ONE SHOT STORIES

(105) VOICES

"Daddy, how do I look? Am I beautiful?" I sweetly smiled, as I show him my new dress.

"You're gorgeous, Syra! My little princess is now a lady."

"Thank you Daddy! I love you!"

"I love you too my Princess,"

"Syra! Bumaba ka dito! Dinner is ready!" sigaw ni mommy.

"Wait lang Mommy!" sigaw ko pabalik, napatingin ako kay Daddy, "Tara na Daddy?"

"Mauna ka na princess, susunod ako,"

"Sure Daddy, sunod ka ah?"

Ngumiti at tumango lang si Daddy, nauna na akong bumaba baka biglang magalit ulit si Mommy.

"Ba't ba ang tagal mo? Masamang pinaghihintay ang pagkain, Syra,"

"I'm sorry Mommy, I was busy talking to Daddy, and I showed him my dress. He said I'm gorgeous and he's going to eat with us–"

"Stopped Syra!" Mommy shouted.

"Why Mommy? Are you mad at Daddy? Can we eat again together like we used to do before?"

"We can't do that!"

"Tell me why!" I shouted too.

"Co'z you're Daddy died 5 years ago! So stop dreaming, Syra! He's gone! He's dead, understand?"

"I'm not dreaming! Kausap ko lang siya kanina! He's not dead yet! He's not!"

Isang malakas na sampal ang ibinigay sa akin nito. Agad akong umakyat sa kuwarto ko at hinanap si Daddy.

"Syra! We're not done yet!"

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Where are you now?" Please tell Mommy you're still alive! Tell them!"

No one answered. I can't help myself to burst in tears.

"Daddy, come back here! Mommy is mad at me now..."

Meanwhile in their dining hall. Naiwang umiiling si Arliz–ang Mommy ni Syra.

"She's hallucinating again,"

"Bakit mo shinampal shi ate?"

Nagulat siya sa isang munting tinig na biglang nagsalita sa likod niya.

"And who are you little boy?"

"Don't you remember me?"

Kumunot agad ang noo ni Arliz.

"Who are you again?"

"Aww shad mommy, you just forgot your baby boy,"

"But I don't have... Oh no! Don't tell me–"

"I'm the baby died in your womb in that car accident Mommy,"

"No... matagal ka nang nawala! Paano ka nabuhay?"

"Nabuhay? But Mommy, patay ka na din 5 years ago,"

Then Arliz realized, she's with her husband car also going to vacation but accident happened and they were dead on the spot.

"Hello Hydra!"

"Hey, Viena? What's up?"

"I heard them again,"

"Who?"

"My neighbor duh! I hear them shouting over something and Syra is crying now. Whose with her ba? I thought her family died in a car accident?"

"Syra?"

"Yes! Kadikit na kuwarto ko! 'Di ba nga, we have connected terrace kaya literally I heard her cries!"

"But–"

"What?"

"You don't have neighbors Viena, that house is for sale, remember?"

"W-what are you talking about? Syra is still there in her room, crying..."

"They all died in a car accident! And..."

No. So? Why I am hearing their voice? Why me...

"And what? Is there anything you wanted to say? Speak Hydra..."

"Don't call me again..."

"Why? Nakakaistorbo na ba ako? Kasalanan ko ba na naririnig ko sila sa mga oras na 'to?"

"No... Viena... I'm..."

"W-what?"

"Don't you remember? I died last year, right?"

Bigla ko na lang nabitawan ang telepono. Why I'm hearing those voices? Geez. Creepy!

"Mommy!" sigaw ko at nagmadaling lumabas ng k'warto!