NEVER FAR AWAY

~ I ~

*HEAVY BREATHING*

Dead silence of the night. Only my footsteps can be heard as I kept on running as fast as I can.

I don't know where I'm going. I just knew I have to run for my life. I stopped and bend for a little, hands on my knees trying to regain my normal breathing, I saw a door on the far left of my direction.

I ran once again.

"TAO PO! TULUNGAN NYO AKO PLEASE!!" Umiiyak ako habang kinakalampag ang pintuan.

Walang sumasagot. Pinihit ko ang doorknob pero naka-lock.

I felt the hush of cold wind going to my direction. I knew, he's coming.

Bumwelo ako at malakas kong sinipa ang pinto. It broke down. I don't have time to wonder where I got enough strength.. I went inside and run on the long corridor. Madilim din sa loob. I reached the dead end. Puro pader lang ang loob ng bahay. Wala man lang kwarto.

I felt the wind hushing again. It's getting near. Lumingon ako. Nakita ko ang bulto ng isang lalaki. He was wearing a long coat. Naghanap ako ng matataguan. Napansin ko ang makapal na carpet sa floor. It's funny why I thought it can hide me. Inangat ko ang carpet at sumuksok ako sa ilalim. Sumuot ako hanggang sa dulo. I felt the wooden floor made a breaking sound. Before I can balance myself, the floor gave in. It cracked. Next thing I knew, I was falling down into a deep hole.....

"Ahhh!"

I screamed loud as I can.

That was the moment I opened my eyes. Bigla akong napabangon mula sa kama.

Bahagya pa akong nasilaw sa liwanag ng kwarto.

Another nightmare.

I've been having weird dreams lately. Pero di kagaya ng mga nakaraan, this time naaalala ko ang panaginip ko. Isang buwan na akong nakakapanaginip ng kung ano ano pero kapag nagigising ako, wala akong naaalala about dun sa panaginip ko. Nung una hindi ako naba-bother, pero ngayon, natatakot na ako. Bakit ako nakakapanaginip ng ganun?

***

It was another boring day at the university. I sighed as I walked at the corridor to grab some lunch.
These past few weeks, I've been eating alone. Feeling ko iniiwasan na ako ng mga kaibigan ko. Di ko sila masisisi dahil twing magkakasama kami ay lagi kong naikukwento na may napapanaginipan akong kakaiba pero di ko maalala.

They probably think I'm crazy, huh?

I walked with head up papasok sa canteen. I put on my usual fierce look. Trying to look intimidating although I'm feeling restless inside.

I ordered food. Natanaw ko sa ibang mesa ang mga kaibigan ko. Umiwas sila ng tingin at nagbulungan. I took few steps towards a table. There's Chelsea, sitting alone.

I looked at her before I sit down. She is not my friend, infact, we had a bad start. Makailang beses na rin kaming nag away noon, but today, I have no choice. I need someone to talk to.

"How are things between you and Tristan?" tanong ko.

She gave me a puzzled look. I felt a little a little awkward. Naiisip nya siguro na may kalokohan na naman akong gagawin. I used to bully her before.

"Ok naman kami" she answered.

"Buti pa kayo" I said lazily.

My life is complicated. I am engaged with someone I never love. It happened to be Tristan. Chelsea's Boyfriend.

Paano nangyari? My family and Tristan's are business partners. They run a huge corporation for over 50 years. They assembled a fixed marriage between our families to tighten the bond. And also to help Tristan with the management of the company.

"Okay ka lang ba?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya. Sa isang tanong na yun, bigla akong naluha. Mula nung nagsimula akong maistress tungkol sa buhay ko at mga panaginip ko, at wala man lang akong makausap. Walang umiintindi at never once na may nagtanong kung ok lang ako.

It just feels so nice to be asked this way.

I decided to tell her what I'm going through right now. Tristan ran away from his family and stood up for Chelsea. I should be happy but because of that, his grandfather chose another guy for me to marry.

Maybe that's the reason why I'm having nightmare lately. Isip ako ng isip ng kung ano ano.

I felt relieved knowing finally I can talk to someone.