STUCK IN GREEN LIGHTS

CHAPTER 01 [The first encounter] Nicole and Axel

[NICOLE'S POV]

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"Send me a message kung nakauwi ka na, ha," sigaw ni Abigail bago siya pumasok sa kotse niya. Tumango lang ako at nag-wave sa kanya. She's a very close friend of mine, an advisor, and a second mother. Since I'm not really open to my parents, kay Gail ko sinasabi lahat ng ups and downs ko. Pati pinakama-itim kong budhi, alam niya. I trusted her a lot; I trusted her more than my parents.

"Don't get into trouble today, Nics. Pakiusap na 'yan, busy ako mamayang gabi, can't pick you up kung mapapasabak ka na naman sa kung ano mang gulo," she said habang nakadungaw sa window ng kotse niya.

"I'll try not to. But- I won't promise though," nakangiti kong sabi saka umalis ng hindi tinignan man lang ang naging reaksiyon niya. I could sense her worry, but I decided not to look back, hoping to avoid another lecture.

As I walked towards my car, I heard her calling my name, her voice tinged with concern. I paused for a moment, considering whether to turn around, but ultimately continued, determined to stick to my plans.

In the rearview mirror, I saw Abigail still standing by her car, lumabas pala talaga sya ulit. Her expression a mix of worry and frustration. She was waving, trying to get my attention, but I pretended not to notice. I knew she meant well, but I needed this sense of freedom, this escape from the constraints that seemed to tighten around me every day.
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"Where are you going, Ophelia Nicolette Cruz?" Rinig ko sa kabilang linya. Hindi pa ako nakalayo ng school and here she is... already shouting me sa phone.

"Somewhere" tipid kong sagot.

"At saan na naman yang somewhere na yan, ha? Kakasabi ko pa nga lang sa'yo, di ba, na diretso uwi? Bawal ka ma-trouble today kasi ang dami kong aasikasohin and look at you- Wala pang isang minuto nung sinabihan kita and you're already disobeying me!" bulyaw niya. Napasinghap lang ako at in-end ang call. The best way to shut her mouth off is not answering her bullshit.

Just an advice... Huwag talaga kayo mag best friend ng matured magisip. Guguho ang mundo niyo, swear!

Alam kong sa aming dalawa, she's the mature one, she knows a lot compared to me. Buong buhay ko, nakaasa lang ako sa mga desisyon niya. She's always been my guiding star, the one who pulls me back when I'm about to make a mess of things. Pero pag sinabi kong lalabas ako without her permission, lalabas talaga ako kahit ikakagalit pa 'to ng buong angkan ni Gail.
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Driving through the dimly lit streets, I felt a twinge of guilt. Gail has always been there for me, her words often the anchor that kept me grounded. But tonight, I needed to break free, to breathe without feeling her watchful eyes on me. I wasn't planning anything crazy naman; sa plaza lang naman ako, I'm not going anywhere-hindi ako magbababar. I just needed a moment to myself, a brief escape from the suffocating blanket of expectations and responsibilities.

Pepeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppppppp

Napatigil ako sa pagiisip nung makarinig ako ng malakas na busina ng sasakyan. Agad akong napatingin sa kotseng bumusina sa akin, and there I saw a red Mustang right beside my car. The bright headlights momentarily blinded me, forcing me to shield my eyes with my hand.

"Miss! Hindi na oras ng siesta ngayon, gising gising naman tayo diyan! Ang daming kotseng nakasunod sa likod mo oh. Naka drugs kaba?" Sabi nung lalaking may ari ng kotseng bumusina sa akin.

What a weirdo. Mukha siyang timang sa suot niyang racing suits.

Dumungaw ako sa kotse ko sabay sabi, "Ay, pasensya naman, hindi kasi ako na-inform na nagmamadali pala ang mga alipin ng Pilipinas. Sorry ha, aalis na ako. Ito na." sarkastiko kong sabi, at pinaandar ang kotse ko.