A Glance At Your Abyss

Chapter 1

"ANASTACIO LOPEZ!! Wake up already, or else you'll miss your flight!" Cleo's mom shouted.

Cleo grunted as he slowly sat up. He looked at his clock and saw that it was still 6:00 AM, with two hours left until his flight. Today, he's traveling to Davao City to visit his Lola Ali, who was sick.

"Cleo!" his mom called out.

"Alright, I'm here, no need to shout," Cleo replied, descending the stairs. He had just finished showering and was walking towards the table.

"How's Lola? Is she still sick?" Cleo asked.

"Oh, she's as strong as a bull. She probably just misses her apo, so take good care of her there, alright?" his mom said.

"Ay Ay, Captain!" Cleo responded with a salute, making them both laugh.

Later, as Cleo listened to the flight announcement, he pulled out his phone and snapped a selfie wearing his headphones, holding a brochure of Davao's top tourist spots. He couldn't wait to send it to his mom, reassuring her of his safe arrival.

After arriving at Lola Ali's residence, Cleo was welcomed at the front door with a warm hug. Lola Ali looked lively and energetic, yet subtle changes in her body hinted at her declining health.

"Come in, apo, and let's eat the snacks I prepared," Lola Ali said.

Cleo's eyes widened. "Wow, there's durian candy and Malagos chocolates here. Did you make all this, Lola?"

Lola chuckled. "Nonsense, I just bought it from a night market nearby. Let's eat now."

As they chatted and ate, Cleo lost track of time. The sky outside darkened so he excused himself and took his belongings to his room, unpacking for his month-long stay.

As he descended down the stairs, he heard a conversation taking place in the living room. Apparently, a cousin of his visited Lola Ali.

"Oh, you've come down Cleo. Let me introduce you to your distant cousin Lucian. Lucian, this is Cleo." Lola Ali said.
"Hello." Cleo awkwardly uttered. Lucian laughed and introduced himself once again.

Lola Ali yawned and smiled, "I think it's time for me to take a rest, apo. You stay and enjoy the evening." They both nooded at Lola's words and sat, discussing about life.

As the conversation steered towards Davao's delicacies, Lucian invited Cleo to explore the night market present nearby. Remembering Lola's mention of buying the snacks there, Cleo's interest was piqued. He agreed to his cousin's suggestion and went the next night.

True to his word, they went the next night and spent a considerable amount of time exploring. As they decided to head home, Lucian suddenly felt sick in the stomach and excused himself to use the restroom.

Cleo sat by the roadside as he waited. Suddenly, he heard a faint sound near the alley. Dismissing the sound, he turned his attention back to the road. However, the noise grew louder and clearer, turning into unmistakable muffled sobbing.

Concerned, he decided to check who it was. As he neared the place, he found a person slumped against the wall. They seemed to be a woman with how long the hair was and the curves of her body shown. He hesitated for a moment, before finding the courage to approach the pitiful woman. With a mix of concern and apprehension ingrained on his face, he asked.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere? Did something bad happen to you?" The questions flowed continuously.

Cleo's gaze searched for any injury on her body and was stunned as the dim light revealed the hauntingly elegant and poignant beauty before him. The sorrow clear on her face and her feeble shaking incited sympathy to the audience. She looked as if she could crumble with the softest touch.

Yet his perception of her changed as she fiercely rebuked him.

"What's it to you? Just leave me alone." She glared at him, attempting to stand up. She fell back down, obviously too weak from crying.

He was lost on what to do, so he decided to simply sit next to her and keep her company. The woman noticed her lack of strength and started crying again from helplessness, unaware that Cleo was right next to her.

As time passed and she finally calmed down, she nearly jumped as she noticed him.

"W-what? What are you doing? No. Why are you here?" She was flabbergasted at her ignorance, not even noticing the man. She felt foolish, showing such a disgusting side of herself to a stranger. Before she could utter another word, he suddenly held her.

He acted on impulse, shocking even himself. He awkwardly retreated his hands and blushed heavily.

"Uhhh cough* cough*, a-are you calm now? You should go home, it's not safe to be out here alone at this time." He stammered as he hastily rose up. He held out his hand towards her but she ignored it.

She regained her posture and said coldly.

"I can handle myself. And what makes you think you're not part of that danger you're trying to warn me about?"

Cleo was about to answer when he heard his name being called. It seemed like Lucian was back and is looking for him.

" I mean no harm, Miss... Uh? Can I get your name?" She stared at him for a long time (it was actually just a few seconds) before answering.

"Ella. That's my name."
"Well, Miss Ella, you can rest assured I won't do anything bad to you. My cousin is looking for me so I must take my leave. Our encounter may not be the greatest but nonetheless, it's nice to know you. Keep safe. And here's a little something for you." He spoke in a rushed tone, not even giving her time to respond and left hurriedly.

She stood there dumbfounded at the event that transpired just seconds ago. What a strange guy, she thought and opened her hands. There layed a durian candy and a Malagos chocolate.

"Strange. Weird." She mumbled as she walked out of the alley. Yet her thoughts kept replaying the scenario again and again that whole night.