The Demon Inside Me

Chapter 27: Gave In

Chapter 27: Gave In

"Babygirl. Ilang araw ka ng nagkukulong dyan. Your friends are waiting for you outside. Umabsent ka na ng dalawang araw. They're worried. Pinuntahan ka nila sa school mo kaya nalaman nilang nagabsent ka na ng dalawang araw. Ano ba kasing nangyari?" Nagaalalang tanong ni kuya Chaze. Tuesday ngayon at nagabsent nanaman ako. Parang kahapon lang nangyari when in fact nung Friday pa.

Tumingin lang ako sa kanya. Asking for a hug. Cause I know that's what I need. He immedietly hugged me. That's when my tears started to fall again. "K-kuya. Ayoko na. I g-give u-up." Hinagod niya ang likod ko at mas hinigpitan ang yakap.

"Baby--" I pushed him hard. baby. Yan ang tawag niya sakin. And I can't stand hearing that word! "Hey what's wrong?"

"Don't call me that." Matabang kong sabi. Nagtataka man siya ay tumango nalang siya. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko bago nagsalita.

"Leigh, what really happened to you? I'm fucking worried. We all are. I have never seen you so.... broken." Tinitigan ko siya with my red eyes. Nasira kasi ang contact lense ko kakaiyak kaya wala akong masuot ngayon. Pula tuloy ang mata ko. Dagdag mo pa na namumula ang paligid nito.

"Why does it have to hurt? Bakit kung kelan mahal ko na siya?" Lumuwag ang pagkakahawak biya sa braso ko.

"Sky?" I nodded. "Shit! This is why I hate him. Why I don't want you to be close to him." Naguguluhan ko siyang tinignan. "Is it because of Abygail?" He knows her?

"You know her?" Napailing siya.

"Yes. Ofcourse. Do you know that she's dead?" Tumango ako kaya ngumiti siya. "Then what's the problem?"

Lumandas nanaman sa pisngi ko ang mga luha. "Sky's still caged. He's stuck in her memories. He still loves her. He hasn't moved on. How can I love someone I can't even own?" Napailing ulit siya.

"He moved on. He already did. He just can't let go. I do hate him. I hate him because he's the reason why you're hurt. I hate him because his my friend too. I hate him because of his attitude but I can't stand my sister being miserable because of him."

"I'm scared. I'm mad."

"Not just because you're scared doesn't mean you won't try. Not just because you're mad doesn't mean you won't listen. And not just because you love him doesn't mean you'll let yourself be miserable. I know you want to talk to him. Face your fear." Yinakap ko siya bago siya lumabas ng kwarto ko.

He's right. I have never been so broken. I have never been so weak. That's why I hate feelings! That's why I hate love. That fucking love!

"Princess?" Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Zhie na naka lusot palang ang ulo sa pintuan. Tumango ako sa kanya na sinasabi na pwede siyang pumasok. "What did he do?" Matigas niyang sabi habang nakayukom ang kamao na lumalapit sakin.

His face softened when he saw a tear falling from my eye. Agad ko yung pinunasan at ngumiti sa kanya bago umiling. "I don't want to talk about it." Tumango siya at yinakap nalang ako.

"Princess!" Masiglang bati sakin ni Zichi bago pumasok. Sumunod naman sa kanya ang iba. "Princess alam mo ba yang si Zhie sinuntok si Sky!" Napatingin agad ako kay Zichi.

"ZICHI!!" Sabay-sabay nilang sigaw kay Zichi.

"Ay bawal ba sabihin? Sorry. Didn't know." Parang bata niyang sabi.

"Why?" Tanong ko sa kanilang lahat.

"Zhie thought its his fault." Sabi ni Risha. "When we saw Sky and his friends talking seriously, Zhie ran to them and punched Sky. He didn't fought back. That's when we realized it really is his fault." Mahinahong paliwanag ni Risha.