Hey Harry!

Chapter 8

Calm me down

"I actually thought of postponing our renovation, however, it would be better to have a newly renovated house for new year." Mom shared to the group.

Tamad kong tinutusok ang malambot na steak sa harapan ko at pilit na nginunguya para naman ay hindi ako magmukhang bastos sa harapan nila. 

They were all smiles when they greeted us, and Kiara was already playing around the mansion. Kami nalang pala talaga ang hinihintay dahil naka set na ang lahat mula sa mga gamit namin, pati narin sa kakainin namin para sa gabing ito.

"Don't you like the food Miarah?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni tita Leanne sakin.

Bigla akong napatuwid ng upo at ngumiti sa kanila. All of their attention were diverted to me, and I even saw how mom glared at me like it emitted some laser light. 

Even Harry looked at me with his cocked eyebrow. 

"No tita, I actually had some snacks before I went here kaya medyo busog pa po ako." Sabi ko at ngumiti rin sa kanila.

She nodded and smiled at me too.

"You should engage in healthy foods hija. It's best for us women to maintain our figures, at baka madali kang malosyang pagdating ng araw." 

Halos mahilaw ang ngiti ko sa sinabi ni Tita Leanne sakin. I'm sure that was a reprimand, but the way Harry was choked with his own food due to ridicule, made my face heat up. It made me even so embarrassed when the crowd laughed.

Even mom and dad joined with them too. Thankfully, the topic went on with their family lives, of how mothers should always assure their beauty even if in times of hardships. 

"Naku, mahirap nang masundan ng pangalawa!" Hagalpak naman ngayon ni mommy.

Dad just frowned at her, but she gave her a warm and soft rub on his back, assuring that it was just a joke. And for all we know, it was half-meant.

I almost mentally rolled my eyes at them. Nagpaparinigan pa itong mga babaeng ito.

But as the night went on, Mom and Dad decided to take a nap inside the guest room before leaving tomorrow morning. I was left in the living room, reading this particular book on the couch.

"Miarah, di ka pa ba matutulog?" Tanong sakin ni Tito Ferdinand.

"Hindi pa po tito. Tatapusin ko lang muna itong binabasa ko." 

Tumango siya at pumanhik narin sa ikalawang palapag upang matulog. 

Hindi pa ako nakakapagpalit ng damit dahil tinatamad pa ako. Nawiwili padin kasi ako sa librong binabasa ko kaya wala sa plano ko kanina ang magpalit ng damit.

Eksaktong 11:45 pm ay natapos ko narin ang 285 page na librong iyon. I actually didn't like the ending, but the journey they had was quite a dreamer's wish. Something like a roller coaster, and it was never boring. 

Saka ko lamang napagtanto habang paakyat ako sa magarbo nilang hagdan ang kamalian ko. Nakalimutan kong itanong kung saan ang magiging kwarto ko dito. 

I was so engrossed with the book I was reading that I forgot to ask which room I'd be staying in. Although I've been here for too many times, nawawala parin ako paminsan minsan dahil hanggang living room lang naman ang tinatambayan ko dito, pati narin yung dining area at kusina of course.

Food is life.

Mabuti nalang ay nakita ko si manang Purita na dumaan. I should ask her which room was prepared for me!

"Hi po lola Purita!" Bati ko sa kanya ngunit, kunot noo ang nakuha kong sagot mula sa kanya.

"Sino ka?" 

Halos mapanganga ako sa tanong niya. Hindi niya ba talaga ako kilala? 

"Kayo naman lola, nag uulianin na. Ako po ito, si Miarah." Marahan kong sagot sa kanya.

"Sinong Ara?" 

My gosh. Halos mapasapo ako sa noo ko sa binabaling na mga tanong sa akin. Now that I've thought about it, mula noong bata pa kami nila Harry, nagsisimula nang magkaroon ng memory deterioration si lola Purita. 

Hinilot ko muna ang sentido ko bago sana ay makikipag usap kay lola Purita ngunit bigla na lamang itong nawala na parang bula. 

I was left with no choice, but to stay on the couch. 

I'm not someone who's dumb enough and risk to get to my room. Hindi ko ito bahay at kung may mabuksan man akung hindi dapat ay magiging kasalanan ko pa. I don't want another mistake to happen with my stay in here. 

Kaya naman ay napagpasyahan kong matutulog nalang muna sa sofa. Magigising na lamang ako ng maaga bukas para naman hindi masyadong halata na hindi ako natulog sa kwarto ko. 

Sinet ko ang alarm ng phone ko ng 5 am para sakto, magigising narin sila mommy at daddy niyan para sa flight nila bukas.

On the dot is 12:01 am, and I still have 4 hours and 59 minutes to sleep. 

Nakayanan ko nga mag pull out ng all nighters para sa mga exams ko, ito pa kaya. This is just easy as 1,2,3.

Kalaunan ay nakatulog narin ako sa puyat. 

Slowly, I felt something creeping up to my legs. I can't seem to move my body as if a million weight was placed on it. 

Only my eyes were moving, but I can't move even a single finger. In my insides, I know that I'm awake, but my body isn't. 

The whole place was dark, but I can clearly see an image of a black creature creeping on my body. As if trying to devour me. 

I inwardly cried, for no voice were coming out of my lips. I tried to call for help, but all I could do was to mumble words which were even inaudible. 

 Suddenly, my breath was given back to me when I felt two strong hands trying to wake me up. 

Habol habol ko ang hininga ko nung nagising ko. 

That was a fucking nightmare! 

Walang pasubali ay hinagkan ko ang taong gumising sakin. If it wasn't for this person, I could've died in my sleep without even making something significant in my life. 

I couldn't stop my silent tears as they flowed like the river, and my breathing still can't seem to find its equilibrium. 

"It's okay now. I've got you okay?" Anang niya sa marahan at masuyong boses. 

I even dug my face deeper into his nape when I heard his comforting voice. His response too was an even tighter hug to calm me down. 

What could've been the end of me if it wasn't for Harry who woke up at 3 am? 

"Thank you so much  Harry." He just nodded and held me closer in his arms.