PROJECT: LMSW (Under Revision)

21-Run

PROJECT LMSW💡
Chapter 21: Run

JAM's POV

Looking at the sea's horizon while sitting in the warm sand, I wrapped my arms to my knees, just to embrace myself.
Pakiramdam ko'y ligaw na kuting ako, hindi kilala at alam kung sino ba ako.

Natatandaan ko lahat, lahat lahat na para bang kahapon lang nangyari, kung paanong dati ay isang inosenteng bata lang ako, walang kamuwang muwang sa impyernong 'to, kung paanong isang araw ay nabali lahat ng paniniwala ko.
All of it happened in just a snap.

————-FLASHBACK————-

"And they lived happily ever after"
My mom said as she closes my favorite bedtime story book.

"Which part is your favorite?" She asked me as she caressed my forehead and leave a smack.

"The moment she ran away from the evil queen!" I answered as a young child, with sparkles in my eyes, trying to reminisce the story part.

"Hmm? Bakit naman?"

"Because after that she met the dwarfs! Hi-ho! Hi-ho!" She chuckled when I start to sing.

"That's the very awful part, Yanie." My father interfered, I almost forgot that he's sitting in his work table, loaded of papers, near us.

"Haze, ano ba." I turned at my mom, confused.

"But Papa, why?"
He stared at me for a minute before putting down his eyeglasses and lied down beside me.

"The moment Snow ran away, she turned back, right?"
I nodded as I patiently waiting for his explanation.

"At pgkatapos niyang lumingon, nadapa siya, nasugatan ng mga sanga ng puno, halos masira ang damit niya."

"But that's because she was terrified and told to runaway." I had an urge to cry just by imagining those things that happened to my favorite fictional character.

"That's why, when you run, don't ever look back, Yanie. Or else,you'll got deep cuts and bruises, that'll forever live here." He said as he pointed my heart.
I was eight that time, I never expected that it was my last conversation with my father.
When the morning came, he left.

•••••

Malakas ang ulan, sabay sa kaba at takot na gumagapang sa buong katawan ko.
Sobrang gulo ng bahay namin at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nagmamadali mag-impake ng gamit si mama at Lolo.

"Ma? Anong nangyayari? Ngayon ba uuwi si Papa?"
It's been two years since he left us, without any words.

"Yanie, please, bilisan mo na lang ang kilos mo—

She was cut off by my grandfather

"Xandra! Nandito na sila!"
Ilang sandali pa'y namalayan ko na lang na tumatakbo kami, sinusuong ang malakas na ulan.

We we're running without a direction, natigil kami ako sa pagtakbo ng huminto si Mama, nasa paanan na kami ng bundok.

Yumukod siya para magpantay kami, saka ngumiti.

"Yanie, do you remember what you're father said about running?"
My brows furrowed, why is she bringing that up? Ang akala ko ba ay nag mamadali kami?

"Yanie, it's okay."

"Ma, tara na." I tried to pull her but she just kissed my hand.
Lumingon ako kay Lolo na hindi kalayuan sa pwesto namin, iniwasan ang tingin ko.

Tinanggal niya ang panyo niya saulo, lagi siyang may suot na ganoon, a hairband. After that, she placed it into my neck, doesn't care if it's already soaking wet.

"Don't ever look back, okay?" She asked with a smile.
Pagkatapos noon ay nagpupumiglas na ako sa buhat ng lolo ko.

————-END OF FLASHBACK————

That rainy night, when I leaved her behind with those smile on her face, a ton of shit happened to me. Magmula sa palagiang paglipat namin kung saan-saan, sa proyektong 'to, hanggang sa mga nalaman ko.
Nakakapagtaka kung bakit may sugat pa rin ako ng mga nangyari sa'kin, kahit sinunod ko naman 'yung sinabing wag akong lumingon.
Siguro nga ganoon talaga ang ugali ng tatay ko, sinungaling.

Kinuha ko ang panyo ni Mama sa bulsa ko para isuot sa leeg ko na madalas ay ginagawa ko sa mga sitwasyon na gaya nito.

"Pinangatawanan niya talaga 'yung pangalan niya." Bulong ko sa hangin habang pinupunusan ang mga luha ko.

Alexandra, defender of mankind.
That's my mom's name.

"Ano 'yon bata? Gusto mo ng stick?"
Gulat akong napalingon sa isang matipuno pero may kaedaran na lalaki di kalayuan sa'kin. Siya 'yung tumulong sa'min na makatakas.

"Ibig sabihin taga Socrus ka din." Bulong ko.

"Ano naman ngayon?"
Ibinuga niya muna ang usok mula sa sigarilyo niya bago humarap siya sa'kin.

"Kanina noong hindi mo pa alam, hindi ba't ikaw ang unang nagbigay ng tiwala mo sa'kin?
May naiba ba kung hindi? Bakit? Kasi sa tingin mo masama kami? You're still a kid if that's what you're thinking.
Kung 'yan ang tinuro nila sa inyo dito, hindi kita masisisi,it's just that, we are misjudged, and hated for no reason."
Mahabang litanya niya habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko.

Sasagot pa sana ako ng bigla siyang tumayo.

"Jam." Rinig ko ang boses ni Toni sa likod ko.

"Alis na ako bata,salamat pala kanina. Ikaw unang sumakay sa sasakyan ko, malaking bagay 'yon." He patted my head before leaving.

"Wait, your name please."

"Freyr."