The Curse

Comfort Zone

I raised my head hurriedly. My eyebrows automatically met. My forehead curls into a frown. Where can I met this man? I am sure he is not the mysterious man whom save me.

I heard the man laughed heartily.

"Why are you laughing?", I asked him slightly confused. Why would he laugh? Is there something on my face? Or he saw something funny?

"Nothing hahahaha, anyways you totally forgot about me? My ego is hurting right now", he said in a little tone. I felt a disappointment on his tone.

"No no no. I am sorry. I-- I am just not quite sure where I got to meet you", I said. I felt slightly guilty.

He  clap, "Okay! I will help you to remember", he laughed. "Even it hurts my ego right now. With my face, no one should not forget me", he said boastfully.

I grimaced on my thought. Ngayon lang ako nakasalamuha ng ganitong kahangin.

"I saw that, huh? You don't believe me?", he muttered. I heard a creak. He probably stands up.

"As far as you know, I am blind mister. It is not that I don't believe you but it is solely because I can't judge your face that I cannot see", I answered calmly and end with a smile.

"Oh! Well... I do not mean to offend you on that part", I nodded, completely understanding what he was saying. I know he didn't intend to offend me.

"Anyways, let me help you remember", he added.

I heard a footsteps going near me alongside a screech coming from a wood scratching the floor.

A loud static noise go over on my ears as I heard those. "What are you doing?!", I asked panickedly. My head was spinning and throbbing because of the noise. Flashes of people going after me on that wood. Those perpetrators who tried to captured me and sold me out creeps on my mind. Again. Is he one of those bad guys who captured me? No. He should not go near me. "Go away!", I silently shouted.

Ako lang at si Grandma Cynthia ang nasa bahay at ngayon ay nandoon siya sa kusina. Naririnig ko pa ang pag agas ng tubig at pagbangga ng mga kubyertos. Ayaw kong madamay siya kung sakali.

I closed my eyes tightly. "Please, just go away", I begged.

"Why are you---no! it does not what you think it is, pink-eyed girl. I am just dragging the chair to sit besides you", the man explained.

I do not hear anything. I am afraid.

"Hey, pink eyed girl. Are you okay?" A pair of hands suddenly felt on my shoulders. I jolted back out of fear and nervousness.

I cried and cried. I wanted to shout but I can't. I do not want to drag another person in trouble because of me. I don't want anybody to be hurt just because... of me.

"Hey!"

A strong shake in my body wakes me up. A warm hands spread onto my both cheeks. I realize what I am doing. My tears are continuously falling making strands of hair glued on my forehead and cheeks. My hands are trembling. I am breathing harsh and fast.

My knees are wobbling that makes me fall down. A pair of thick, warm hands hold my waist to guide me to down on the floor.

"Anong ingay iyon? Ano ito?! Apo! Okay kalang ba?", Grandma's voice surrounds the place.

"Is it all my fault, Grandma Cynthia. Hindi ko po sinasadya at parang natakot ko po si Chantea kanina at ganito ang nangyari. Paumanhin po", pagpapaliwanag ng lalaki.

"Ako na pong bahala ayusin ang mga kalat. Kung maaari po sana ay makahingi ng tubig para kay Chantea", dagdag ng lalaki.

"Ay, oo. Sandali lang at kukuha muna ako ng tubig", sagot ni Grandma at pumanhik na.