Uggo

Prologue

The nail polish bottle I had been clenching hurt my palm. I didn't realize I was holding it tightly. My palm stung when I released the small bottle of nail polish. My thoughts flew back to the television I'd watching  two hours ago now. The new season of Pretty Little Liars helped me to occupied my time.

When I was done polishing my nails on my feet, I twisted it to close. Nakaramdam din ako ng gutom nang matapos ako sa pagkukulay ng kuko. May natira pang pagkain kaninang umaga. Dinala ko yun sa porch at doon ako kumain.

The fresh air welcomed me. This was my life from now on, the life I chose from the start and the life that I'd dreaming for.

Ever since I graduated from college, nag-ipon ako para lang magkaroon ng tahimik na buhay, makaiwas sa magulong buhay sa syudad at mamuhay ng mag-isa.

I was living alone for decades now. My parents were never supported me so the only thing I did was to be on my own—after all, they're all gone.

I chose this path to find myself. To be with myself only. To grow and grow more. I invested a lot of time and efforts to be in this paradise. I didn't worry about money because I have that now. It's enough for me saka mag-isa lang naman ako. Wala pa akong binubuhay na anak at wala ding asawa.

I drank my mango flavored juice. Napapikit ako dahil sa sarap, tamis at lamig nito. The summer would end soon. Tatahimik na ulit ang buong lugar, then I'm going to have this place again... for myself only.

Pero okay lang dahil nasa taas ng burol ang beach house na binili ko. Sa may hindi kalayuan nito ay may ilog at lake na pribado. Minsan na akong nagpunta doon pero never akong naligo dahil pribado. I only bought three acres of land here. Tama lang na may matirhan ako.

Sa baba ng hindi kataasang burol ay may ilang beach houses. But it's ten meters away from my own space. Pero minsan lang magkatao sa mga beach house kung summer lang. Then after that season, wala na. Tahimik na ulit ang beach.

When the sun finally hid on the horizon, I took out my black two-piece from my closet and wore it. Hindi na matao sa labas at tahimik na rin. Kahapon lang ay umalis ang isang buong pamilya sa isang beach house dahil magsisimula na ang pasukan sa eskwela. Ganun din sa mga nag-oopisa. So technically, the whole Sacramento beach was all mine.

This place was called Sacramento because there were a lot of mystery happened in this place. I didn't know that. For almost five years of living here in Puerto Prinsesa wala pa naman akong nasasaksikan na ganun. Siguro ay ganun talaga kapag hindi naniniwala sa mga kwentong-bayan. This was a private place dahil hindi rin ito open sa mga turista. This place was just for those who wanted privacy... gaya ko.

I hang my black robe on my arm. Hindi ako gumagamit ng white robes or towels dahil hindi madaling matanggal ang dumi sa tela. Kaya karamihan sa mga gamit ko ay hindi puti. Bumaba ako mula sa burol. Hindi gaanong mataas ang burol. Nasa may trenta na andana lang yata.

I didn't wear my slippers dahil hindi ko naman yun kailangan. My eyes wandered around. I didn't see any suspicious lurking in the dark. I only brought my swiss knife just in case of self defense.

Pumunta ako sa mabatong lugar. Habang naglalakad ay binilang ko kung iilan ang beach house na narito. Tatlo lang pala dito sa baba at doon sa left ay dalawa lang. Puro wala ng tao. Last week marami pang tao dito.

Hindi lang naman ako ang mag-isang nasa burol. There's actually one beach  house na minsan ay hindi ko pa nakikitang nagkatao. Pero medyo malayo yun sa bahay ko dahil ilang lakad pa ang gagawin bago marating yun.

Nakarating ako sa batuhan kung saan malaya akong gawin ang gusto ko. Up from the rocky part of the beach, I glanced at the lonely house from that cliff. The cliff was too strong at minsan gumuho yung lupa.