INVETERATE: Shattered Fate

Shattered #1: The Begining

Jury's POV:

My parents once told me what life looks like if we get older, it could be chaotic, happy, or even miserable.

But one thing that I couldn't forget from what they've told me? Every person you meet has a reason why both of your fate met. They told me that whatever happens in the end, we should be thankful that we met them... And left with a life lesson.

-----

I smiled before putting my phone on top of my study table while there's a towel around my neck, I still haven't gotten to shower. I know Nathan will be super pissed if he sees me still not in my uniform.

Today is a typical day for a University student to get ready first thing in the morning. I never got to buy an apartment near our school for myself so I wouldn't be driving kilometers away to the uni, may bahay naman kami; I can just live here 'til I want, right?

Plus... If I ever leave, obviously, my jerky brother will be sad to be alone inside this cozy little house.

"Jury?"

Napatingin ako sa may pintuan nang biglang bumukas ang pinto, napahinto ako sa paglalakad patungo sa banyo.

I saw my brother peeking through the door while brushing his teeth and his necktie still untied. He was frowning while almost brushing his lips too.

"I'll leave the key of the house to you today, baka bukas na ako makauwi, I'm meeting a client."

Nagkunot ang noo ko dahil wala akong naintindihan sa mga sinabi niya, when he noticed that I couldn't understand him because he was talking while brushing his teeth, he groaned and rolled his eyes.

Huminto muna siya sa pagsisipilyo at muling nagsalita, "The key of the house, sayo ko muna ibibigay. I won't be home until tomorrow, I'm meeting a client."

Dahan-dahan akong tumango habang nakatitig sakanya, my gaze, then, went down on the floor. Tiningnan ko ulit siya.

"The floor -"

"Yeah, got it." Aniya bago nilagay ang palad niya sa may baba niya para saluhin ang bula mula sa toothpaste.

I eventually frowned when something went inside my head, tiningnan ko ulit siya bago nagsalita.

"But... meeting a client won't last for a day -"

Napahinga nalang ako nang malalim na umalis agad siya, maybe trying to avoid my question.

I tsked, he should've told me that he'll go on a date. Lying straight out to his younger brother's face, what a wimp.

I just walk towards the bathroom to take a bath before my friends could even smack my head if I ever get there late, habang nasa ilalim ako ng shower ay napapikit ako nang may maalala ako, the incident that happened nearly 1 week ago. The party.

That guy...

I sighed heavily before opening my eyes again, that night is still in my head.

Is it haunting me? No. But is it living rent-free inside my head? Well... Yes.

Because after that night...

Oh boy.

---

I'm standing silently as the crowd went double inside the house, the music blasting around doubled up too. It's a busy night indeed but my eyes was just looking at someone familiar, someone that reminds me of someone.

I was brought back to reality when I heard something, nang makarinig ako ng nag-aaway sa likuran ko ay agad na nagkagulo ang mga tao. They started squishing each other to see what's happening. Hanggang sa natulak ako papunta sa likuran dahil humahawan ang mga tao sa gitna, there's two guys having a tension between each other in the middle.