Unseen Strings

Chapter 4: Fermare

Fast-forward

It's been a year, yet he's still bothering me. 

“Happy birthday, Ate!” Cherrel greets me with a big smile on her face. I hugged her tightly. Gosh, I missed my annoying sister.

It’s my birthday, yet it seems like this day isn’t special. I didn’t hold a party for my birthday, what for? Birthday is just birthdays, nothing more, and we celebrate it every year.

Only those who are close to me are the ones who know my birthday. I didn’t reveal it to the public. I ensure that my personal information is kept confidential.

Pero ‘tong isang ‘to halos malaman na lahat ng tungkol sa’kin, and I don’t really know how he did that—it’s stressing me out.

“You’re now 27 years old, yet you’re still single.”

“Ito nanaman tayo, Ilang taon ko bang sasabihin sa’yo na magiging single ako hanggang sa pag-tanda ko.” Bumuntong hininga naman ‘to at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

“Ate, I know you’re an independent woman, and I know you can do everything on your own. But some day, you’ll need someone to take care of you, who will love you for who you are.” I cringed and rolled my eyes and put my hands on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself. Hindi pa ako gano’n katanda, Cherrel.” Inirapan naman ako nito.

“Hay, bahala ka...basta, take care of yourself.” I just nodded and assured her.

“Kung makapag-salita e, 27 pa lang naman ako! I’m not that old... so, don’t worry.”

“Oo na, hindi kana matanda.”

“Nasa late 20’s pa lang ako, Cherrel.” I protested. O-oa talaga ng pamilya ko.

“Basta, seryosohin mo nga ‘yung sinabi ko, I’m not joking.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Oo na...pero wala talaga akong balak mag-pakasal, Cherrel. I’ll just do that if I really need to.”

“Like what?”

“Like, if it’s really needed and necessary. But marriage isn’t necessary though.”

“Ayan ka nanaman e!” I just shook my head and laughed at her.

“I’m telling the truth.” I retorted.

“Ma’am, Vivi...may pina-aabot nanaman ho para sainyo.” Saad ni Manang belle.

This man again! Is he not tired of sending me these things? Kahit ano pang gawin niya, there’s no way I’ll agree to marry him or even get interested in him.

Kinuha ko ang box na ini-abot sa’kin ni Manang belle na naka-balot sa isang pink gift wrapper, may ribbon pa ‘tong puti, at mukhang mamahalin nanaman.

“What’s that?...from a friend?” Cherrel asked in curiosity as she examined the gift that I was holding.

Yes, till now she doesn’t know that someone’s kept sending me things like this, and she doesn’t know who’s Von. she still doesn’t know anything about my stalker.

Mag-aalala lang siya lalo sa akin kaya hindi ko na lang sinabi.

“Celeste probably go here if she wanted to give me a gift, Che.”

“Edi kanino galing ‘yan?” Tanong nito, but I just stayed silent.

“From a man?” She added. But I didn’t reply and just put the gift on the table.

I need to do something.

“Manang, sainyo na lang ‘to.”

“Na ‘ku, Ma’am...matanda na ako, hindi ko na iyan magagamit.”

“So...it’s from a man, huh. How come I didn’t know that you already have a suitor? “

I roll my eyes in annoyance. ‘suitor’ my ass, that’s just from a creep.

“It’s not from a suitor, Cherrel. It’s from..I don’t know who he is, but I know he’s a fucking dangerous person.”

“Lily, just get this. Take this as my gift.” But Lily just stayed silent, like she knows something.

“Ma’am, hindi ko po pwedeng tanggapin ‘yan, para sa’yo po ‘yan, t’saka hindi ko po birthday.” she responded.

I sighed in distress as my gaze fell to the gift box.
“Nevermind, itatapon ko na lang.”

“Ate naman, hindi mo pa nga binubuksan, malay mo bomba.”

“Kaya ko nga itatapon, ‘di ba.”

I really need to turn him down; I can’t bear this. I’ll call a cop or whatever I could do just to stop him and not bother me anymore.