Little Monster, Rena || (On-going)

(17)

For four days of recovering, Axel never missed a day to talk to me with their report of finding the culprits. Kahit na sinabi nila na hinahanap nila ang mga ito, hindi pa din panatag ang loob ko na safe kami. Lalo na sina tita Precy and Kaitlin. I kept on reminding Axel to keep an eye on my family; look out for them rather than me. And he always assured me that both of them are fine. The word fine will never ease up my mind because Axel and I both know na nasa paligid lang yung mga taong gustong pumatay sa akin.

After five days in the hospital, na-discharge na rin ako. Hindi ko kasi gusto yung pakiramdam na nasa hospital. I feel suffocated and trapped. Mas ikamamatay ko pa yata yung ganoon kaysa sa sakit ko. I'm relieved that I'm out of that damn four white walls, nonetheless.

"Ate, you need some fresh air," suwestyon ni Kaitlin.

Hindi ko alam kung magagalit ba ako sa sinabi niya or hindi. "It's not safe," I said a matter-of-factly.

She closed her book, one of her collections, and she glanced at me for a brief moment before looking at my cast. I heard her exhaled a long breath, "Alam ko yun, ate. Besides, kuya Axel will look out for you..."

"Let's not talk about this. Ayokong iwan ka dito kahit na nandyan ang ibang miyembro. Do I have to remind you about what happened..."

"I get it, ate. Oo, natatakot din ako sa kalagayan ko lalo na duon sa nangyari sa'tin pero ayoko naman maapektuhan ka nito for your entire life. Hindi naman pwede na you'll always stick around with me 24/7. May school ako, excuse ka dahil kailangan mo magpagaling..." She paused for awhile, looking at me intently. "My point is, this is not you. You're brave. I know it's dangerous but danger is not in your vocabulary, ate Imani. Plus, I'm positive that they will find the culprits sooner or later."

"Still, I'm not leaving you here."

Lumapit ako sa kanya at ginulo ang kanyang buhok. She groaned and started to fix her hair. "Ate naman!" Hindi ko mapiglan mapangiti sa kanya.

"Next time na ako lalabas kapag buo na uli 'tong katawan ko," I joked.

That was the first time my cousin lectured me. And she made a point. Danger is not part of my vocabulary however she missed my point. Ayaw ko lang talaga maulit pa yung nangyari sa kanya. I can take all the blow than to see her and tita in pain. Ayaw kong malaman na wala man lang ako magawa maprotektahan sila. I'm terrified, that's my point.

Nanood na lang ako ng mga American shows na hindi naman ako pamilyar habang si Kaitlin naman ay nasa kwarto niya. May gagawin daw na assignment. Sa sobrang bored ko, sinara ko na lang yung TV at pumunta sa kusina. Nakakagutom pala kapag wala kang ginagawa. I took out three slices of bread, bottled water and Nutella. Okay na siguro 'tong pantawid gutom. Hindi naman ako makakapagprito dahil hindi ko naman magagalaw ang isa kong kamay. Stupid injury.

After my first bite, someone entered the kitchen. And that someone is Axel, holding a piece of black paper. Please, don't tell me that's anoth—

"Another letter," bungad niya. Para akong nahirapan lumunok ng maayos dahil sa ibinalita niya. Agad ko itinungga yung tubig bago niya inilipag yung papel sa harap ko. "Nakita daw ni Seth sa may gilid ng upuan mo nung uwian. Ayoko na sana ipakita sa'yo ito pero sabi ni kuya you should need a little heads up sa mga nangyayari. By the way, binasa na namin for clues."

Kinuha ko agad yung papel at ibinuklat.

I warned you! I warned you before but you didn't listen. Yung totoo marunong ka ba magbasa? And because of what you did. Isa na naman ang madadamay sa kagagahan mo. Galingan niyo magbantay... I'll see you again, Little Monster.