When the Light Fades Away (When The Series #1) | UNDER REVISION | ON HOLD

PROLOGUE

10 YEARS AGO

Mom and Dad always buy me toys and gifts, but they aren't the ones that give them to me. It makes me sad though I'm used to it, my only wish every Christmas is their presence but they don't come.

"Erion, it's time to open your present."

Only Nana Liang has been with me on every occasion since I was born. She became my mother, my guardian, and my best friend.

"Will they come, Nana?" I asked.

No matter how much I know that they won't, I'm still hoping because if there's life it is possible to happen. I walked towards Nana. She was on the side of a big present.

I wonder why it's big this time.

"Are you ready to open your present?" She's smiling ear to ear and all I can give is a small smile and light nod.

I slowly pulled the ribbon, and I stiffened when I saw what was inside. "Surprise!" It was Mom and Dad. They are here, with me. Right now. I can't believe this.

"Mom! Dad!" I yelled with tears flowing endlessly while I ran towards them. I hugged them so tight to show how much I missed them.

"Hush now, my boy. Big boys don't cry." Dad said as he messed up my hair.

"Don't listen to your father, it's okay to cry honey," Mom said while she gently kissed my cheek. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up anymore. I just want to stay in their arms forever and ever.

"Will you stay with me now? Gusto ko pong kasama kayong tatlo," I pleaded. Please stay with me. Don't leave me again, please.

"We will stay now, we'll be always here with you," Mom said then she pinched my cheeks. It hurts but it's proof that I'm not dreaming.

"Halika rito, Erion. Ride on my ba---ck," Dad struggled to finish his sentence and blood flowed from his mouth.

"Ion!" Mom exclaimed wildly. My feet are stuck on the ground. I can't move or talk. What's happening?

"Erion, go with Nana Liang," Mom said with authority in her tone. I tried to go to her, but she glared at me. I'm scared.

"Go! Now!" Her voice roared on the four corners of our living room. "Let's go, Erion." Nana Liang pulled me while I started to weep out loud.

"No! Dad is lying on the floor! Mom is in danger, we shouldn't leave her behind!" I did my best to break free from her grip, but I failed. Why did this happen? Who are they? Why they did this to my father?

"Dito ka lang, 'wag kang aalis. Hahanapin ko muna 'yong susi, 'pag sinabi kong takbo doon ka lang aalis. Understood?" I nodded shakily as a response. Ayoko ng ganito. I'm scared Mom. Please be okay, please. It's so dark in this place where Nana Liang left me, wala akong naririnig na ingay.

Is everything okay already?

Lumabas ako sa cabinet na pinagtaguan sa'kin ni Nana Liang, but I'm surprised by what I saw. Mom stabbed Nana Liang multiple times. She screamed "Traydor ka!" on every stab she makes. I can't process anything right now, is this a nightmare? Wake me up, please.

"Mom, why are you doing that to Nana?" I asked her fearfully. I'm afraid that she might attack me too.

"Bakit? Traydor siya! Dahil sa kaniya kaya pinatay ang tatay mo!" Her eyes were burning with hatred.

Mom, please calm down.

"Mom, I don't understand." I started crying again. I hate this feeling. I want to wake up.

"Just go, tumakbo ka nang mabilis at huwag kang hihinto." She's not like my gentle and loving Mom. Dad, please come back to Mom. Make her happy again.

"Ano pang hinihintay mo? Takbo!"

I'm startled by her shout that made my feet run. I don't know where to go because I'll be lost if I just run straight. Something urged me to look back while running and there I saw my mom, killing herself.

"Mom!!!"

Nightmares. Araw-araw mula nang mangyari iyon, hindi na ako tinigilan nito. Lalaki pa man din pero iyakin. Dad will be disappointed because of how weak I am right now. Huminga ako nang malalim at tumayo para magpahangin. Alas dos pa lang pala ng madaling araw at dalawang oras na tulog pa lang ang meron ako. Grabe ayos.

"Bitiwan mo ako!" Napalingon agad ako sa eskinitang madilim. I heard an angelic voice yet fierce. Lumakad ako para silipin kung anong meron. A girl with a cute face is with a douchebag, at masasabi kong hindi sila bagay. Hindi ako nagpakita at papanoorin ko muna kung ano ang gagawin nila.

"Pa-isa lang miss." Napakunot ang noo ko sa kaniyang sinabi. Lumapit ako para sana hamunin ng suntukan 'yong lalaki kaso may tumama sa likod ko.

Sinipa ako ni Miss Cute Face. Shit.

"Aray ko naman Miss Cute Face," nakangiti kong saad at kumindat sa kaniya. Habang nasa akin ang atensyon ni Miss Cute Face ay pa-simpleng tumakbo 'yong manyakis at sinubukan niya itong habulin.

"Bwisit! Epal kang letse ka," iritadong sabi niya sa'kin. Napatayo ako dahil sa bigla at humarap sa kaniya.

Ako pa letse ngayon.

"Ikaw na nga 'tong tinulungan, ikaw pa galit?" Pang-aasar ko sa kaniya at epektib naman. Nangunot ang noo niya at napanguso.

Yummy.

"Hayop ka! Isa ka pang manyakis. Doon ka, tabi!" Nagulat ako sa bigla niyang pagtulak sa'kin kaya naging dahilan iyon ng paghila ko sa kaniya.

Tsansing na sana kaso na-shoot siya sa basurahan habang sa sahig ako bumagsak.

"Bwisit talaga!" Pagdadabog niya at sinipa-sipa ang basurahan. Hindi ko napigilang humalakhak sa itsura niya.

May balat ng saging sa buhok, may bubblegum sa salamin, at may ipis sa pisngi.

"Shit! Ipis!" Nangisay siya sa kinalalagyan niya habang patuloy akong tumatawa.

"Natutuwa ka pa talaga! Tulungan mo ako rito," masungit na utos niya sa'kin.

"Ayoko nga, ang baho-baho mo," nakatawang tugon ko.

Tinignan ko siya at nakita kong sobrang sama ng tingin niya sa akin kaya nilapitan ko na siya. Pagkababa ko sa kaniya ay bigla niya akong inapakan at sinipa ang junjun ko sabay kumaripas ng takbo. Napaluhod ako dahil hindi ko kinaya sa sobrang sakit.

Kawawa mga itlog ko, hays.

"Hoy, bumalik ka rito!" sigaw ko sa kaniya.

Nilingon niya ako habang nakadila at sumigaw pabalik. "Manigas ka d'yan!" Tumakbo siya ulit palayo habang tumatawa.

Na-karma agad ako, hays talaga.

"Humanda ka sa'kin 'pag nakita kita ulit!" Banta ko sa kaniya pero tinaasan niya lang ako ng middle finger.

Yari ka talaga sa'kin Miss Cute Face kapag nakita kita ulit.