Unholy Halo

Chapter 20 You don't need to be alone in this battle.

MATAPOS nyang samahan si Sabrina sa kwarto nito at makasiguradong mahimbing na ang tulog nito ay bumalik sya sa kwarto nila ni Erica. Nang makitang wala doon si Erica ay naupo sya sa upuan na katapat ng study desk nya saka isa-isang binalik sa lalagyanan ang mga libro nya. Napatingin sya sa notebook na hawak nya at naisip ang mga sinabi ni Sabrina.

People are dealing with something on their own, facing every battle that they can't throw a punch. While she was thinking of running away others were thinking death can make it better. She couldn't imagine how deep, tough and hard their battles are to do such a thing that she thought at first is stupid but now it's the contrary. It's the pain that makes them do that but it's not okay. It's not fine and it's not brave of them to do that.

Whatever happened to Viennese she was sure it's deeper than the ocean, taller than the mountains and flaming than hell. Binuksan nya ang notebook at hinanap ang araw bago ang April 7 2008. Mas gugustuhin nyang lampasan ang ibang naka sulat sa notebook na yon para malaman kung anong klaseng laban ang hinarap ni Viennese para maging dahilan ng bagay na ginawa nya.

"April 4 2008." Napahinto sya sa pagbabasa nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto. Nilingon nya ito at nakita nyang nakatayo doon si Erica at nakatitig sakanya na parang gulat na gulat. Sinawalang bahala nya iyon at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa notebook. Deep down in her wanted Erica to speak. She wanted to hear her before she decided whether she would cut them off or not.

"I can't do this anymore. This thing, that shit, it's running to my head over and over and over. I can't sleep, eat and do things I like. I am scared everyday. I am scared to go outside the room. To see people outside. To be near to them.—"

"Nancy." Parang may kung anong kaba ang gumapang sa mga ugat nya nang marinig si Erica na mag salita dahilan para mapahinto sya sa pagbabasa at mapatingin sa pader na katapat nya. She heard Erica's voice shaking as she let out the breath. Hinahanda nya ang sarili sa mga sasabihin nito.

"I know... I was an idiot to hide the truth from you. I only did what mom told me to do and tried to protect you at the same time. All I want is for her to tell you the truth so I can breathe peacefully." Isinandal nya ang likod nya sa upuan para ipakita ritong nakikinig sya.

"I was ten, when I asked dad for younger siblings and he said it's not that easy. I went ballistic until night. And then mother entered my room, convincing me to go out and have some meal but I was a hard headed daughter. I ignore them. That lasts at least one month. I keep ignoring them and always hiding in my room. I wasn't the perfect child. I was spoiled." Hindi nya alam kung ano ang patutunguhan ng mga sinasabi ni Erica sakanya pero gusto nya itong pakinggan.

"I don't take no as an answer for everything I ask for. And one day when Mom and I are alone at the house. She told me about you. She said I have a sibling. one year younger than I am. So I became excited and asked her where my sibling is and she told me that you are somewhere, where nobody knows you. Where nobody was able to tell that you are her daughter. I said why are you there? And where is it? And she told me about this place. This school." Somewhere where nobody knows her? That's not surprising but why did she hide her?

"So when father got home I excitedly announced that I was going to study at Halo Academy. He got furious and confused at the same time so I told him why I wanted to study here. That makes him even furious. They got into a fight that night. I remember hearing dad asking mom why she hid you from him? And is he your father?" Nag tagis ang panga nya sa mga tanong na binitawan ni Erica na iyon na mula sa ama nito. She also wanted to know that even though she already knew the answer.