Final Farewell

12

Before moving out of our own house when I was 10, I had a childhood friend. His name was Dane. Aside from my Kuya Ex, he was also one of those whom I trusted the most. Who I trusted with my life. He wasn't just my bestfriend or protector, he was something more.

Siya ang nagligtas sa akin sa pambubully ng mga bata noon. We met when I was 5 after my I got home from the hospital. There was news all over the subdivision that a new family is moving in.

I was not that hyped and excited as they were back then. Kakagaling ko lang sa hospital. Don't expect me to be cheerful all of a sudden. After that incident with my father I lost my bubbly state. I became quiet and distant. I was afraid. I never got to make new friends anymore. Iniwasan na ako ng mga dati kong kaibigan. Gossip spread through out the neighborhood that I got hit by my father.

Inilayo na nila ako sa kanilang mga anak. I was isolated and left out. At such a young age pain was inevitable anymore. And I can't do anything about it.

Lumabas ako ng bahay para magpahangin. At doon ko lang napansin na katapat lang namin ang aming mga bagong kapitbahay. Iniwasan ko sila at lumayo. Naglakad lakad lang ako hanggang sa dulo ng cliff.

The cliff was called Elsburgh Pit. It was a tribute to the person who jumped off this cliff. Last name niya yun. He jumped off because he wanted to do it. Masaya naman ang buhay niya, but one day he just jumped and his body was never recovered. Kaya pinangalan ng neighborhood ang cliff na yun as Elsburgh Pit.

As I sat there, the temperature started to drop again. Hindi ako hahanapin ni Kuya. Dahil busy siya at alam niyang uuwi at uuwi lang ako sa hell hole na yun.

Nang aalis na sana ako, there was a kid about my age that ran towards my direction. He stopped nung nakalapit na siya.

He had a messy dark brown hair and his eyes were pitch black and mysterious. He was tall for his age. He showed me a toothy grin.

"Hi." He said.

I looked around. Making sure na ako ang kinakausap niya when my eyes landed back at him he chuckled.

"Hello?" I asked warily.

"What are you doing here? Hindi ka ba natatakot na baka mahulog ka diyan?"

I smiled at him and murmured. "Someday."

"Ano?" He didn't heard me.

"Wala, nagpapahangin lang ako. Hindi ako mahulog dahil hindi pa tamang panahon."

He gave me a mysterious look and his smile faded but he immediately recovered and grinned once again. Showing his perfect set of white teeth.

"What's your name?" He asked

"Haloiena Cane." I said

"Glad to meet you, I'm Danger Evans, but you can call me Dane." He reached towards my hand and shook it excitedly.

"Halo. Call me Halo." And I smiled at him.