Changing Its Rays (Sultan Naga Series #1)

Kabanata 41

Weirdo

I am standing alone in the middle of a downpour as my clothes drenched and sticking to my skin. Umiiyak ako. Sobrang sakit ng puso ko. Napatingala ako sa langit na walang pag tigil sa pag buhos ng ulan.

I creased my brows and tried to knock my senses.

I found myself in front of our house. I reached for the doorknob, desperate to find refuge from the storm. Bakit ba ako nagpapa ulan? But as I was about to enter, a figure emerged from the shadows. Lalaki. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla ako nitong hinawakan nang mahigpit. Sobrang higpit.

I stumbled backward, my heart pounding in my chest violently. I tried to escape. Nanginginig at desperada akong umiiyak at sumigaw nang sumigaw para humingi ng tulong pero bakit wala akong boses?!

"H-Huwag po!" I cried.

"P-Please...p-pakawalan n'yo po ako!"

Just as the man was about to touch me again, bigla akong nagising. Panaginip lang pala. H-Hindi. Bangungot. My heart is racing and my body is drenched in a cold sweat. Tears streamed down my face. I pressed my lips and tried to calm myself. With a trembling hands, I touched my chest to calm my heart.

Napalingon ako sa pintuan ko. I heard Mama's frantic voice calling out to me.

"Dorothy! Dorothy! Anak! Anong nangyari?" Mama's voice was filled with concern, and it was accompanied by the worried barks of my dog, Raki.

"Anak?!" rinig kong tawag ulit sa akin ni Mama.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I wiped the tears from my eyes and managed to call out, "A-Ayos lang ako, Mama. It was just a nightmare." I tried to reassure her but my voice trembled---betraying my fear.

"Hindi..." desperadang sagot ni Mama at dinalhan ng susi ang pintuan ko.

Mama entered my room when she finally opened my door--Raki following closely behind. They both rushed to my side, providing me with the comfort and reassurance I needed after the terrifying ordeal.

"A-Anong nangyari?" ulit na tanong sa akin ni Mama sabay yakap sa akin ng mahigpit.

"N-Nanaginip lang ako, Mama..." litong sagot ko sa kan'ya.

"H-Hindi....Hindi lang ito ang unang beses na naririnig kitang umiiyak at sumisigaw."

Kumalas sa pagkakayakap sa akin si Mama. My old woman is like a reflection of mine. She aged beautifully. Hinawakan ni Mama ang pisngi ko sabay haplos ng pawis sa noo ko.

"M-May nangyari ba sa 'yo no'ng...naiwan ka rito..." her voice trembled. She wasn't asking me because even me can't answer her. The way she said those is like she was so sure na may nangyari ngang...nakalimutan ko lang.

"A-Anak..." she called me and cried harder. She shook her head and held my hand tightly. Gulo akong napatitig sa ina at hindi alam ang sasabihin.

"Mama..."

"I-Imposible, anak...Hindi ka lang basta-bastang binangungot. Please, if may maalala ka, huwag kang matakot na sabihin sa akin. Kahit gaano pa 'yon katagal, gusto kong marinig at malaman. Kahit gaano man siya kasakit, tatanggapin ko. Sabihin mo lang sa akin, anak. Please," she whispered as her voice was trembling and her tears won't stop from falling.

"M-Mama..." naiiyak ko na ring sambit sabay abot ng mga kamay niyang nanginginig. "A-Ayos lang po ako. At kung may maalala man ako, sasabihin ko rin 'yo  sa 'yo...pangako."

With a tears in her eyes, she smiled and nodded. She pulled me for a hug and kissed my forehead. Raki rubbed his head on our legs and lie down there. Alam kong may nangyaring hindi maganda sa buhay ko na pinilit ko ring kinalimutan. At kung mabalik na ang mga alaala ko, babalikan ko ang mga 'yon at hindi na muling ibaon pa.