BEAST in ME

PART 20

JIA POV

The place is heaven during the day, indeed beautiful is an under statement. But when the night comes, it was totally different. The ambience of the whole place was not pleasing to me anymore. I felt like something mysterious about the place that I cannot comprehend.

I just don't know, when darkness took over the whole place, I suddenly felt something I cannot explain. My body felt some tension all over me, and I don't even know the reason why.

There are times when my body just shivers and I don't know why. When that happens, I felt like it was a warning for something bad that might happen. I always tried my best on just ignoring it. Most of the time, I fail. I don't feel good.

LY: "Okay ka lang Ji?"

I felt someone tapped my shoulder, so I turned towards her. It was Ly but still, I felt like, I lost all my strength.

JIA: "Yeah. I'm okay."

I lied to her. I don't want to give her any reasons to be worried about me or for the team to be worried. Especially with something I can't even explain myself. What can I say to them? They might think I am some kind of crazy or what.

LY: "Kanina ka pa kasi tahimik diyan at tulala eh. May problema ba?"

She looks worried, I can see and feel it. She sits beside me.

JIA: "Don't worry, I am fine."

I wasn't sure if I am convincing her or convincing myself with my remarks.

ELLA: "Anong problema Ji? Kanina pa namin napapansin ang pananahimik mo. Magsabi ka na?"

I didn't even realize that I was so quiet and they have been observing me for awhile. I guess there is no point in lying to them right now. They know me very well.

JIA: "I don't know. I just feel so weird today. I don't know how to explain it."

I finally admitted to them. But I cannot really put into words what I truly feel.

ELLA: "Sige Ji, ipagpatuloy mo na lang pala ang katahimikan mo. Nose bleed English mo eh. Hahahaha."

I smiled at her remarks while Ly was just shaking her head.

LY: "Ano ba kasi yang nararamdaman mo Ji? Paliwanag mo, we will try to understand."

JIA: "Bigla na lang po akong kinabahan. Hindi ko po alam kung bakit. I just don't like the vibe of the night. Okay naman kanina nung may araw pa. Pero nung nagsimula ng magdilim, nag-iba na rin po ang pakiramdam ko."

ELLA: "Pwede naman nating hayaang nakabukas na lang muna ang ilaw habang natutulog tayo para naman maging comfortable ka."

LY: "Gusto mo bang, dito na rin matulog ang iba nating mga trammates para naman mas maging kampante ka at mawala yung kaba mo?"

JIA: "Huwag na po, nakakahiya sa kanila at aabalahin pa natin. Okay lang naman po ako. Kahit naman sa bahay ay ganito din ako minsan at wala namang masamang nangyayari. Maybe, still the trauma ay nandun pa din at hindi pa nawawala. Madalas kasi na bumabalik ang takot ko kapag ka madilim na ang paligid."

Just as I said that, we heard a noise coming from the outside. But then, it suddenly stops. We just ignore it.

ELLA: "Safe naman tayo dito sa bahay. Walang ibang makakapasok kung may magtatangka man. Isa pa may guard din naman ata na umiikot sa gabi."

She was right, we are safe and secured inside the house.

LY: "Huwag ka kasi masyado nag-iisip. Baka kasi nag ooverthink ka na naman. Andito kami, magkakasama tayo dito. Hindi ka namin pababayaan."