Among All Nightmares

Chapter 22

I rubbed my hands together as they trembled. I was staring outside the window, but I couldn't appreciate the view because of how nervous I was feeling. Dayne noticed my action, so he grabbed my hand and held it tight.

"They're gonna love you, Vionna," he whispered reassuringly. I took a deep breath and nodded, convincing myself that Dayne was telling the truth.

"Masyado ba marami 'yung dala ko?" I consciously asked. Baka kasi masabihan ako na overpacker. Not that it's an insult, pero nakakahiya pa rin.

"Madami?" Kunot noo niyang pag-ulit, "Eh isang backpack nga lang 'yung dala mo. Have you seen Mom's baggages?"

Well, he's got a point there. Dalawang maleta ba naman ang dala ni tita, only for a one night stay. In her defense, tig-isa raw sila do'n ni tito Davis, which he secretly denied by the look of his face.

"Are you guys doing fine back there?" Tita Cath asked.

"Yes po!" Dayne answered. We're actually very comfortable back here in their family van, at the third row. I love back seats.

Kabahan at mag-rant man ako kay Dayne, hindi naririnig nila tita sa unahan.

I stared outside the window and saw a wonderful view of the mountains. Such sceneries are unusual for someone who lives in the city like me. I barely leave the city, but I'm not complaining. I'm proud that I live in our city.

It was a long ride, and as I watched how distance approached us, I felt my eyes getting heavier by each passing second. It wasn't long until I was pulled into a deep sleep.

Nagulat ako nang paggising ay madilim na ang paligid. Alam kong malayo ang pupuntahan namin, pero hindi ko akalain na buong araw ang aabutin namin. Naligaw ba kami?

I turned to look at Dayne, and he was sleeping so peacefully, probably unaware of what's happening- that it's night time already.

"Tita?" I called her, but she did not respond. Kumunot ang noo ko at sinubukang silipin kung tulog din siya. I didn't succeed though, since it was dark.

Nang may makasalubong kaming kotse, nagulat ako sa aking nakita. As its headlight reflected on the front seats, my eyes caught that the driver's seat was empty when I looked at the rear view mirror.

Lubos ang kaba na aking naramdaman. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari. Who's driving? Where's tito Davis? Why's the car moving?

My questions were soon silenced when a the headlights from an approaching truck almost blinded my eyes.

Before I could react, I woke up again. My hands were trembling cold and I felt Dayne holding them.

"Hey, what happened?" Dayne asked immediately. Napalingon ako sa kaniya at hindi mapigilan na maluha. "Come here." He pulled me closer to him and he embraced me.

Napatingin ako sa harapan at nakitang naroon si tito Davis na nagmamaneho, at si tita Cath ay natutulog. Most of all, it's still morning.

"Binangungot ka ba?" Tanong pa ni Dayne sa kalmadong pananalita. Hindi ako nagsalita, sa halip ay tumango lamang.

"It's okay, baby, you're safe," he whispered reassuringly.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I let myself feel the comfort of his presence and embrace. Ramdam ko ang pagod sa katawan na araw-araw ko pa ring nararanasan. 'Yung tipo na naghahangad palagi ng pahinga na matagal ko nang hindi nakakamtan.

More often than not, I'm having a really hard time separating nightmares from reality. It's becoming more vivid than it used to be. Sa totoo lang, nakakatakot. It's starting to affect my daily routine. Alam ni Dayne 'yon, kaya madalas itong bumisita sa amin ni lola para tumulong sa mga gawain sa bahay.