Narcotic of Sunshine

Chapter 1

A few weeks later

Wanted na ako sa police and the police force of Iloilo City are looking for me. 'Yong bahay kung nasaan ako ngayon ay walang nag-ookupa. The house stinks and it's vacant because of poor drainage system.

I could hear the shouting on the other side of the room. I already cut my hair and didn't wash it for two days. I smell like slush mud and garbage in one.

Mas mabuti na ito nang walang makakilala sa akin. Uncle George ruined my reputation already. The catty remark of his secretary as she made a public statement that I initiated the mobbing in Atty. George Alfonso's house.

Nabaril pa raw ang asawa nito at nasa bingit ng kamatayan. I keep my arms tight in the middle of my waist as it helps me to suppress my hunger. I stand up and started to walk in the night streets while carrying my dirty bag.

It's so cold and the icy chill of December is so evident. Merry Christmas and I restrict myself from crying anymore. I won't complain for all of these.

Two weeks na lang at birthday ko na. My city life is not grand anymore. Noong nasa Iloilo City ako at kasama ang mga magulang ko ay magaan ang buhay ko.

I used to imagine that I would have a debut in a private restaurant with my friends and parents. But right now, my whole body is sore and I badly want to take a bath. Hindi pwede at baka makilala ako ng mga pulis.

The millionaire's daughter is now begging for money in the street of Tondo. I contented myself to sleep inside the abandoned apartment. Everyone survives on their own, everyone doesn't care about me because they are too busy in surviving too.

I decided to wait for Winnie outside 7-Eleven. I scrubbed my hand on my ripped shirt. May mga taong nagtitinginan sa aking direksyon at nag-decide akong yumuko.

If I played my cards well, no one would know about me. "Hoy, ganda!" sabi ni Winnie sa akin. I need to stay out of trouble but Winnie is a good girl kahit paminsan-minsan ay pagnanakaw sa kalye ang raket nito.

Binigay nito sa akin ang isang supot ng Chowking. I raise my chin to Winnie and she just smiled smugly at me. "Saan mo naman ito kinuha?"

Nilingon ko ang paligid at baka mamaya sumulpot na lang ang mga pulis at damputin kami. Winnie is a trouble, that's for sure. But she has a heart of gold.

"Nagkaraket ako. Chumibog na ako at buti nga naalala pa kita. Ang arte nito!"

This meal, is a pricey meal for us. Lauriat Chowking is like a gold that peasant like us would only eat if we have a luxury. Buti na lang at nakadelehensiya si Winnie ngayon.

She became my closest companion when my aunt asked me to go in Manila. Para takasan ang abusado nitong asawa. I can't imagine what will happen if I stay on their side baka naging rape victim na ako.

Kinain ko ang chicken habang nakangiting naglalakad. "Puta. Kung hindi ka lang gusgusin pwede kang ipa-artista, ganda."

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata. I hold back myself from speaking in English. I could smell the siomai and I devour it without any finesse.

"Binabawi ko na hindi ka na pwede mag-artista!" Naglakad kami ni Winnie pauwi. Nagbabalak akong mag-apply sa SM Supermarket pero kailangan ay eighteen at may valid ID.

I need to be extra careful. My uncle is lurking and he's just waiting to pounce. Baka mapahamak pa ako katulad ng nangyari kay Auntie Alona.

Dumating kami ng bahay namin. I couldn't wait to get inside. I have this intense paranoia that my uncle would appear and would do something bad to me.