Midnight Killer (A Short Novel) COMPLETED

THIRD SHOCK

***

10 years later...

I was abruptly awakened by the incessant ringing of the telephone. With a groan, I pushed myself up, raking my fingers through my messy hair and squinting against the light. It appeared I had dozed off in the living room. As I glanced around, the state of my house struck me as disastrous—a complete wreck. Just like my life. Just like it should be. Plastic and garbage bags cluttered the space, turning it into what felt like an abandoned home.

What's the point of cleaning this mess kung ako lang naman din ang nakatira dito.

The hallway leading to the kitchen had transformed into a graveyard of takeout food, cups of noodles and unopened packages were piled in a corner, neglected. The couch seemed defeated, overwhelmed by a heap of unfolded laundry. I got up to silence the ringing.

Biglang kumalam ang sikmura ko kaya nagtungo ako sa kitchen para maghanap ng makakain. I opened the fridge, hoping to find something to eat, but it was empty. Like my soul. I sighed. Kulang nalang langawin.

"If I could describe the whole situation, I wouldn't," I murmured to myself. Dishes piled up in the sink, and the fridge was a ghost town, haunted by expired food! Urgh! So stressful! The bedroom, once a cozy retreat, now felt like a battlefield with tangled sheets and scattered clothes, everywhere!

But I don't have the energy to clean.

Even the mirror seemed sad, covered in streaks. It was as if the chaos outside mirrored the chaos within me—a silent cry for help from someone struggling with more than just a messy house.

As someone who wants to... 

Naputol ang iniisip ko nang biglang may nag-doorbell. Napatingin ako sa pinto, nagtataka kung sino ang nasa likod nito.

Tinungo ko ang pinto at sinilip.

Hays, siya na naman? Ano na naman kayang sadya niya rito?

"Maya! Alam kong nandito ka! Buksan mo ang pinto!" She kept knocking, kulang na lang sirain niya ang pinto ko. I rolled my eyes and chose to ignore her. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than opening that damn door.

"Ah, ganun ha? Ako talaga hinahamon mo? Sige kung ayaw mong buksan 'to, ipapadampot kita d'yan sa loob!" Narinig kong tinatap niya ang kanyang phone. "Hello? Andro--"

I opened the door, kaya't natigil siya sa pagpapanggap niya.

"Bubuksan naman pala, dami pang paligoy-ligoy." I shook my head and opened the door. I turned away and headed back inside, with her following and tailing me. Dana, my high school friend, stepped in, looking all classy and put-together. Unlike me. A total mess.

I grabbed the bottled water and took a sip.

"Look at this mess! My gosh, best friend, hindi na ikaw 'to!" she exclaimed dramatically.

Well... what would you expect from someone who lost everything she had and gave up on life?

You won't understand.

"What do you need?"

She rolled her eyes and walked in with sophistication. "First, let's get this place cleaned up."

"Come on, just say it."

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Andro? I need your help. Yeah, it's Dana. I'm at Maya's place, and it's a disaster. Can you send someone to clean up ASAP? Great, thanks!" With that, the promise of order and cleanliness was on its way, as if summoned by Dana's sophisticated command and there's nothing I can do about it because, as it turns out, it's not my house to decide! I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation.