That Sweet 16th Wish ✔

CHAPTER 9

That Sweet 16th Wish
Chapter 9

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Nykei's P. O. V

I sighed as I plopped on my bed. Hinilot ko ang sentido ko at pumikit. These past few days, our situation becomes more hard to fix. I feel like they're hiding something from me. What confuses me the most is why they kept it for so long.

I thought I knew my friends, but turns out may mga hindi pa pala ako nalalaman.

I felt a pair of small hands massaging my head. Napamulat ako at biglaang bumangon dahil do'n. As I expected, it was the kid from the other night.

"Eva are you okay?" concerned nitong tanong. I don't know why but her presence makes me feel relieved. It lifts up my mood for no reason.

I sighed at napayuko. Am I okay? Sa lahat ng mga nangyayari ngayon, okay pa rin ba ako? Kaya ko pa ba?

Umiling ako, "I don't know anymore."

"Why? What's bothering you... Nykei?" she asked. I smiled bitterly as tears started forming in my eyes, "I feel like a bad friend. I don't know what's happening to them nor to myself."

I hugged my knees and cried quietly as she stroked my hair.

"Everything will be okay, Nykei. Time will come and they'll tell you what you need to know. Just have faith in them, okay?" she said before hugging me. Her words are just like what I would say to myself.

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko at tinignan ang bata. Her face is now somehow familiar, and its familiarity brings me calmness.

"I'll be here for you," sabi pa nito. I smiled at tumango, "Thank you—"

"Nykei?" Napalingon ako sa pintuan. Tala was standing there with sa creased forehead.

Napaayos ako ng upo at humarap sa kaniya, "Bakit ka napapunta?"

She looked around the room before fixating her eyes on me.

"I heard you talking. Akala ko may kasama ka dito sa kwarto," sabi niya bago lumapit at tumabi sa 'kin. I looked around. Wala na yung bata.

"I was just—" napakagat labi ako at agad nag-isip ng palusot, "talking on the phone."

Mukha namang nagtataka ang mukha ni Tala habang nakatingin sa 'kin. Agad din namang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya at tumango na lang, "Okay, I was just worried."

Tumango na lang rin ako. She sighed. Palihim kong tinignan ang sarili ko— si Tala. I don't want them to suffer anymore. Kailangan ko nang mag-isip ng iba pang paraan bukod sa mag-antay ng kaarawan ng ibang tao.

Tala looked at me, her eyes are tired. She's slowly giving up. I can feel her. I can see right through her. Isa siya sa mga pinakamatatag na kilala ko and yet our situation weakens her.

"Nykei?"

"Hmm?"

She stopped for a moment before shaking her head, "Nothing. Magpahinga ka na."

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Chapter 9
Issues of the Past

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Aize's P. O. V

A pound from the cabinet once again woke me from my sleep. Each night it's getting more aggressive. Nagpanggap akong tulog but that couldn't hide the fact that I'm shaking from fear. I don't think I can keep this act any longer.