Breakthroughs within Barriers (Youth Series #4)

14

#BWB14

I only did it not because of love, but because of guilt. Nothing more.

I opened the faucet and started to wash my face with water. Hinilamusan ko ng maigi ang mukha ko. I then closed the faucet and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I let the water run down my face. I was breathing heavily, guilty of my own stupid decisions but I know half-heartedly is my fault. 

Why can't I quit this stupid game?

It's like my mind is playing tricks on me.

I feel like I'm just being deceived.

I startled when I heard a sound coming from behind me. Napalingon ako at tinignan ang mga cubicles ng girl's bathroom of our school. I checked every cubicle. They were open and empty. I stopped when I reached the last cubicle. I heard soft whimpers inside. Lumpait ako at pinakinggan kung may tao nga ba sa loob. I heard someone crying inside. I got scared at first because I thought I'm hearing things. I thought our school is haunted. Kanina kasi ay ako lang ang nandito sa CR. Wala akong naramdaman na may pumasok. 

I don't know if I should knock or not. I might disturb the person inside. Maybe she wants to be alone. I don't know why she's crying in the first place. I was about to leave the comfort room when the guilt inside my heart strike again. I sighed and slowly turned back and faced the cubicle.

Lumapit ako at mahinang kumatok. "Hello?"

She suddenly stopped crying. Tinapat ko ulit ang tainga ko sa cubicle at naging tahimik na sa loob. "Are you okay? Do you need help? Are you on your period?"

"Tori?" 

I somehow recognized the voice but I'm still not sure. "It's me Victoria. Uhm, I don't know how you knew my name but-" I paused. "Okay ka lamg?"

Hindi siya sumagot. I stayed behind the door, waiting for her response.

"Tori.." she softly called

My lips parted. "Andi? Is that you?"

"Yeah," she sniffed

I swallowed hard. "Are you okay? I heard you crying. May problema ba?"

"No. I'm fine. It's just...my period and," she paused

"Do you need any help?"

She softly whimpered. "N-no," her voice broke

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mag-alala sa kanya. "Hey, Andi. It's okay. I'm here. What's wrong? You can tell me. Hmm?" I calmly said

"I don't k-know what to do," she cried

"Why? Can you let me inside?"

"Ayoko. I don't want anyone to see me."

"It's okay. Ako lang ang nandito sa CR. It's just you and me," I tried to calm her down too

"Tayo l-lang?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I know we're not that close but, I'm just worried. You can talk to me."

"I don't know if I can trust you.."

Something about her words made my heart ache. Still, I remained by her side regardless.

"I know I'm not the best person to trust. Probably not the kindest person you've ever met but I can assure you that this is just between the two of us," I swallowed hard

There was a long moment of silence. I then heard a click on the door. Dahan-dahan ko iyong binuksan. Tumambad sa harap ko si Andi. She's sitting on the toilet bowl, crying. Tinakpan niya ang mukha niya gamit ang palad niya. Agad ko siyang nilapitan at lumuhod sa harapan niya.