Ghost of the Past

Kabanata 1

His eyes

Loud voices echoed inside my head. I tilted my head to avoid hearing those voices. I can't even imagine that one. I thought i'm going to die but then, HE gave me another chance to live.

"Althea, you're not listening again?" I gaze at Freddie who just tap my shoulder. I shrugged then laugh.

"You're saying something?" I teased. He glared at me but I didn't pay attention to it.

"Whatever. Are you coming with us later?" Pag-uulit niya ng tanong niya kanina.

Sinadya talaga akong puntahan ni Freddie dito sa trabaho ko dahil day-off ko bukas at nagkataong wala ding pasok ang mga kaibigan ko kaya nagkaanyayahan na namang uminom sa kilalang bar dito sa Manila.

"I'll come, Fred. Since when I didn't attend such of any occasion?" He smirked and as usual, like his pet. He tap my head.

"Alright. That's final then. See you later, Althea." He winked na ikinatawa ko nalang.

"Make sure that Caleb will not ruin my night." Irap ko sa kanya. He just laughed so hard upon hearing me.

Oh. Come on. Caleb Sarmiento is really a big jerk stalker of mine. He's my friend but then, he managed to court me back then. I'll surely gave him a yes if he's not my friend.

I don't want to be in a relationship with some of my close friends because if someday that we'll going to break up? Relationship done. Friendship over. Awkward feeling. Awkward surroundings. Back to strangers. See, how complicated will be?

"Intindihin mo nalang. Bunso natin sa barkada 'yon eh. Tsaka bitter pa siya. Binasted mo kasi agad eh." I rolled my eyes at tinapunan siya ng empty bottled water na agad niya namang nasalo at pinaglaruan pa 'yon at shinoot sa basurahan.

"Bunso? I'm also 20!"

"Yes. You're both 20. But, you're ahead of months. It means, bunso parin siya. Tsaka, what's wrong? Kayo nga pinaka-close noon sa circle of friends natin. Anong nangyari ngayon?" Huminga ako ng malalim at nangalumbaba.

"That's exactly my point. Caleb is almost my brother. He's so special to me pero ayokong sirain 'yon. I just want us to be friends para walang magbago sa pagitan namin. Hindi ko alam kung saan banda ang hindi niya maintindihan doon." Nakasimangot na sagot ko sa kanya. Tumango-tango naman siya at sumubo ng isang potato chips.

"You have a point there, Althea. It's better to keep friendships para walang awkwardness. Don't worry, maiintindihan rin ni Caleb ang naging desisyon mo." Ngumiti siya sa akin.

"I hope so."

Ilang sandali pa ay nagpaalam na siya sa akin. Ako naman ay pumasok na sa trabaho. Isa akong designer on my own clothing line. I've worked so hard to achieve it alone. But then, my friends supported me about this. They are all my family.

Buong maghapon kong iginugol ang oras ko sa trabaho. Kaya hindi ko namalayang late na pala ako sa usapan namin ng mga kaibigan ko. Halos mapamura ako ng nakarami sila ng missed calls sa akin. Naka-silent ang phone ko at alam kong pinakialaman na naman ito ng pamangkin ni Caleb dahil galing lang ito dito bago ko sinipot si Freddie.

Halos ten na ng gabi nang makarating ako sa bar na tatagpuan namin ng mga kaibigan ko. May humarang kaagad na lalaki sa dinaraanan ko at mabuti nalang at tinulungan ako ng bouncer na makaalis doon.

Namataan ko naman kaagad ang mga kaibigan ko. Palakad na ako papunta sa kanila pero bigla akong napatigil ng mahagip ng paningin ko si Caleb na mukhang naghahamon ng away sa mga lalaking humarang sa akin kanina.