Alexandria Montecillo

L - Save Me

       "Hi pretty girl. What's your name?" I pouted at the girl standing infront of me. She's looking at me happily.

       She's standing near the counter, waiting and on a queue. Maybe she will buy her own cake, too. Andito kasi kami sa favorite coffee shop ni Mommy, kasi sabi nila Kuya Yohan we will buy Mom her favorite muffins.

       My brothers are already at the other side of the counter, waiting for our order. Dapag magwe-wait lang ako sa car kaso nakita ko itong pretty lady. I cannot let this opportunity pass by.

       "Alexandria. My name is Alexandria Montecillo." She nodded at my response, her smile still looking vibrant... and I would really love it about her if not for her eyes... Yung eyes kasi niya kabaliktaran ng smile niya, it doesn't look happy at all. Mommy always tell me that our eyes will not lie, they will always show what we really feel. I didn't understand that... not until today.

       "That's such a beautiful name. Are you here alone?" I shook my head as a response.

       "I see. Is there anything I can help you with?" Maybe she's wondering why I approached her. Maybe she knows who my family is, maybe she don't.

       "You..." I pouted because I couldn't finish my sentence. I don't know how to tell her, because it might scare her.

       "Me? Do you want to know my name? I'll tell you then. My name is..."

       I quickly cut her off before she can even mutter one single letter. Kaso mukhang wrong ang ginawa ko.

       "I know your secret, I know what happened to you. I know what he did to you." As if on cue, her smile quickly faded. Her face turned serious and pale, like she just lost all her blood.

        Tumalim din bigla ang tingin niya sa akin kaya napaatras ako. Napalunok din ako bigla dahil sa takot.

       I know it's bad of me to blurt it out like that. I know she's angry. I didn't mean to do it that way, but the damage has already been done. I scared her already.

       "I'm sorry–" Hindi ko na rin natapos ang sinasabi ko dahil nag-martsa na siya palabas ng coffee shop. Gusto ko sana siyang habulin kaso alam kong haharangin din ako ng mga security personnel.

       I just sighed as I look at her leaving. It's a wrong move. I just lost a great opportunity.

       Naiwan nalang akong nakatayo at nakatingin sa kanya. I didn't know for how long, basta nagulat nalang ako nasa tabi ko na sila Kuya at niyayaya na ako palabas ng coffee shop.

~ ~

        Blood. Bodies.

       There are blood and bodies everywhere.

       Napa-upo nalang ako sa likod ng malaking tree at napayakap sa tuhod ko. Fear is starting to consume me. Gusto ko man maging strong hindi ko naman kaya. Isinubsob ko nalang ang mukha ko sa tuhod ko at umiyak.

       "Mommy. I want to go to Mommy." Paulit-ulit ko nalang iyong binubulong sa sarili ko. It's really scary here, and I just want to go home. I want to go to Mommy and Daddy. I want to go to my Kuyas.

       I don't know how many minutes has passed, all I can do is cry. Mamaya lang magsta-start na mag-gabi. Gusto ko na umuwi. Natatakot na ako rito.

       "Alexandria?" Huh?

       "Alexandria, oh no! What happened to you?" Inangat ko ang ulo ko at pinunasan ko agad ang mukha ko gamit ang hands ko. Medyo malabo pa ang face ng taong nasa harapan ko dahil sa tears na nakaharang sa mga mata ko, pero nakilala ko rin naman siya agad.