THUNDER

1ST ROAR

SKYE'S POV

I closed the book I was reading because I can't focus on it. Not when it's raining hard again. But this time, it's not just the rain that's bothering me. It's the roaring thunder that scares me. I'm terrified of it. Even now that I'm 11, I still am.

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid para mabaling sa iba ang atensyon ko. The office is well-lit by expensive and extravagant lights. The light blue walls give a calm feeling to anyone who's inside the room. Pero walang nagawa ang mga iyon para kalmahin ang nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na yon.

Niyakap ko ang paborito kong libro sa aking dibdib sa pag-aakalang kaya nitong ibsan ang takot na nararamdaman ko, but I was wrong. Nilapag ko ang libro sa glass table na nasa harapan ko then looked around the room to find something that will keep my mind off of the thunder.

Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuang couch na nakaharap sa floor-to-ceiling na glass wall. Kitang-kita ang magandang view sa labas ng building kung san ako naroroon ngayon.

I can't properly see the view because of the heavy rain so I leaned in with my palms on the glass to get a better view, but a sudden roar of thunder with lightning strikes made me jump from fright.

Agad-agad kong hinablot ang pulang kurtina para isara. Tumalikod ako mula sa saradong kurtina at minabuting lumapit na lang sa working table ng aking Daddy.

I traced my fingers on the wooden table then took my time looking on the things placed on it. Stack of papers are neatly piled on the left side of the table with folders beside it. Mangilan-ngilang table decorations ang nakalagay sa bandang gitna ng table, sa likod ng marble stone kung saan nakaukit ang pangalan ng CEO ng kumpanya, ang pangalan ni Daddy. It's my suggestion to place those decors in there.

I looked on the right side of the table then smiled when I saw row of pictures of us, some with Melinda and Benjie beside us. Ang ganda naming tignan sa mga pictures na yon.

A giggle escaped my lips when I looked at the one where my Dad was pinching my cheeks from behind me with his tongue sticking out, while I was making silly faces at the camera with my eyes crossed. Sina Melinda at Benjie naman ay nasa likuran namin habang tumatawa.

I reached for the picture then look at it closely.

"Maybe I can convince them to take a picture again together."

Tinignan ko ang oras sa relo ko. It has been exactly 1 hour, and 13 minutes since I was looking through my Dad's things on his table. And it has been 3 hours since he left me here in his office to go to the room next door, the meeting room.

"What's taking Dad so long?"

My Dad is having a meeting with a 'very important person' as he said it so I have to behave and don't come to the meeting room no matter what. Pero natatakot na ako.

Bumalik na naman ang malakas na ulan pagkatapos ng saglit na paghinto. Pero di katulad ng kanina ay mas malakas ito. Tila ba galit na galit ang langit sa hindi malamang dahilan.

My heart is heavily pounding from my chest, I'm worried I might get a heart attack. I want to go to my Dad and be wrapped in his comforting embrace to ease my beating heart. I've always been a Daddy's girl. Even before my Mom decided that my Dad isn't good enough and cheated on him with his best friend, or ex-best friend to be exact.