Only Hope (A DustPao BL)

Chapter 3

Ani's POV

I walked for hours and hours. I was getting tired. I had no place to go. I needed to find a place to rest. I also needed to eat. I continued walking until I found a small carinderia. I entered and ordered some food. I sat down and ate for a while. I paid for my food and left. I continued walking once more. I was looking for a good spot to settle down for the night. I found a closed storefront where some other people were also sleeping. I placed my bag on the floor and used it as a pillow. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

''Hoy! Umalis kayo dyan! Bawal dito!" Sigaw ng isang Guard.

I woke up with a start when I heard the shouts. I quickly get up and grab my bag. I run so that I wouldn't get caught by the guard. I ran until I was a safe distance away from the storefront. I decided to head to the market to work and earn money.

I immediately start working when I arrive at the market. It was a different feeling for me working today since I didn't have to worry about getting beat up by my deadbeat father. However, I thought about my little sister, Bebe Dang. I wondered how she was doing and who was taking care of her.

At the end of the day, I decided to scavenge for junk to sell. It would never hurt to have more money. After selling the junk and earning a bit more extra cash, I walked around again. I needed to look for another place to stay.

I found a park bench near a church. There was no one else around. I used my bag as a pillow once again. I closed my eyes and went to sleep. Someone shook me awake. It was a guard.

"Bawal matulog dyan, bata. Halika sumama ka sa akin." Sabi nung guard na nakahawak sa arm ko.

"Ayaw ko pong sumama sa inyo." Sabi ko habang sinusubukan kong pumiglas sa hawak niya.

"Sumama ka na." Sabi nung guard.

There was nothing I could do, I had to go with him. The guard took me to a police station. Inside, the guard talked to an officer at the front desk. The guard then left. The officer looked at me kindly and told me to sit down. I complied.

"Anong pangalan mo?" Tanong nung mamang pulis.

"Ani Perez po." Sagot ko.

"At ilang taon ka na, Ani?" Tanong niya.

"16 po." Sagot ko.

"Nasaan ang mga magulang mo?" Tanong niya.

"Patay na po ang nanay ko." Sabi ko.

"Eh, ang tatay mo, asaan?" Tanong niya.

"Nasa amin po." Sabi ko.

"Ani, lumayas ka ba sa inyo?" Tanong niya.

"Opo." Sagot ko.

"Bakit ka lumayas sa inyo?" Tanong niya.

"Kasi po, pinagmamalupitan ako ng tatay ko. At kapag hindi ako lumayas baka patayin niya ako." Sabi ko.

"Ani, alam mo ba na delikado sa daan ngayon lalo na para sa isang batang katulad mo?" Tanong niya.

"Opo, alam ko po." Sabi ko.

"Ayaw mong bumalik sa tatay mo?" Tanong niya.

"Ayaw po." Sabi ko.

"Ani, kailangan kong tumawag sa dswd." Sabi niya.

"Huwag po." Pakiusap ko.

"Meron ka bang kamaganak na pwedeng sumundo sa iyo dito?" Tanong niya.