Run Away, Vienos

<V>

5
Trigger warning: self-harm, suicide, violence

"Patrice! Answer the phone!" I whispered while pacing back and forth with my phone placed on my ear. "Patrice! I need your help!" I said as soon as she answered it. "Patrice, please help our family. 'Di ba lawyer si Tito? Please, convince him to help my fam---"

"Masyado nang malakas ang ebidensya, Roxy," she said. "Hindi na niya magagawang tanggapin 'yan, pati sa social media ay kalat na kalat na ang mga ebidensya dahil sa mga posts ni Ate Krislyn."

"Patrice---please, I am begging you---"

"No, Roxanne!" sigaw niya sa telepono which made my shoulders jerk upwards. "After all, you deserved to be in that position, lahat na lamang inagaw mo sa akin!" My eyes widened as my lips parted in astonishment.

What did she just say?

"You have everything I want; you have the freedom, you have the good parents, you have the money, you have the talents, the looks, the intelligence, you have everything!" she ranted. "Samantalang ako, hindi ko maaabot 'tong mga bagay na 'to para kahit paano mapantayan kita kung walang manipulation na nagaganap. I love you, Roxy, pero kahit anong mangyari, hindi kita mapapatawad dahil doon!" I could hear her sobs on the other line. My tears streamed down my face as well. Hearing those words from my best friend makes me emotional too. I hope she cleared things out as early as possible so that we won't go this far.

"How can you hate me for the things I worked out so hard to have, Patrice?" I asked while wiping my tears. "Patrice, just like you, I wished to have these all when I was younger. I dreamt a lot before so I worked hard. When we were in grade 12, I knew what you did but I kept my mouth shut because I know how pressured you are with your studies so I gave way.

"But it still hurts me... Being not in the valedictory spot. It hurts me that I couldn't get the grades I expected. It hurts me not wearing a toga on our graduation day. It hurts me that I wasn't able to wear the gown I got excited about in our play.

"So please, forgive me, Patrice. I love you, and I will always understand your situation no matter what.

"I will clear all things out... I will get rid of all the manipulating evidence they made just to frame us up. I am sure where it will take me, Patrice. So please, take care of my family when I am gone."

As soon as the call dropped, I bursted into tears. Parang lahat na lamang sinasaktan ako ngayon.

"Oh, God, forgive them all for they don't know what they are doing," I whispered as I closed my eyes.

"Kuya Sanjie, please help me, Kuya. You know the truth, alam mong walang katiwaliang ginagawa si Dad. So please, talk to Ate Krislyn. Tell her to delete all of those manipulations. Walang ginawang masama ang pamilya ko."

"Sshh, Roxanne, calm down," Kuya Sanjie said as he tapped my back. Kinuha niya rin ang sling bag ko sa lamesa, he took my handkerchief and wiped my tears. "Alam ba ni Terrence na narito ka?" he asked. I sniffed and shook my head.

"I don't want to be a burden to him anymore." I pulled my own hair as I leaned my head on my knees. "Kuya, why do I have to experience this all? We're all right, aren't we? Bakit kailangang dumating 'tong lahat sa akin?"

"Challenges were inevitable, Roxanne." He slid my handkerchief back on my bag. "You cannot dodge it."

"What is she doing here?" Agad akong napatayo nang marinig ang boses ni Ate Krislyn, masama ang tingin sa akin. "Seryoso ka, Sanjie? Nagpapasok ka ng corrupt sa bahay natin? Paano na lamang kung madamay tayo?"