How deep is your love?

CHAPTER 24 (Photos)

I WILL FIND YOU.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE WITH HIM.

I KNEW YOU FIRST.

I SHOULD BE THE ONE.

He won't top texting me. Pakiramdam ko nasa paligid lang siya. Kahit anong tago ko sa unan ko, natatakot pa rin ako. I feel like I'm about to be devoured by a monster. Oo, natatakot talaga ako pero hindi ko masisisi ang sarili ko. I never had this situation at ayokong ipaalam sa mga magulang ko. They're living the simple life there with my aunts and cousins. Ayoko na silang idamay sa problema ko. I should face this alone and solve this alone.

Ang kidlat at ulan pa ang lalong nagpapatakot sa akin. Feeling ko nasa horror movie ako. Hindi ako makahinga sa takot. Ayokong bumaba at kumuha ng tubig. Ayoko rin naman maabala si Xavier kasi alam ko kung gaano siya kapagod sa pagpapatakbo ng financial firm nila. Ano nga bang gagawin ko? I don't want to disturb anyone but I'm really afraid someone might attack me.

Then my phone rang.

Unknown number.

"H-hello?" I asked.

"My sweetie... how are you?" I felt shivers down my spine. Hindi ko kilala ang boses. Sino siya? Hindi ko siya maalala. I don't know why but I seem to know him, but I can't really recognize.

"W-who is this?" I asked.

"You don't know me? Come on, you can see me. You should know me by now." Kaso hindi ko talaga siya mabosesan. Hindi ko siya kilala. Sino ba siya? Bakit niya ba ako binabaliw? Binuksan ko ang ilaw ng lamp shade at umupo. Nakikita ko siya? That means he could be someone from work, from here or from uni. Hindi ko na alam.

"Hindi kita kilala at tigilan mo na ako. Ayokong makipag-usap sa'yo. Ayoko sa'yo, hindi mo ba naiintindihan?! Ayoko!" I felt hot tears running down my face. I felt my limbs turning melted candles and now my hands are shaking. Nanlalamig na rin ang mga paa ko at hindi ko alam kung paano pa ako ngayon kakalma.

"Don't panic. Nakabukas naman ang ilaw mo, bakit ka pa natatakot? Want me to make you feel warm?" Then that's it. He can see me. He's around. He can see the reflection by the window. Ibig sabihin nasa labas siya ngayon ng mansyon. Pero paano? Armed men are outside this mansion, guarding the whole place. What if isa siya sa mga bodyguards? Paano kung nandito lang siya? Paano kung bigla siyang may gawing masama sa mga taong nasa loob dahil sa akin?

I won't forgive myself.

Sinuot ko ang salamin ko at tumayo.

"Hindi ako natatakot sa 'yo! Kahit ano pang gawin mo, hindi ako magkakagusto sa 'yo. Ayoko sa 'yo!" I ended the call and smashed my phone on the floor like I don't give a fuck. Ayoko na ng ganito. Ayokong may napapahamak dahil sa akin. I have to flee, but how? Xavier won't let me at ayokong malungkot si Ethan kung aalis ako.

A knock came from the door.

"Alex, okay ka lang?" I felt relieved knowing it's Xavier who's on the door. Ang bilis nawala ng kaba ko. My salvation is right there behind this door.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at nagulat siya nang makita niyang namamaga ang mga mata ko sa pag-iyak. He saw how miserable I look. I covered my face but he took away my hands and held them with his.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" He asked then he embraced me very tight. Naramdaman kong pinapatahan niya ako at lumuwag ang pakiramdam ko nakita ko pa lang siya.

"He... called me. This is the 5th time I changed my number but why is it he still can have access with it? Bakit? This is getting out of hand. This is not funny anymore. Hindi ko na kaya, Xavier! Alam niyang nagbukas ako ng ilaw kanina. Nasa paligid lang siya! I can't bear with this faceless stalker anymore. He needs to be gone. He needs to vanish." Then I realized how scared Xavier was after those words came out of my mouth.