Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 2

"WHEN I COUNT to three, you will run as fast as you can. Get it?" Napakunot noo ako pero pinilit kong tumango.

"One.." He smiled again and I smiled back. He gestured me to turn around.

"Two.." I turned my back to him and tears started to get in my way.

"One.. I-I love you, Deborah."

Nagising akong pawis na pawis. I'm breathing heavily and tears streamed down the corner of my eyes. I often dream about my brother and it felt surreal everytime it happens.

Umupo ako sa kama at pinilit na ikalma ang sarili. Tinignan ko ang night table ko kung saan nakalagay ang larawan naming dalawa ng aking kapatid.

We're both smiling happily in the picture while he's giving me a piggyback. That was the moment when we were playing on the garden and Yaya Molly took a picture of us. Shiloh is running to get us and I remembered everything was wholesome.

I smiled sadly. Lahat ng involved sa larawan na yan ay wala na. That's when I came back to reality.

I roamed my eyes and I felt nothing but emptiness. Lahat nalang ng mga mahahalagang tao sa buhay ko ay nawawala sa tabi ko dahil sa mga magulang ko.

Nagulat ako ng biglang tumunog ang phone ko. Hindi ko napansin na nandito pala ito dahil dala ko pa ito sa condo na pinagiistay-an ko. I opened the message and it's from my friend, Alisson.

Alisson
Deb, how are you? Nasa condo mo ba ikaw?
Sent 10:03 am

Days have passed after what happened and I guess she still doesn't have an idea on what's happening about me. That's a good thing tho dahil ayaw ko siyang magalala. Magiisang linggo na ata akong narito sa bahay na tila kulungan para sa akin.

I'm here in my parents house right now. Why?
Sent 10:04 am

I want to go back to my condo so bad but I know hinigpitan nila papa ang security na nagbabantay sa akin. I need to lie low right now. I hissed.

Alisson
I'm going with Robbie sana for bonding. Anw, bakit nanjan ka?
Sent 10:06 am

I've been friends with Alisson since highschool and she's the only friend I have dahil tampulan ako ng mga bullies noon. I'm very quiet and timid way back so maybe that's why. We're now a sophomore and still friends. I'm glad I have her despite all the bullshits in my life.

Nang tumuntong ako ng kolehiyo ay desidido na akong magrent na lamang ng condo unit para magisa ako sa bahay. I can't live with my parents anymore. They suffocate me. And because I'm alone, Alisson and her boyfriend were always there to keep me company especially when they have a free time.

Nakasanayan na naming ganoon kaya nagisip agad ako ng idadahilan sa kaniya dahil ayaw ko namang ipaalam sa kaniya ang nangyari sa akin.

May mahalagang event lang. I'll text you nalang pag babalik na ako.
Sent 10:07 am

Itinabi ko ang phone ko. Hindi naman na siguro siya magtatanong and I'm not prepared to answer her questions. Nagiisip ako nang may kumatok. Hindi na ako hinintay makasagot at pumasok bigla ang kasambahay naming si Lily. Seryoso ang mukha niya at inilapag sa lamesa ang tray.

"Magandang umaga po. Kainin niyo itong almusal ninyo, Señorita." aniya.

Bahagya lamang akong tumango. "May guard ba sa labas?"

Nagalangan siyang sumagot pero tumango pa rin siya. Sabi na eh. May mga bantay na naman.

"Sundin na lamang ninyo sila, Señorita. Masyado nang mahigpit ang mga magulang mo." Mahina niyang sabi bago lumabas ng silid.