This is How We End (Published under Pop Fiction)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I could still taste death in my mouth when I open my eyes. My surroundings started to spin and as I lay hopeless on the bed, I wondered if I could ever get rid of the fear of the townspeople that is now housing my chest and penetrating my heart.

"Ate Naia..."

Groggily, I sat up on bed. The room smelled of lavender and honey. The familiar tune of the beach waves told me that I am not in a hospital, the way I expected it to. I am inside a room, and on a couch pushed against the alabaster-white wall, is Zeus sleeping with only a wool blanket on. He looks tired. His hair is messy and dark circles are starting to form under his eyes. His firm, unsmiling mouth is set into a thin line.

"Ate Naia..." pag-uulit ni Levi. He stared down at me, sitting on the rattan chair next to my bed. "Gising ka na ba?"

My hands automatically went to my hair and to my horror, I couldn't feel my hijab or any scarf on. I buried my fingers on my hair and felt a thick bandage surrounding my temples.

"Where's my hijab, Levi?"

"Napunit po nung dinumog kayo ng mga tao sa bahay ninyo..."

I felt like crying. Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya at hindi rin ako mapakali.

"Naia?" Zeus jolted awake and immediately rose to his feet. Halos takbuhin niya na ang pagitan mula sa couch na hinihigaan at sa kama ko, gayong hindi naman ito gaanong kalayo. His face is etched with worry and concern.

"Are you okay? Still hurting?"

Hindi rin ako makatingin sa kaniya. I lowered my head in shame.

"Naia?" untag sa akin ni Zeus. He touched my arm and the slightest skin contact made me jump a bit. Zeus cursed when he realized the root cause of my misery.

"I'll get my scarf from my room," he said, then quickly disappeared.

I clutched my chest and brought my trembling hands to my lap, staring silently at the bruises and the cuts. I then suddenly remembered Mama Normillah. I turned sharply to Levi.

"W-Where's my mother?"

"She's resting next room. Dalawang beses ka na niyang binisita simula nang magising siya." Ani Levi. "Pasensiya na, ate, at hindi namin nakuha ang hijab mo. Alalang-alala kami sa iyo dahil dumudugo ang ulo mo kaya nakaligtaan na namin iyon."

I shook my head weakly. "I see no need for an apology, Levi."

Zeus appeared on the door a few seconds later, a checkered scarf on his hand. "I really couldn't see any other scarf..." he said, handing it to me. "Sorry. I'll buy you a proper hijab later."

"Salamat, Zeus." I smiled tightly at him, relieved that I could finally veil myself. I wrapped the scarf around my head and tucked the ends together. Feeling satisfied, I could finally gaze at the Ferrer brothers. "Tulog pa ba ang Mama-jan ko? Kumusta siya?"

"She's okay, Naia. You got it worse than her." Zeus said in a controlled anger, clenching and unclenching his fists. "My Dad had already charged the townspeople who ransacked your home and attacked the two of you."

I nodded silently. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nangyari iyon sa amin, gayong wala naman kaming ginagawang masama. We were just trying to live a peaceful life until the incident happened. And now, none of the townspeople could look at us without a hint of hatred, of disgust, and worse, of fear. They stare at us, alarmed that one of us will try and kill them again. They see nothing but a bunch of murderers in us.