Solace Escape

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14 (Revised First Version with Major Revisions)

Another tiring day for me. My soles are kinda aching for the nonstop dance practice I did for next week's event but it is worth it.

Dancing has always been so worth it. Kahit maingay, magulo at nakakapagod ang mundo kung nasaan ako, ang pagsasayaw ang naging karamay ko roon. Dancing became my peace—it was my safe haven.

Carrying my shoes and a bag is on my shoulders while I make my way out of dance studio to go home.

"Magandang gabi po, Ma'am Sibyl," the guards greeted and I stopped on my tracks to look at them.

"Good evening," pormal kong sabi, may kaakibat pang maliit na labi sa ngiti.

"Ginabi kayo sa practice, Ma'am, ah? May sundo na po ba kayo?" the guard asked and I shook my head.

"They're busy," I answered, "I'm just gonna commute."

"Sige po, hatid na kita, Ma'am?" he offered and I nodded and smiled.

Kuya was kind enough and helped me with my things, sinamahan pa niya ako sa may antayan ng cab para sa pag-uwi ko sana pero habang nag-aantay kami ay may tumawag sa akin.

I shifted my head, my lips lifting for a smile when I saw my friend, Wyatt.

"Going home?" he asked the moment he parked in front of me, bumaba siya ng sasakyan pa para salubungin ako kaya nangiti ako at nang inilahad niya ang braso ay yumakap din ako.

"Yeah, but you see, wala akong sundo," tawa ko kaya ngumisi siya at umiling sabay sulyap sa guard na nanunuod sa aming dalawa.

"Salamat po sa paghatid ditong kay Sibyl, Kuya, ako na bahala maghatid." He said and the guard glanced at me, his eyes are asking kaya tumango ako.

"Sige po, sasabay na lang ako pauwi sa kanya. Salamat, Kuya." Tango ko sa kanya at nakangiting inabot niya rin sa akin ang gamit ko.

"Ingat, Ma'am," he said, sabay baling kay Wyatt. "Sir, pakiingat si Ma'am, ah? Naku't talagang babaligtad sa galit si Zeijan kapag nasugatan iyang anak niya."

I felt Wyatt glancing at me, his stares felt like it's gaze through me kaya tumikhim ako.

"Si Kuya talaga..." tawag ko sa pansin ng guard, "sige, Kuya. Uuna na kami, ah?"

"Sige, Ma'am, ingat!" sumaludo pa siya at kaagad na kinuha ng kaibigan ang mga gamit ko at ipinasok sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan. He even opened the car door for me like a gentleman and it made me smile.

He's always caring.

I've known Wyatt for years now. He's my classmate in the last year in college and we became friends since then. He cared for me, he treated me like a friend—not just a daughter of a celebrity.

People on my college only wanted to be close to me because I am Alyx Sandejas' daughter and nothing else. They'd use me as a trophy friend pero kapag struggling ako sa steps, wala sila para tumulong at nagkakanya-kanyang grupo.

I wasn't fond of physical affection, I wasn't fond of having large circle of friends because I find it better when it's quiet and peaceful. I couldn't say I am independent because I'm not. Nakadepende pa rin ako sa parents ko, sa pamilya namin. Sa bestfriend kong si Adi, kay Wyatt.

He's the only person who showed me I could have friends like a normal person and I am grateful at that.

Nawala ang utak ko sa kwentuhan naming dalawa nang mapansing tinatahak na namin ang pamilyar na daan at maya-maya'y nasa tapat na kami ng village.