Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

WALANG TIGIL ANG luha ko. Tila lumulutang ang pakiramdam ko at nawawala, 'di alam saan papatungo.

I snapped out of my reverie, clutching my phone tightly as I walked straight ahead.

"Ma'am, ayos lang kayo?" ani ng empleyadong nakapansin sa 'kin, but the tears continued to stream down my cheeks.

No... I might just be dreaming. This isn't possible. Nagsisinungaling lang ang kausap ko!

Buhay ang tatay ko!

I tried raising my trembling hands to hail a taxi pero nilagpasan nila ako. My mouth parted, my breathing labored as I struggled to catch my breath.

"K-Kuya!" I desperately called out for a cab but failed.

I saw people getting cabs on the other side of the road. Without thinking, I crossed, walang pakialam sa mga nakakasilaw na headlights ng mga matulin na sasakyan, ang tanging nasa isip lang ay ang makatawag ng taxi.

My eyes were swollen from crying, my vision blurred, when a loud horn made me freeze. Nang lingunin ko iyon ay nakita ko ang humaharurot sa sasakyan, sunod-sunod ang busino.

Gusto kong tumakbo pero natulos lang ako, 'di makapag-isip ng mabilis hanggang sa naramdaman ko na lang ang marahas na hila sa 'kin pabalik sa gilid ng kalsada.

Naipikit ko ang mata nang tumama ako kung saan.

"S-Sera..." That familiar soft voice called and that's when I shut down entirely and cried.

My hands trembled, my sobs grew louder, and his embrace tightened around me.

"Sshh, baby..." he hushed. I cried harder, pushing him away, but he kept pulling me against his chest.

"B-Bitawan mo ako!" I wailed, trying to pull away.

"N-No..."

Nang nilingon ko siya't nabakas ko ang namumula at takot niyang mga mata.

"Huwag mo akong hawakan! B-Bitawan mo ako!" I exclaimed.

"I won't," he said desperately, refusing to let go.

I cried harder, pounding his chest. I'm sure it hurt but he endured it, trying to calm me.

"A-Are you alright? N-Nasaktan ka ba?" He tried to cup my cheek, but I pushed his hand away.

"B-Bitawan mo ako! Kailangan kong puntahan ang tatay ko!" I screamed desperately.

Nakita ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya. Pumikit siya ng mariin.

"Y-You have to calm down, Sera. Pupuntahan natin siya—"

"Bitawan mo ako!" I cried. "W-Wala naman kayong pakialam, 'di ba?! Dapat masaya ka pa nga!"

"No!" He shook his head. "No, baby, please..."

I weakened when he held my face, staring at me intently.

"Pupuntahan natin siya..." kalmado niyang sinabi.

"B-Buhay pa ang tatay ko..." I murmured, looking at him desperately. "R-Rai... buhay pa si Tatay ko, 'di ba?"

I searched his eyes for hope, but all I saw was pain.

"T-Tell me, please, buhay siya, 'di ba?" My voice trembled. "Rai!" I tugged his shirt. "S-Sabihin mo... sabihin mo sa aking buhay pa ang Tatay ko!"

He stared at me, sighing, and slowly shook his head.

"I-I'm sorry," he whispered, looking down.

I gasped and shoved him away.