Ghosting Madness

Chapter 25

25: What Really Matters
"Once upon a wishing star,
we dwell and cried
in the embrace of our scars."

The moment I took a glimpse of her shadow casting on the roadside, I immediately stood up from the swing chair and approached her slowly, rubbing my hands against each other. With chills running down my spine and the pumping beat of my heart, I mustered up the courage to go back to their neighborhood and wait for her in the children's park near the entrance gate.

"D-Dae..." I almost choked myself. Sa sobrang kaba na baka maulit na naman ang pang-i-ignore niya sa'kin, halos hindi ko magawang mabanggit ang pangalan niya.

"...let me in." I thought to myself.

However, her senses seemed to be shut down. She continued to maneuver towards their street as if I wasn't there, as if she didn't see nor hear me...as if I was a bothersome ghost who needed saving.

Sudden pissing heat rushed to my head. I was stunned and annoyed by how difficult she is. I know I am at fault, and that I am not in the position to proceed with these heavy feelings towards her...but it's too much now. She's too much.

"Daela Lyn Mendez!"

"Please, just listen."

"Bhie, ano ba! Garo ka kasta!"

Nauubusan na ako ng salita habang patuloy kaming naghahabulan. Hindi naman kami tumatakbo pero sa bawat segundong lumilipas, palayo siya nang palayo sa'kin at hindi naabot ng mga pakiusap ko ang puso niya.

Natatakot ako. Ayoko nang maramdaman 'to.

"Daela, please!" sigaw ko nang makuha ko ang braso niya. Nagpumiglas siya. Pero patuloy siyang naglakad at nahila ako sa direksiyong tinatahak niya dahil do'n. Ano'ng oras na at kinakabahan na rin ako sa ginagawa ko. Baka nakakabulabog na ako.

I felt feverish for staying up until nine in the evening, cheering myself up for almost five hours not to lose patience and not to go home because of the dark. I haven't eaten a thing nor drank any drop of water. I just couldn't do so. Simula nang araw na makausap ko si Dean, tumatak sa isip ko ang mga salitang huling sinabi niya na nagbigay sa'kin ng ideya sa sunod kong gagawin.

"...it's your story to unfold."

If she won't let me reach her, then I will rather force myself in than wait for the 'perfect time' to arrive before it's too late. Pakiramdam ko kasi hindi 'yon darating hangga't hindi ako patuloy na kikilos.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" I asked her as soon as I realized I am getting dragged somewhere despite the fact that I was the one holding her hand, and not the other way around. Her arm's not struggling from my grasp but her lips remained sealed. We were walking steadfast like preys escaping from their swift predator.

Is this the sign?

Napatigil kami paglalakad. I looked around and found ourselves in an old house, lit by street lamps. It was abandoned, far away from most of the houses in their area. She brought us here: a secret place perfect for a heated confrontation between two young adults.

"Daela..." Regardless of the heavy feeling, I felt happy that this day is getting somewhere. Hopefully by now, I'll be able to correct my mistakes and clear the misunderstandings.

When she finally turned around and met my gaze, I realized that I couldn't recognize her anymore. The old Daela I adored is lost. Her eyes are dragging, surrounded by thick bags under it. Pumayat siya nang kaunti. And her lips...it was dry and dehydrated.

She smiled. But as soon as it faded into a thin grin, I was worried and kinda scared. "Huwag kang umilag," she said out of a blue while looking straight at my eyes.