Twisted Crafts

13th Craft

The Gifted

"Will you believe me if I told you that I am actually seeing ghosts, Kiera?" napailing na lang ako habang nagbabasa ng libro dito sa library dahil sa sinabi ni Warren. I really want to burst out into laughter but I chose not to because I know he will be mad again.

"Oh tapos?" sagot ko na parang interesadong interesado. Hindi kasi ako kaagad naniniwala sa mga ganitong bagay. We're already in the 21st century to believe in those kind of stuffs. I will not believe in the existence of ghost, aliens, mermaids or vampires unless it was perceived by my own eyes.

"It all started when I was a first year highschool. Doon sa luma naming bahay alam mo naman na mayroong nagpakamatay di'ba? I saw that image of a woman hanging herself in the ceiling. Tapos minsan pa, nararamdaman ko na lang na tumatabi s'ya sa akin.  That's the reason why we moved here in Pampanga."

Hindi ko maiwasang kilabutan ng sabihin n'ya 'yon. Just by imagining what he said, gusto ko na kaagad mapasigaw sa takot kahit hindi ko alam kung totoo ba 'yon.

"Warren, are you busy? Gagawa sana tayo ng group report." wika ni Aika kaya't natigil ang kaibigan ko sa pagkwekwento.

"Is it okay, Ki?" tanong n'ya sa'kin kaya't nakangiti akong tumango. She don't need to ask permission to me dahil unang una, hindi ko naman boyfriend si Warren. Another thing, it was her that he likes and not me.

Nagligpit na ako ng mga gamit ko bago tumingin kay Warren.

"Sabay na lang tayong umuwi mamaya." paalam ko na sinang ayunan naman n'ya.

After our classes, it became our usual habit to wait for each other before going home. Habang naglalakad kami papauwi, magkwekwento na naman s'ya sa akin ng kung ano anong nakakatakot na experiences n'ya. Maybe I need to get used at his weird personality.

"Do you believe in what I am saying?" he asked for countless times and what I'm going to do is to just nod my head to cut our nonsense conversation.

"Warren!" tawag ko sa kanya ng mahuli ko itong tulala sa P.E Class namin. We're here in the field watching the football game while he's just silently sitting on the bench.

"Where did you go?" he seems a little bit mad after asking those.

"Well, I cheered for my crush. I'm proud to say that they won the game." pagmamayabang ko. Nakangiting sumulyap ulit ako kay Elon na ngayon ay pawis na pawis habang umiinom ng tubig.

"Umuwi na tayo." aniya.

I took a glance at my wrist watch. It's too early to go home.

"Why don't we watch Aika in the gymnasium?" after I said those, parang naging interesado naman s'ya. Aika is the cheerleading captain of their squad. Narinig ko kahapon na may practice daw sila ngayon.

"Alright." sagot n'ya. I knew it! His crush is one of his weaknesses.

"You know what, I felt that Aika also likes you. She told me the last time that you're his ideal type. Instead of thinking about other weird stuffs, why don't you make a move? I mean, ligawan mo na di'ba? I will definitely help you." wika ko. Instead of getting happy, natahimik na lang ito. I don't know what's running on his mind right now.

As days passes, mas lalong nagiging weird and personality n'ya. He often became quiet and distant to others. I tried my best to reach for him even if he told me that he wants to be alone.
Madalas kong napapansin na malalim ang iniisip n'ya. Maybe it has something to do with the ghosts that he's seeing.

Dumadating din sa point na nasasagad na din ang pasensya ko dahil ang hirap intindihin ng ugali n'ya. Maybe other people are thinking that I'm also weird for having a friend like him. I have no choice but to confront Aika. Nakakahiya tuloy kapag naabala ko pa s'ya sa practice n'ya.

"Girls, I'll be back." paalam n'ya sa iba pang mga cheerleaders. I didn't mean to disturb her. I'm just concerned to Warren dahil maski ako ay hindi na din n'ya kinakausap.

"Aika, can you do me a favor?" I asked. I told her everything about Warren. I am right when I felt that she also likes my friend because she accepted my favor.

"No problem, Ki." nakangiting sagot n'ya.

The following days, madalas ko na silang nakikitang magkasama. I don't know why I felt jealous seeing them together. It bothers me a lot kaya't hindi ako makapagfocus sa ginagawa ko.

"You seems very distracted today, Keira." wika ni Josh kaya't naguilty tuloy ako. I can't think of anything today. I can't even compose even a single sentence.

"It's alright. We can continue tomorrow." aniya. Mabuti na lang at s'ya 'yong nakapartner ko. He's very understanding. He told me to just rest so we continue our report the next day.

After our classes, nagulat ako kasi naghihintay pala sa'kin si Warren. I really miss him a lot. Halos isang linggo din kaming hindi nagsabay umuwi at nag usap.

"How are you?" he asked. I just smiled at him. I don't want to admit that I felt jealous seeing him and Aika together.

"Let's have a dinner. I'll cook for you." he invited. Hindi ko naman maiwasang manibago. This is very unusual. He never invited me to go to their house eversince we became friends. This is the first time.

With a bewilthered expression, I don't know why I didn't decline his offer.

Pagkarating namin sa loob ng bahay nila, doon na ako nagsimulang kabahan. No one is here except for the two of us.

"Do you want me to prove you that I'm actually seeing ghosts, Keira?" he said. I don't like the way he stared at me. Mas lalo akong kinakabahan.

"Y-you're creeping me out. Stop being weird!" sigaw ko. Hindi ko na s'ya makilala ngayon. Tama nga siguro yung usap usapan ng mga kaklase ko na parang nababaliw na s'ya.

I pity him for acting this way.

"You will only believe me if it's perceive by your own two eyes, Keira. I'll show you then."

I'm really scared upon hearing those from him.

Maybe the reason why he brought me here in their house is to force me to believe in him. Ano na naman bang nakakatakot na pangyayari ang naganap sa bahay na 'to? Is there any suicide incident again? Murder case? Serial killers? Nakikita n'ya ba ulit yung mga kaluluwa ng mga taong namatay na?

I am slowly moving back habang papalapit s'ya sa akin. Hanggang sa bumangga ako sa isang bagay. When I look at it, it was a full length mirror.

Gan'on na lang ang pagkagulat ko dahil sa nakita ko. Walang lumabas na salita sa bibig ko habang nakatingin ako sa salamin. Nanginginig ang mga labi ko ng tumingin ulit ako kay Warren.

"I'd rather want to hear others calling me weird and crazy rather than being called selfish, Keira." I can feel the deep sadness, pain and longing after he said those.

"W-what's the m-meaning of this?" I cried upon realizing something.

I am the damn reason why he can't have a normal life. Hindi ako makapaniwala dahil sa napagtanto ko.

"This is not true! You're not the only one who can see me right?" my voice cracked.

"Aika and Josh can see you too. The three of us are all gifted for seeing your soul. I don't consider my ability as a curse. It's actually a gift that gave me chance to be with you, Keira. I really love you and I will always blamed myself for not being by your side when the car accident happened. I don't want to be selfish anymore. We should help you leave."

Muli akong napatingin sa salamin. I have no reflection.

Umiiyak akong tumingin kay Warren, nagbabakasakali.

"H-how will I believe you?"

Mas lalo s'yang lumapit s'ya sa'kin. My hands are trembling as I tried to wiped his tears but I can't touch him.

"Believe me because you're actually the ghost that I'm seeing each day, Keira. You died 5 years ago and your soul deserves to rest in peace."