TGIWS: Phoenix Ryler Velasquez's POV (Completed)

Part 1

Part 1

Some people had their own traumas and broken past, well I had to. I had a lot of trauma when my parents died. When they died, I had to take all the responsibilities, from my siblings and to my Dad’s properties.

I am just a thirteen, but I had to fucking face those hardships. I had to face reality na ako lang talaga ang gagawa sa lahat.  I will never forget the time when they died. Until now, I still don’t know who exactly did this to them. I want to know who’s behind their death.

Minsan iniisip ko kung bakit kailangan nila mawala nang maaga. Mabait at palagi nila kaming iniisip. I wonder why? Bakit hindi nalang ‘yong mga masama ang kinukuha? Bakit pa sila na walang ibang ginawa kundi ang mahalin ako—kami ng mga kapatid ko? When they left, it felt like... I lost everything. 

“Are you guys done?” Daddy showed up.

“We are done,” sagot ni Mommy at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

Bumaba na kami. Sumakay agad ako sa back seat. Sumunod naman sila Mommy at Daddy.

“Nix, greet the birthday celebrant,” paalala ni Daddy.

“Okay, I will.” I nodded.

We arrived at the party. Marami ang sasakyan na nakaparada sa labas ng mansion kaya nahirapan si Daddy na mag-park. Una akong bumaba dahil sa bored. Pumasok kami sa loob at birthday nga pero bakit pang-babae? Six birthday pala ‘to.

“Hey, Dylan. Happy birthday to your daughter,” sabi ni Dad.

“Thank you...” the man smiled. “My daughter is there.”

Pasimple akong tumingin sa tinuro niya, may babaeng nakaupo sa harap. I think. . . she’s the birthday celebrant. I looked away when she looked in my direction.

“Greet her,” utos ni Mommy.

“Mommy, nakakahiya...” I bit my bottom lip. I can still feel her eyes in my direction.

“Nakakahiya saan?” tanong ni Mommy.

“Basta... nakakahiya. She’s looking at me... Mommy.”

Mommy laughed and looked at the girl. “Happy birthday.” I saw my Mommy mouthed. Pasimple ulit akong tumingin sa babae. Ngumiti siya kay Mommy pero binalik niya ang tingin sa akin kaya iniwas ko ang tingin ko.

I looked at the girl again. She’s now watching the magician.

Pumunta na lang muna ako sa mga sweets para kumain. May crinkles pa doon at six pieces nalang. Halos kabahan ako nang maramdaman ko ang batang babae kanina sa gilid ko. I can feel her staring at me.

“What are you looking at?” Halata namang nagulat siya sa pag-susungit ko.

“Uh... I want that...” she pointed at the crinkles.

“This one?” Tinaas ko ang crinkles.

She nodded. “Y-Yeah... but it’s yours now. I’ll get the brownies.”

“No, it’s yours now.” Akin ‘yan, e! Pero sa ‘yo nalang! “I don’t like crinkles.” Syempre, gusto ko ‘yon, kukuha ba ako kung ayaw ko?

“Thanks,” she said then left.

What?! I’ll greet you with a happy birthday!

Sinundan ko na siya ng tingin bago lumapit kay Mommy. She’s smiling at me.

“I don’t like your smiles, ‘Ma,” sabi ko.

“Wala naman akong sinasabi.” She laughed. “Her name was Michelle.”