Behind The Shadows [On-Going]

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Invitation Card

Ayanessa's POV

Top 1. Ayanessa J. Mallori

I sighed and walked away after seeing my name written on that piece of paper plasttered on the bulletin board. It's usual, it happens every sem. Truth is, I'm really not interested.

With my head down, I made my way to the parking lot, hugging the books tighter making it pin on my chest.

"Ate Aya! Andito ka lang naman pala eh," Naramdaman ko ang kamay na bumalot sa balikat ko habang sumasabay sa paglalakad sa'kin, "Kanina pa kita hinahanap."

I closed my eyes as I let out a deep sigh and removed her hand across my shoulders, "Stop following me, Madison." Sabi ko habang nakayuko lang at pinagpatuloy pa rin ang paglalakad. She's a freshman that's why she's using 'ate'.

"Ate Aya wait!" She shouted at ramdam kong papalapit na naman siya sa'kin dahil naririnig ko ang mga yabag ng paa niya and so I took of my glasses and faced her.

"What's the catch?" Agad na tanong ko nang makarating na siya sa harapan ko, she gave me a questioning look and so I continued, "What's the point of all of these? I mean, obviously you know that nobody approaches me plus the mere fact that I don't have any friends nor acquaintances."

"That's exactly my point," She said while smiling at me, "Nobody approaches you so I'll do the honor. You don't have any friends so I wanna be the first. After all, I'm a transferee." She explained.

What's up with her? Hindi ba malinaw sa kanya na ayokong napapaligiran ng mga tao? If I wanna be friends with someone, I should've done that a long time ago... but no. My life's too complicated and getting someone involved is the last thing I should do.

"I don't need those," I said with a hard face para maramdaman niya ang bawat salitang bibitawan ko, "Look, I'm not fond of making friends and I am much comfortable being all alone." As I finished my statement, I immediately turned back and walked away.

It may be so rude but it's the right thing to do. As I have said, my life is too complicated than you could ever imagine. Madison is a nice person but the word trust is out of my vocabulary.

"Drive me home," Sabi ko nang makarating na ako sa tapat ng kotse with my driver waiting for me patiently outside, "Right away, miss." He said then bowed his head a bit as a sign of respect.

Umupo agad ako sa may back seat as soon as he opened the door. Napatingin naman ako sa driver ngayon na kakasakay lang sa may driver's seat habang nags-start ng engine. I scanned him from head to toe at nang makitang wala namang kahina-hinala sa kanya, I instantly rested my back at the chair and faced the window.

This is my life. Every people around me is an enemy. I must keep my eyes and ears open and I should never let my guards down. I'm living in a battlefield without even knowing who's the real enemy.

Every wrong move may be the cause of my instant death. Kaya naman wala akong dapat pagkatiwalaan kundi ang sarili ko. Aside from that, wishing to be a part of my life is a suicide kaya mas makabubuti nang hindi ako makadamay ng iba.

It's like I'm a big secret. A secret that should be hidden. A secret that shouldn't be revealed. Buong buhay ko, hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit ako tumatakbo at nagtatago. Ang alam ko lang, I need to do those things if I wanna keep myself alive.

*

Nagsisimula nang dumilim ang paligid. Hindi dahil sa gabi na kundi dahil napapalibutan na kami ng makakapal na anino ng mga naglalakihang puno. It's a sign that I'm almost home.