Love's dark remedy

CHAPTER ONE

Warning:
This story contains mature themes, including obsession, manipulation, and emotional distress, as well as explicit content related to a girl-to-girl relationship. It may not be suitable for all readers. Reader discretion is strongly advised. If you are sensitive to these topics, please proceed with caution.

ZEN

"Hey, Zen, want some candies?" my classmate, Dian, asked me.

All eyes were on us now, waiting for a scene again. I looked up at her, shook my head, and continued rewriting my assignment.

"Bastos," she muttered harshly before grabbing me by the collar, making me stand up. I grimaced in pain because my neck hurt.

"Does it hurt again, loser girl?" she asked sarcastically, making a face.

"O-ouch," I tried to pull myself away from her, pero mas lalo niya lang diniinan ang sarili sa'kin.

"Next time, kapag inalok kita ng pagkain o kung ano pa man, matuto kang tumanggap, hah?!" she declared straight to my face. Napapikit nalang ako dahil sa takot na baka umbagan na naman ako.

"Such a loser!" She pushed me hard, and my head almost hit the floor. Damn!

Some of our classmates laughed, teasing Dian to do more. Or... I must say, all of them were laughing.

Sinubukan kong bumangon, pero inapakan ako sa dibdib ng isa pa naming kaklase—si Melanie.

"Higa ka na lang diyan, total iyon naman ang pinakapaborito mo, 'di ba? Hospital bed nga lang ang higaan mo."

Pinilit kong tanggalin ang paa niya sa'kin, saka ako mabilis na tumayo at tumakbo papalabas. Nagulat pa ang mga nakasalubong kong estudyante dahil sa hitsura ko. Napakadugyot na naman ng suot kong puting uniporme.

Pumasok ako sa isang comfort room. Baka sinundan na naman ako nina Dian, ayoko na ng isa pang pasa.

I locked the door of one of the cubicles. I tried not to make any noise while calming myself. Ramdam kong sumasakit na naman ang leeg ko—sign na nagti-trigger na naman ang cancer blood cells na nabuo rito.

I'll try to contact Mommy, and this time, hindi na ako takot magsumbong.

I dialed her phone number, hoping she'd answer immediately.

Maya-maya pa'y narinig ko na ang malakas na hampas ng pinto, dahilan para magulat ako. Lagot, alam nila kung nasaan ako.

"Labas na diyan! Alam naming nandito ka. Huwag mo nang subukang magsumbong; wala rin namang gagawin ang mga magulang mo sa'min. Mga dakilang maawain." There she goes.

Hindi ako nakinig sa sinasabi niya.

I continued dialing my mom's number.

"Please, Mom, respond to me."

I nearly cried as Dian tried to open the cubicle door.

"Kapag 'to nabuksan ko, yari ka talaga sa'min!"

"Tama na, please! Hayaan niyo na ako rito!" I shouted.

"Lumabas ka, sabi!" she ordered angrily. I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me.

"Ayaw mo ah? Pwes, kakaladkarin kita!"

Napasigaw ako nang dumapa siya sa sahig at sumilip sa loob ng cubicle. Nakita ko siyang nakabungisngis sa akin.

"C'mon, Zen, halika na," she tried reaching for my shoes.

I was on the verge of tears. She had that psycho look again.