Ceaseless

8

Trigger Warning: Sexual Violence

Nakabusangot lang ako buong magdamag dahil sa nangyari sa library. Oh my gosh! That was so embarrassing. I don't know how to face him anymore. I covered my face with a pillow and shouted in frustration.

"Gia," I heard my tito's voice. Nakauwi na pala siya. Dali-dali akong pumunta sa pintuan para pagbuksan ito.

"Hi tito," masayang bati ko. I hugged him. "How was your day?" tanong ko at ngumiti siya.

"It was fine." Sagot niya. Pumasok kami s akwarto ko at umupo siya sa couch. "It's your birthday next week. What do you want?"

I almost forgot about my birthday. It's gonna be my first birthday without my parents kaya nalungkot ako. I'll be turning 18. "Ikaw na bahala tito." Sabi ko. I don't have friends anyway so ipapaubaya ko na lang kay tito iyon.

"Are you sure?" he stood and walked towards me.

"Opo!" I assured him and he kissed my forehead.

"Very well," he smirked. I somehow felt weird. "Matulog ka na. Goodnight, munchkin." After that he left my room. I was bewildered by his smile a while ago.

Palapit na palapit na ang kaarawan at pansin ko ring maraming katawagan si tito sa telepono araw-araw. He was laughing and joking. Hindi ko masyadong naririnig yung usapan nila at ayoko rin naman din making kasi it's bad to eavesdrop. One time he was talking to someone and he caught me staring at him and he just gave me the same smile that sent shivers down my spine.

"Anong gusto mong regalo?" bigla nalang akong tinanong ni Peter. Nawala na rin yung hiya ko sa kanya kaya ayos na ako.

"I don't need anything. Kontento na ako sa kung anong meron ako ngayon." Sabi ko sa kanya. Nasa poolside kami ngayon.

"Kahit ano wala?" tanong niya ulit and I nodded.

"I have uncle. As long as I have a family, I won't be needing anything else." Napaangat ako sa langit. Hoping mom and dad would see me.

"You also have me." Napatingin ako sa kanya. His eyes full of sincerity. "I'll give you something on your eighteenth birthday." Sabi niya at tumayo para umalis. Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin. What was that?

"Happy birthday, Munchkin!" bati ni tito sa akin. Kakagising ko lang at sinurpresa niya ako sa kwarto. When did he make this? My room is filled with pastel pink balloons. Papalapit si Tito sa akin na may dalang cake. "Make a wish." Sabi niya.

I closed my eyes. I wish to be happy and to be the cause of happiness as well. Dumilat ako at hinipan ang candila.

"Yey! My munchkin is legal now." Masaya niyang sabi.

"Thank you for doing this, Tito." I was touched by his sudden surprise. "I really appreciate it."

"This is just the beginning," napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya para kasing iba yung tono ng pagkakasabi niyang iyon. "The real party is just about to begin." He smirked.

Tito prepared a grand party for me pala. He invited his friends and business partners. Maraming ng tao sa bahay niya. A lot of people also greeted and gave me presents. I don't know all of them but they are my tito's friends so I should be nice to them.

"Happy Birthday!" bati ng isang matanda sa akin. "You're right she's one gorgeous girl." Sabi niya kay tito.

"I know right?" sabi ni tito.

"Thank you po." Sabi ko. The old man was holding my hands. Iba yung pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko kaya agad akong bumkitaw sa kanya. Bigla akong natakot. I excused myself. Hindi pa sana ako papaalisin ni tito pero naiilang ako sa matanda doon kaya sinabi ko na lang na magbabanyo ako.