SHANNON
My heart felt like it was going to burst, nakakabingi sa tenga ang bawat tibok nito. Hindi ako makahinga, naninikip ang aking dibdib and everything around me seemed dizzying. Nanlalambot ang aking mga tuhod habang nakatingin pa rin sa imaheng nasa harap ko.
Regret consumed me as I realized I shouldn't have come to this event, ignoring my instincts that warned me about something ominous after meeting Luca. Huli na para magsisi ang tanging hiling ko na lamang ay makalabas sa impyernong ito.
I desperately searched for Frey in the crowd, but she was nowhere to be found. Nag-uumpisa nang maglandas ang mga luha sa aking mukha. My senses were on overload, making every sensation feel overwhelming. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, in a desperate attempt to find solace, I found myself sitting in a corner of the exhibit, covering my ears to block out the deafening noise. I didn't care if people found me strange; I was simply trying to process what was happening.
Why? What did Luca want from me? After all these years, she barged back into my life as if nothing had happened between us. Anlakas ng loob niyang bumalik na para bang wala siyang taong sinaktan at sinira.
'Accept the fact that she will always be there for you'
'Just as you wished before'
As I felt myself becoming lifeless, a faint voice called out my name, pulling me back to reality. It was Frey, standing in front of me with a worried expression, desperately trying to bring me back.
"Shannon! Shannon!" she called out. Lumuhod ito at hinawakan ang dalawa kong balikat habang niyuyugyog.
"F-frey," nanghihinang usal ko, I barely even utter her name and stammer upon, my mouth feeling heavy and reluctant to speak. Wala akong balak na sabihin kay Frey kung ano man ang nakita ko. I knew Frey's personality well enough to predict that she would go berserk and potentially make matters worse.
Frey takes a deep breath and sat down next to me, nag-aalala itong tumingin sa akin. She gently places her hand on my back, trying to provide some comfort. I felt relieved.
"Shannon, please, you need to tell me what's going on," Frey says softly, her voice filled with worry. "I can see that something is seriously wrong. You can trust me, you know that, right?"
I glance at Frey, conflicted. Part of me wants to confide in her, to share the overwhelming fear and confusion that has consumed me since Luca reappeared. But the other part of me, the self-protective part, is afraid of the consequences, afraid of
burdening Frey with my troubles.
Kahit kailan sa tuwing nangyayari ito ay lagi siyang nasa tabi ko, hindi ko gusto na nakikita niya ako sa ganitong sitwasyon, It hurts my pride and a part of me feels like useless, wala na akong magandang inambag sa relasyon naming magkaibigan kung hindi abalahin siya ng mga problema ko sa buhay.
Tears well up in my eyes, and I struggle to find the right words. Umiling lang ako at nakita ko naman na naiintindihan niya ako. Again it broke me, Frey was the always understanding and patient person I ever met but this is no time for self pity. After a moment of internal struggle, I finally manage to speak,
"Lets go, I want to go home"
As I finally found the strength to stand up, habang inaalalayan ako ni Frey ay nahagip ng aking mga mata ang pamilyar na mukha. It was Luca, her gaze fixed upon Frey's hand resting on my waist, trying to offer support. Luca appeared visibly upset, and her eyes bore into us.
