kaya nabaling ulit ang atensyon namin sa kanila.

“Let’s end this. I’m so tired. I’ve tried Anastasia, but it wasn’t you anymore, it wasn’t us anymore. I loved you too much that I forgot to love my family. I’ve done everything you said and I can’t do it anymore.” Klio kneeled on her. Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko, I was torn between in anger or pity. Kliosate’s obsession towards her made him evil.

“I’ll kill myself if you do this!” pagbabanta nito.

“You always said that to me. You always threatened me. I’m so tired of your alibi.” Klio was bursting into tears.

“Daia, please let’s end this. You still have a chance to do what’s right,” Mommy begged her.

“NO! I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU! IF YOU DON’T WANT TO END THIS, I’LL END THIS!” He get the gun from Klio and pointed it to me. I feel like the time slowed. But, everything happened so fast. I heard everyone screamed. Gunshots was heard all over the place. Krio pushed me on the side, and I saw him carrying the body of Kliosate full of blood. It was supposed to be me but Kliosate take the bullets. I saw both of them fall on the stairs. Nakita ko rin ang malakas na pagtama ng ulo ni Krio sa isang antique na statue na nakadisplay sa gilid ng hagdan.

“NO!” Rivahn and Lade screamed at hindi nila naabutan na mahawakan ang dalawa.

I also heard Mom kneeled screaming, I follow the direction on which onto her eyes was looking, my body shivers when I saw Anastasia’s body lying, full of blood. My vision focused on Hyntall, who was in tears and holding a gun. He killed Anastasia. He killed his wife.

He immediately comes to her ex-wife’s dead body. Inakay niya ito. He was crying. I can’t imagine the pain Hyntall is having right now. I heard him said to her.

“I’m sorry, I failed to give you the family you always wanted. I love you so much.” Anastasia managed to move her hand and caresses Hyntall’s face. Bloods painted on his cheeks, while Anastasia was coughing with blood and hardly breathing. “F-forgive me,” sambit nito. Hyntall just nodded. Mom held her hands. I heard Mom saying, “I’m so sorry, Daia. Sorry sa lahat ng pagkukulang ko sa’yo.” I saw her smiled. She held back Mom’s hand. After that her hand fell, a sign that she lost her life.

Hyntall kissed her in the forehead. My attention diverted to the bodies who fell on the stairs.

I get up and run towards them.

KRIOGRI’S POV

Kliosate’s body fell on me, I can feel a heavy pain in my body, I lost balance and the next thing that happened we fell on the stairs, my head suddenly hit on a solid object. I don’t know what it was, I felt dizzy, my vision slowly turned blurry. I saw Klio’s body next to me. He is still alive but he was hardly breathing, he was coughing with blood.

“K-kuya,” I whispered, I tried to get up to come close to him. Rivahn and Lade comes close to us.

“Krio, are you okay?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Lade. I can sense their fear of losing us. I just nodded on him. I pressed his wounds to stop the blood from coming out from his body. I’m still dizzy. I think anytime I would pass out. I can’t faint in here. I need to save him, I need to save my brother.

“Klio, hold on! We’ll bring you to the hospital!” Lade hysterically utter. Klio give a tightened grip on Lade’s wrist.

“N-no! I-it’s okay. I-I can’t hold it anymore.”

“Krio!” I heard a familiar voice that came down and came to hug me. I was in shocked. It was, Leyra. I never expected that the first name she would said between me and Klio, she choose mine.

“Are you okay?” nag-aalalang tanong nito sa’kin. I can see in her that she’s already tired. I’m sorry for causing you too much pain, Leyra.

I also just nodded. She diverted her attention on Kliosate.

“I-I think I loved you but I can’t love anyone the way I used to love her. I-I’m so sorry for ruining your life,” Kliosate said.

“You don’t know how much pain I’ve been through just to find the justice for you, for us. I’ve been hurting so bad just to find out who did this to us. Because, I don’t want to wake up every single day thinking that you’re still here with me. Having the best days. But, the truth I wanted to know just broke me. It was just you all this time.” Every words she said screams pain.

“Your sorry can’t bring back my normal life, Klio. But, thank you for giving me memories I know I would treasure,” I saw her get the engagement ring Klio gave, she gave it back to Kliosate’s hand full of bloods. She then uttered, “Happy Anniversary, my love. Goodbye.” Kliosate smiled at her. “I’m glad you meet him.” His last words to Leyra. We saw Kliosate took his last breath. And again, I failed to save my brother.

“NO!” Lade and Rivahn screams in grief. I can’t utter a single word, my body feel numbness, I’m so dizzy. Nakaramdam ako ng sakit sa tagiliran. I hold it using my hands, my hands shivers when I saw bloods on it. I didn’t realize I was hit by a bullet and suddenly I feel a liquid that drips coming from my head. It was blood.

“K-krio?!” I looked at Leyra, and the next thing I know I was lying. I was hardly breathing while my vision is getting blurry. Leyra held me on her lap.

LEYRA’S POV

The moment I saw blood on Krio’s hand gives me fear. He was lying now. I immediately held him in my lap. Lade stands up and immediately run outside maybe to ready the car. Bubuhatin na sana ito ni Rivahn ngunit pinigilan niya ito.

“What are you doing!?” Rivahn exclaimed.

“It’s okay. I will pass out before you can brought me to the hospital. After this I don’t know if I can still wake up, so please, give me this moment.” Rivahn let him, at napaupo na lang ito habang nakahawak sa ulo niya, he was crying so bad.

I don’t understand why Krio is doing this. He get something from his pocket. It was a key. He gazed at me.

“Leyra, take this. It was a key to my room. I have a present for you there.” Inabot niya ito sa’kin, nagtataka ko namang kinuha ito.

“Ano bang ginagawa mo!?” mariing tanong ko.

“You asked me to marry you, the moment I get your I love you. I promised that I will marry you.” I was in awe when he has a ring on his hand. Tears from both of us are overflowing.

“I can’t take the vow with you on the altar. But, on this day, I’m fulfilling what I pledged,” he take a deep breath and continued, “Will you marry me?”

I can’t hold my emotions anymore. I don’t know what would I feel. I love him, but I can’t take to see him asking me to be his other half in a life and death situation. I want to see us exchanging vows on the altar. I can’t lose him this way.

“I-I need answer, Leyra. I’m about to lose sight of you.”

“Yes, Krio! I will marry you!” He slid the gold and diamond ring on my finger. I kissed him passionately until I can no longer feel his presence. He passed out.