A Thousand Wounds

His Wound [Part 1]

His Wound [Part 1]

They say that quiet people have the loudest minds. Well, it's true. I may be quiet, but I have so much on my mind.. especially when observing this little girl beside me crying her eyes out.

"Bakit mo naman ako iniwan?" she started with her dramatic monologue.

She seemed invested with her thoughts that she did not notice me.

I cleared my throat a couple of times to catch her attention, but it did not work.

"Why are you crying?" I voiced out, and finally, she faced me.

Gulong-gulo ang kaniyang mahabang buhok habang namumula naman ang kaniyang mga mata. Napangiwi ako nang mapagmasdan ang mga luha sa kaniyang pisngi. Pati uhog ata, nalabas niya na rin.

"M-my d-dog di-died," utal-utal na saad nito.

I don't know how to comfort her. "Condolence," is what I could say.

Napatingin ako sa inosente niyang mga mata nang humarap ito. "T-Thanks.. Kakie will be happy, right?"

"Uhh.. Yeah?" patanong kong sagot. I smirked when I heard her dog's name. "What's his name?"

She fired her sharp gaze at me. "It's a she, mister.. and her name is Kakie.."

Napatawa ako. "Cocky? As in coc— " I stopped immediately.

Oh shit! She's an elementary student, for Pete's sake.

"Yeah.. Kakie.."

Napakurap-kurap ako. Before I could even say something, may tumawag na sa kaniya.

"Maribelle!"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. A middle-aged woman stood, which maybe is her mother.

Nanatili ang tingin ko kay Maribelle hanggang sa makaalis ito. I felt a nudge on my shoulder, and when I faced the culprit, it was my little brother Joash.

"Sino tinitingnan mo, Kuya?"

Umiling lamang ako at tumayo na mula sa bench. "Let's go home.."

I thought that would be my last encounter with that weird girl, naming her dog 'Cocky', but I was wrong.

"Magandang hapon sa ating lahat. Ako si Maribelle Zoraida Pacheco.."

Napako sa kaniya ang aking mga mata.

"At ako naman si Lester Jay Miguel.."

Hindi ko na pinansin ang kaniyang katabi. I aimed the DSLR I am holding to her and captured her bright smile.

"Ang pinakamagandang mutya.."

Pinakamaganda nga.. Napangisi ako. She grew up well.

"..at pinakamakisig na ginoo.."

Hindi nakalagpas sa aking paningin ang pagpasada ng lalaki sa bandang dibdib ni Maribelle. The v-neck shirt fits her perfectly that the boy beside him can't help but gawk.

Inis lamang akong napailing. Ang gago lang..

"..na kumakatawan sa ikapitong baitang," they both exclaimed in chorus.

Grade seven.. Napakagat-labi ako.

Maribelle Zoraida Pacheco won the crown. As boys and girls flocked over her, I was from afar, staring at her.

"Iba tumitig ah.." napaalis sa bagong reyna ang aking tingin dahil sa panunudyo ni Michael.

I did not say anything and just faced him with furrowed brows.