When the Thunder Weren't Hush

Chapter 2 (Gregorius Severine Alegre)

//the ancient witch//

I sighed very deep and put on my concealer, a good way to hide sleepless nights.

"Good morning Miss, nasa hotel na po ang bisitang inaasahan niyo.." bungad ni Min nang lumabas ako sa elevator.

I nodded. I went on precisely, gracing the horror hallways with a usual tedious face. Wearing a black surplice neck butterfly sleeves dress.

"Miss, magandang umaga." he greeted, the Barangay Captain. "T-teka. K-kilala kita ah?"

"Yes. Ako ang nakita mo kahapon." I admitted emotionless. "I put that letter on your papers."

I glanced at the coffin. A very well proportioned wooden coffin, it looks good on her wife, it's beautiful.

"P-paano mong nalaman ang tungkol sa asawa ko? Paano nagkaroon ng ganito dito?"

I halted my gaze at him. "Don't talk while grieving, fix yourself first. Mag-uusap tayo pagkatapos nito."  ngisi ko.

He uttered a voiceless agreement.

I gave him an assuring look and went far from him. Umalis ako doon nang hindi umiimik.

Dumiretso ako sa coffee station.

Doon naabutan ko si Mang Romeo.

"Kumusta ang tulog mo? Naka-usap mo na ang bisita mo?"

Hindi palang ako umuupo ay binombarda na ako.

I sat quietly and stared boringly outside. My world is dull, tedious. Never been colored by anything, not from my friends even my family.  The way I love is far from usual, it is mixed with desire and wants. It's not pure. I will cage anything I want, through hook or by crook.

And that man.

That dashing and gorgeous male.

He looks noble and sharp-minded.

He is arrogant, but I see shallowness, especially in eyes.

"Pakitawag si Jude, aalis ako." tanging nagsabi ko.

He hummed his approval and went outside after a minute.

Tahimik akong naglakad papunta sa reception hall. Nang matanaw ang sasakyan ay agad akong sumampa sa drivers seat at pinaandar ang makina.

"Mauuna na ako sa loob." Jude said while smirking.

I ignored it and roared the engine near to its fullest. I  gripped the steering wheel and started to brusque my auto.

Tuloy-tuloy lang ang pagharurot ng sasakyan hanggang sa makarating ako sa pamilyar na bench.

Umupo ako ng tahimik ang nagmasid.

"Ate! Ate!"

I looked at the grade school kid who is smiling at me. "Bakit?"

She smiled truly. "Pwede mo ba akong basahan ng kwento. Eto oh! Si Cinderella."

I accepted it boredly and opened it. Napataas ako ng kilay nang tumabi ito at dumikit sa akin.

"Hindi ka ba marunong magbasa?"

"Marunong po, ng kaunti."

I gave her the book. "Sigurado akong alam mo na to. Bakit mo pa ipapabasa ulit?"

She scratched her forehead. "Nabasa ko na po iyan. Baka ikaw po ate hindi pa?"

My eyes rolled. "Alam ko na ang kwentong yan."