When I Escaped

Chapter 3

Bakulaw at kidnapper na, ngayon manghuhula pa.

"Alam mo kapag nahihirapan ka sa mga problema mo andito lang ako para kausapin mo" sabi niya. "Just to let you know that there are people who loves you and cares for you."

Silence

Aba makapagsalita akala niya alam niya ang mga nangyayari sa buhay ko. But he cares? Why?

These are the lines I wanted my mom to ask me. This is what I wanted to hear.

I remembered my dad, matino siyang kausap. Pinakikinggan niya lahat ng mga problema ko nung bata pa ako at binibigyan niya ako ng mga advice. One time, I tripped on our neighbors flower pot at nasira ito, wala akong ibang matatakbuhan kundi si daddy lamang. Sinabihan niya ako na bumalik at humingi ng tawad sa ginawa kong yon. Another time, mom and I quarreled about my grades and I felt so sad about it but my dad gave me words of wisdom.

And the thought of my dad made me smile.

"Nakikinig ka ba?" bulong niya

I just shrugged but still smiling.

"Sabi ko, maganda ka pala kung naka ngiti." he glared at me.

When he glared at me I was fascinated by his eyes and it was like the ocean-
I did not know I was staring at it for such a long time.

I stopped smiling. Omygad. Baliw talaga ako, baka kung ano ano na yung iniisip niya.

"And we're here." he parked his car in front of our house.

Wait

I stared at him in confusion."Bakit alam mo kung saan ako nakatira, stalker much?"

He smiled devilishly. "And what if I am?" Then he winked at me.

Ew.

I made that nakaka diri face and banged the car door.

Should  I say thank you, goodnight? Or just turn around.

I turned around.

"Wait Julie, we can really be friends" he extended his arms for a handshake.

Sa totoo lang hindi ko pa alam, para sa akin kasi ang pagiging kaibigan ay yung tipo ng taong masasandalan mo pag may problema ka, someone you can trust whole heartedly, and would tell you the truth, even when it's hard and will cause you pain. Most of all mahirap magtiwala sa taong hindi kapa naman totoong kilala, cause they'll judge you of what they see and thought.

Maybe this is why I never had friends because of my high expectations.

Natulala ako sa kanya.

My mood shifted with anger. Why so sudden?I want explanation to everything, baka laro naman to ng bakulaw and I will never play it.

"No"madali kong sabi. "I mean I still don't know but thanks anyway." Madali akong pumasok sa loob.

"See you tomorrow, partner." he shouted.

Aba may nalalamang partner. Baliw siya talaga.

Mom was still asleep at ipinatong ko nalang ang pagkain sa mesa. Kumain ako ng dinner sa kwarto, sanay na ako sa ganitong gawain dahil madalas ay gabi na umuuwi si Mama galing sa trabaho.

Pagkatapos ay nahiga ako sa kama, I stare at the ceiling walls and I smiled.

Naalala ko naman kasi ang mga glow in the dark na mga bituin na nakadikit sa ibabaw. I really love things that glow, kaya naman during my 4th birthday, si dad at mom sinurpresa ako dito mismo sa loob ng kwarto ko. Pero it was 12 years ago, halos wala na ang ilaw sa mga bituin.

I closed my eyes.

"Why do I remember my dad in everything?" tumulo na naman yung luha ko."O kung hindi man tungkol kay dad, naiisip ko na naman na babalik pa yung dati. "

Naku yan tuloy sinipon naman ako.

I managed to smile. Last thing I knew I was asleep.

When I opened my eyes, the rosy sky was the first thing I saw.
5:00 a.m.

I went downstairs and my mom is already off to her work. I was about to open the fridge, may nakita akong sulat na nakalagay

Salamat sa pagkain Julie, I'm sorry I was just tired last night. I promise to make it up to you

Love, Mom

First time in my life na nagsulat si mom ng fridge message. I feel a little bit delighted.

Dad always told me. "It's the little things that count."

I took a shower immediately, first class ko pa naman sa biology at natural hindi pwedeng ma late.

Ay peste buti nalang at hindi ko nakalimutan, yung requirements para sa biology.

Dali dali kong binuksan yung laptop ko at pumunta sa page ng East Shores Academy.

Biology Class: 7:30 a.m-8:30 a.m
Requirements:
Biology book, Lab gown, Biology partner

Partner.

Partner.

Partner.

Two words only came out of my mouth. "My goodness."