FORTY-SIXTH
Gunshots.
Blood.
Tears.
Everything is black and XZ could only see him.
She couldn’t speak. She could feel her throat hurting from shouting so loud but no sound is coming out of her.
“Nereo!” she shouted at the top of her lungs but he didn’t hear her and he kept moving away from her.
She ran as fast as she could but she couldn’t go near him. No matter how fast she tries to run, there’s a certain distance between him and where she is.
“Nereo...”
Pagod na siya. Pagod na siyang maghabol sa gitna ng kadiliman pero hindi niya magawang tumigil dahil natatakot siya.
Natatakot siyang isipin ni Nereo na pinakawalan na niya ito. Natatakot siya na baka kapag tumigil siya sa paghabol dito ay tuluyan na itong mawala sa kaniya. Natatakot siya na hindi na niya ito muling makita.
“XZ.”
Takot na napalingon si XZ sa tumawag sa kaniya. Kilala niya ang boses na iyon at paglingon niya rito ay nanigas na siya sa kinatatayuan niya.
“M-Mom...” lumuluhang ani XZ sa harap ni Monique na may hawak na baril, nakatutok ito sa ulo niya.
“You were my baby, XZ... why did you leave me? Tell me, why did you go with them? They took you away from me, my baby,” pabilis nang pabilis ang mga tanong ni Monique, padiin din nang padiin ang baril sa ulo ni XZ, at palapit nang palapit ang mukha niya sa dalaga.
“Why did you leave me? Why, XZ, why? Why did you let them take you away from me? Why, XZ, why?? WHY?? WHY?? WHY??? WHY??!!!” And then she shot herself in the mouth right in front of XZ’s face. XZ stared at her lifeless, empty eyes staring straight at her. She could feel the blood on her face.
She’s scared. She can’t move. She can’t get her dead face out of her mind.
“XZ.”
“XZ.”
“XZ.”
“XZ.”
“Era!”
Napabugha nang malalim na hininga si XZ pagkabangon niya. Para bang kaaahon lang niya mula sa pagkakalunod. Nang makita niya si Celine ay nakahinga siya nang maluwang at naiyak na lang. Hindi niya napigilan ang sunud-sunod na bugso ng kaniyang damdamin.
“It’s okay, sweetie. Everything’s okay, you’re safe. You’re safe with us. You’re home, Era. You’re home,” ani Celine habang yakap-yakap ang anak, hinihimas niya ang likod nito para pakalmahin ito.
Nakaugalian na ni Celine silipin si XZ tuwing gabi bago matulog at tuwing umaga pagkagising niya upang bumawi sa mga taong hindi niya ito nakita at nakasama. Dahil din lagi niya itong patagong pinupuntahan ay nakikita niyang madalas ay basa pa sa luha ang mga pisngi nito habang natutulog sa gabi at kapag gumigising naman ito ay binabangungot ito.
“Everything’s okay, Era. Everything’s fine,” malumanay na sambit ni Celine habang marahang hinihimas ang likod ng anak.
Nang kumalma na si XZ ay bumitaw na rin si Celine sa kaniya kaya nagulat ito nang bigla niya itong yakapin ulit nang mahigpit. Her mother is right. She’s home now. She just wanted to feel her warmth before she proceeds with her day. Especially today because it’s a big day.
BINABASA MO ANG
Lost Stars
Novela Juvenil[SMUG Series #1] XZ Martinez is a smart young woman. She was born to a rich and famous family but she doesn't seem to like it. Unlike her older brother, Valentine, XZ is and will never be used to the attention people are giving her but she guesses t...
