hannah's parent

Hannah's Parent

Ciara's pov

We're both in the park beside the seaside right now while eating some street foods that we saw on the food stalls around the park. I didn't even know that there's such a mesmerizing place like this existing inside the subdivision, if only I had the chance to go outside before and hang out like this all by myself, maybe all the problems I'm carrying all through the years may be less at least by watching the unbelievably beautiful view in here.

"I always do this whenever I'm alone and felt lonely," I heard Hannah gasp some fresh air, right now we're sitting on the big rocks alongside the river while feeling the cold breeze that was brushing on our face, my heart seems to go along on every move of the small waves of the water.

This is so calming.. and welcoming.

The pleasure of feeling to watch every stroke of the water makes my heart at ease. It is as if it's making me feel what real freedom feels like and I'm just being attached to it already. The sound of the waves was like music into my ears, it's so soothing.

"Whenever I have a problem and feel like giving up in my life. I always go here to shout and release all my pain and let the sea wash all of it away. In such a way, it gives me more strength and hopes that I should continue living again." I turned my gaze on her as she loudly sighed.

I wonder, did I also become one of her problems? Probably, yes. Maybe she went here from the day I stole the love of her life. I know it's hard for her and all I can feel right now is pure guilt and regret.

For a moment, I felt pain in my heart. Here we go again. I'm living a regretful life even though the person next to me right now just made me feel that I shouldn't have felt this because I did nothing. I felt Hannah's eyes at me so I looked at her too. She's now smiling at me. I'm a bit surprised when she holds my hand and softly caresses it as if it's her way to calm me down and tell me that everything will be alright.

"Life must have been tough for you," her gaze was so soft that it gave me so much comfort. Comfort that I didn't know I'd been longing for.

"But I want you to know that I'm so proud of you for not giving up at your lowest. Thank you for being brave, Ciara. You may not know this but you did it. You made it. You fought well and you did a great job fighting for your life through your hardest times. You're a brave warrior, Ciara, because you're still here, fighting for everything. And I'm so thankful for that. Please, keep going, I know you're almost at the end and something great is waiting for you. So please, survive in this cruel world, I know you can make it. You can do this."

A tear suddenly escaped from my eyes as I heard those unexpected words from her. My chest went light as I felt the fast fulfillment in my heart that seemed so full right now as soon as her words took all over my system. It gives me a lot of comfort.

Hannah was staring at me calmly, sincerity and truthfulness were so visible in her eyes.

"Thank you.." I can't help but shed tears when she pulled me for a hug.

"Don't feel bad again, hmm? I'm here. I'll stay here from now on, you can rely on me." She gave me a welcoming smile which made me feel even more relieved and comfortable around her.

I felt so happy right now. I'm crying not because of the pain again, I'm crying but because, finally, someone made me feel what happiness felt like that I've been longing for. The joy that I wanted to experience and didn't think that the person who could give me a chance to feel all of this was my so-unexpected person, none other than her.

Hannah.

We stayed up until like that for only God knows how long. Leaning to each other's heads while watching the fascinating view. It's so beautiful.

The sea was so beautiful, it gave me so much calm that I just wanted to stay here forever and never come back to the darkness again.

I sighed as I roamed my eyes around and watched those kids who were genuinely laughing while playing with their parents. A small smile flashed on my lips.

I wonder, do they also have a problem carrying at such a young age? Maybe, nothing, right? They seem to be just fully enjoying their childhood. I was thinking, how does it feel? How does it feel to laugh genuinely in such an age? Maybe, if I'll be the one to ask when I'm still in their generation, I would probably say nothing because I have never experienced being happy and that free at such an age.

It's always the study first and getting to know and learn about a business that I had experienced before. They're always controlling my life, the things that I should've wanted, the things that I should do, they're the ones who decide and not me.

"I wonder what they feel being with their parents," I said. Hannah smiled when she also saw the child playing around.

"I don't know either," a brittle smile shows on her.

"Why?" She doesn't experience that too?

"They're now resting in peace," she answered, which made my lips loosen.

Does she no longer have a parent?

"I'm sorry," my heart ached.

"Nothing to be sorry about, it's been a year. How about you? Where're your parents?" She asked.

"They're here, alive, but feel like they're not. I'm not in a good state with them, they're mad from something I didn't know that I did." She adjusted her seat when she heard me. But I'm a bit surprised at myself when I don't feel anything, I'm not hurt nor feel bad when I let those words escape from my mouth. Maybe because I was already used to the feeling of being distant from them for a long time that it never goes to my mind that I still have them since they never bother to visit and ask how I am.

"What? They're mad at you from what? Why?" She asked, anger was evident in her eyes as if he was angrier from that fact. But I just laughed when I also didn’t know how to answer her question.

I don't know? That's also my question, why did they get mad at me? All I know is, one day when I wake up, I have no parents to lean on anymore.

"I don't know the answer either. But that time, Tyron and I had probably been together for a few months. Then, I was just surprised. Daddy called me out and didn't expect what they told me, they're so mad at me because of the thought of me being an irresponsible wife of him. They even accused me of going somewhere to meet a guy and saying that it was my fling?" A mirthless chuckle escaped from me because of disbelief when I remember those moments.

"They didn't even bother asking me first to confirm if it was true, but they didn't listen even if I kept on trying to explain my side. But their ears and eyes were too closed because of anger they don't want to hear anything from me. They didn't even know what's the truth," I narrated as I watched the exact scenario in my mind. Since then, I haven't received anything from them, even one word. They never do it again. It's like they no longer considered me as their child when it happened.

I didn't even know where they got those rumors about me. Well, maybe yes I happened to go in the house often, but that doesn't mean that I was meeting some other guy. Because I, myself, wasn't even aware that I was leaving, and just woke up the next day, realizing I was lying in the hospital while some apparatus was attached to my body.

I hid about that from them for a long time, especially Tyron. Because besides not wanting me to be a burden in their lives, I also don't want them to pity me just because of that. At first, I was hospitalized because I often fainted, and got used to it, but I didn't know that it was an illness that will never be cured anymore.

"I don't even know where they got those things they accuse me of."

"They tell you all of those? Gosh.. how come they accuse their child without even knowing the truth first. Such a disappointment," I could feel the annoyance in her voice. I knew she would ask more questions about me, but I didn't want to talk about it anymore, so I just diverted the topic.

"Is it okay if I ask?" I asked, hesitating.

"Of course, whatever it is." I was silent for a few more seconds before finally asking my question.

"How.. your parents passed away?" I asked I don't know if it was right for me to ask that kind of question, but it's so sensitive of me, should I just take it back? She was shocked when I asked her directly.

"Ah.. no, I mean. Sorry, don't mind it, I'll take it back," I said when she didn't answer and remained silent for a moment, but she just smiled at me.

"You want to know?" I snapped and tried to read her eyes if it was really okay with her, but I see nothing but a pure will to tell me everything. That's why I slowly nodded. I was kind of surprised when she rose from her seat and held out her hand in front of me.

"Take my hand, come with me."

"W-where are we going?"

"I'll show you where my parents died, then I'll tell you what happened to them that time." She smiled again and it was obviously not forced so it seemed okay for her to talk about it, so I stood up and held her hand.

I just let her drag me as she pulled my hand to get into her car, when we got there she started quickly. I didn’t know where we were going, but I didn’t take my eyes off her. I noticed that as we slowly moved farther away from where we came from, I could see the fear and sadness in her eyes.

"Hannah, it's okay with me if you won't tell me anymore. Let's just go back if you can't right now, " I worriedly suggested because the sadness was so visible in her eyes. When she turned to me I could see it, even more, it became clear to me how sad her eyes were.

It tells a lot of tragic stories...

"No, it's fine to me, I can handle this, don't worry. I also want to go back to that place," she said with a thin smile and sighed even though it was obvious that she was just encouraging herself not to feel anything and be natural.

"Hannah, let's just go back-" my gaze lowered down in my hand when she held it.

"Stay beside me, please? Even just for today, I want to get there," she pleaded, I wanted to refuse because it was obvious in her eyes that she really could not go back to wherever the tragedy happened to her parents. But I just nodded as I intertwined our hands to make her feel that I'm just here, I won't leave her.

You should stay beside her, Ciara. She stayed by your side when you needed someone to lean on and now that she is the one in your shoes, don't leave her side to let her know that she also has someone to lean on and it was you.

"Don't worry, I won't leave, I'm here." I gave her an assurance smile, so she nodded at me uneasily. We traveled for a while when she spoke again.

"Until now, I can't find the person who did that to my parents. I just saw them lying on the floor, blood all over their bodies, lying on the floor with their bodies cold and lifeless." I looked at her as she smiled bitterly while her eyes were just focusing on the road.

"Whoever they are, don't they ever try to show themselves on me, because I will make sure that their disgusting body will rot in hell," she blurted out as anger prevailed in the tone of her words while her eyes were glaring and getting darkened.

"Hannah.." I was about to hold her in her arms, but I was shocked when she slapped my hand.

"Shut up!" I was taken back and gulped when her glaring eyes darted on me and her pitch got high. But I was more surprised when I saw a man who was about to cross the road— oh my!

"Hannah!!" I screamed as she immediately pulled the brake, causing us to almost crash on the front.

"Oh, God!" Our eyes widened in shock as we started from the outside, still in the process of sinking in my head what just happened, but I was also immediately taken aback when I heard Hannah's voice panicking as she hurriedly removed her seatbelt on her body.

"What happened?!" She asked nervously and then got out of the car. I quickly followed after I also removed my seatbelt. When I finally got out of the car, Hannah and I were both statuesque in our stand when we saw the person lying down on the ground, unconscious.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't see him.. my god, I'm sorry.." Hannah repeatedly apologizes to the man who doesn't seem to hear what she was saying.

"What am I going to do? I... I just unintentionally hit someone, Ciara. I don't know what to do.. oh God, what I just had done." Hannah stood up and walked around, didn't know what to do, looking so nervous.

I immediately checked the man's pulse and my face seemed to light up when I could still feel it.

"He's still alive, let's take him to the hospital! "Hannah looked at me with teary eyes, but we didn't waste any more time and we quickly worked together to lift the man inside the car.

"What if we got jailed? ”Hannah asked anxiously as we got back in the car.

"Just drive, nothing bad will happen, we can explain if someone ever gets arrested and asked us what happened," I said, and then she quickly drove the car to the nearest hospital.

"S-sorry. I'm sorry, Ciara."

"It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been carried by my emotions, sorry... I didn't mean to put us in here, I'm sorry, " I rubbed his back because I could also feel her nervousness. I can't even calm myself down either because this doesn't happen once in my whole life and I don't really know what to do.

"Hush, no one is at fault, okay? Calm down.."

A few minutes later we finally arrived at the hospital and stopped the car. Unluckily I saw some cops at the entrance of the hospital which made my fear and nervousness prevail.

"Stretcher, please!!" The nurse shouted as she guided us.

"I accidentally hit him, please do everything to save him. I'm willing to pay no matter how much it costs, j-just please. do everything.."

"We will, What's the relationship from the patient?"

"Nothing..."

"We will provide the patient with first aid for now, because we still need to call her relatives first before we proceed," the nurse explained, which made us both nod, while I was peeking through the transparent glass where the man was taken.

We haven't been able to leave immediately since after the nurse talked to Hannah, the cops approached us. We only talked and explained our side for a few hours until the relatives of the patient arrived.

We were even taken to the hall, along with the patient's wife. And we were just so thankful for his great wisdom because she dismissed the case that should have been filed against Hannah because apart from Hannah who was in charge of all the bills, someone also stated that the patient was also at fault because if he knew that there was still a car passing by and the stoplight was still on, he wouldn't cross right away if it wasn't possible. The case is that he was hit because he immediately crossed.

The process at the barangay hall did not take long either because we went back to the hospital to know the patient's case. Hannah also paid the bill and we again asked for an apology from the man's relative. They also apologized back and thanked us for not involving the patient in the hit-and-run case.

For now, we are still waiting for the doctor to come out of the ER, since the patient is said to be awake and stable now. I even noticed how Hannah's hands were trembling. That's why I held it to make her calm.

"It's fine, Hannah. It's all done. Please calm down," I tried to calm her, but she was really restless while we were still waiting for the result. Soon after, the doctor came out with the man's wife.

"How's the patient, doc?" Hannah rose from her seat.

"Nothing to worry anymore, he's already fine. But he still needs to stay here to regain her strength." The doctor smiled and then excused himself to us after. We talked with the patient's wife for a while and everything was settled, so we don't have to worry. Hannah and I also said goodbye nicely, especially to the patient. He also apologized to us, so we left the hospital at ease.

Hannah and I agreed to go where we were supposed to go earlier, I know she still hasn't recovered from the incident, so I just let her drive again going to that place even though it was already night.

"Where are we now, Hannah?" I asked while looking out the window.

"Santa Rosa," she answered, while her eyes were still swollen. We stopped at an abandoned place. It was obviously old and very dark inside since it was already night.

"Hannah. Are you sure this is the place?" I asked nervously, as if I didn't want to go any further. Because I don't have a good feeling about this place. I haven't been to this place yet but it seems like the vibe isn't good for me and I have this feeling that this place also has a connection to me, even though there really isn't one.

"Yeah, come on, let's go in," she took my hand.

"Don't be afraid, I'm with you."

"Are there any ghosts here?"

"A lot," she laughed as I paused.

"Just kidding, there's nothing."

"Shut up."

I looked around as the light coming from the moon lightened the surroundings. We also used a flashlight so we could see the place better, this is kinda big. But what scared me was that there were still traces of blood on the ground when I aimed the light in different directions. I just covered my nose when the smell wafted around, and so Hannah did.

"Gosh, this place was kinda old and.. creepy."

"Right here, my parents were killed." I heard Hannah speak who was not far from me. We both walk around the building but we stay close together.

"How was the murder done?" I asked and sat on the rock I saw. She stopped walking, so I turned the light on her.

"All I know is they were kidnapped and sent to this abandoned place. Before they were mercilessly desecrated. That's what my brother told me," she confessed, I nodded before turning my gaze around again.

"Why did they do that to your parents?"

"My parents owe a lot to those people. My mom promised them that they would pay it, but it's been a long time since that debt, it still hasn't been paid. That's why, they were kidnapped and paid the debt by their own lives in exchange for the half a million they owed." She smiled bitterly as her fists clenched.

I watched Hannah's face, as tears welled up in her eyes. Only now did I realize that I was still lucky because my parents are still alive even though we're not in good condition.

"Do you know who killed them?" She turned her gaze to me when I asked that.

She just smiled and sat down next to me as she bent over her own arm and I could already hear his faint sobs, that's why I rubbed her back.

"I know them, but I can't do anything and I can't retaliate because it's hard to fight those people. I'm tired of just keeping my anger, I want to bring justice to my parents' death, but I don't know how I will do it." She bit his lower lip to stop her sobs.

"I want to get revenge, Ciara. I want to finish all of them and vanish from this world. I don't know how they get to wake up everyday without regretting what they did to my parents." There was anger and hatred in the tone of his voice, it was as if my heart was broken when I heard her sobbed. I didn't know that she was carrying all of this heavy feeling of her all along, and here I am thought that she was the bravest woman, but didn't know that she's braver than the brave.

"Do you perhaps know at least their names? Maybe I can help you find them. ”I voluntarily lend my help.

"I met the woman as Kylie De Mastrano and her husband Azer De Mastrano. Those heartless people.. they don't deserve to be alive.. as well as everyone in their family. They don't deserve to be happy as how they made me feel when they killed my parents," Her eyes were so sharp that he seemed to be killing those people in her mind.

"Don't worry, your time will come, you will also be able to bring justice to the death of your parents." I smiled and hugged her.

We stayed for a few more minutes and talked more about everything, until we thought of getting home.

"Come on, it's about to get dark, Tyron might do something again when he finds you not at home again."

"No, I won't let him hurt me anymore." I said bravely, so she smiled at me brightly.

I will not let myself suffer from his hands over again.

"Let's go?" I nodded and held her hand before we walked out of the building.

One last time, I glanced at that place again. Hopefully, justice will be served for the death of Hannah's parents so that she can live now peacefully. I smiled bitterly before we finally left that traumatic place.