One-Shot Stories Compilation (Part Three)

NINETEEN

STRANGER'S HUG

"Ang sakit siguro talaga ng nararanasan mo," Sambit niya habang kinakalikot ang kaniyang daliri.

"Haha. How did you say so? Wala ka namang alam sa past ko ah? You don't even know my name yet," I said as I stared at the beautiful sky full of stars.

"Your eyes tells what you feel. It's too dark. Hindi ko nga matitigan ang mata mo, I'm afraid I'll feel the same." He also stared at the sky and showed his little smile.

"We just met today, bakit mo ako sinasamahan ngayon? Wala ka bang ibang gagawin?" I asked him. I'm really curious why he accompanied me here in the rooftop.

"I was mesmerized by your dark, lifeless eyes. I wondered, ano kayang nasa isip mo? Anong nangyari? Mga ganong tanong ang pumasok sa utak ko nang makita kita sa front desk," He whispered but enough for me to hear, he's still looking at the sky.

"I just realized that my life is really a mess." I started to speak about my situation. Well, it's not bad to open up to a stranger, right?

He looked at me and I know that he's waiting for me to continue so I did.

"I never heard good things about me since I was a child. I'm not a competitive student, I'm not good at arts, dancing, singing, I'm just not good at anything. My family is always scolding me for being a headache. My so-called friends even betrayed me. My pet died yesterday, and it just added a crack to my heart. Alam mo ba 'yong feeling na basag na basag ka na pero wala kang choice kundi magpanggap na buo ka, walang problema, at hindi nasasaktan? I always managed to hide everything with my smile, I deceived everyone, except you." I started to cry, I can't help it.

What I am feeling right now is too much. I can't handle it for today. I guess, I should take a break from wearing my mask. I'm thankful that this stranger is with me tonight.

He suddenly hugged me which made me cry harder. I felt like I found my favorite pillow again. I found myself comfortable with his hug. I'm comfortable with a stranger's hug.

"Everything's gonna be okay. Believe me." He said while patting my back, it made my stop from crying. I thanked him and he smiled at me. Something's weird with his smile.

"Anong pangalan mo?" Tanong ko nang tuluyan na akong mahimasmasan. Tumalikod ako sandali upang ayusin ang sarili pero pagharap ko ay wala na sya sa tabi ko.

I looked around, at nahanap ko siya na nakatayo sa gilid ng building. Delikado roon, isang maling galaw niya ay maaari siyang mahulog.

"Hoy, delikado diyan! Halika rito." Pag-aaya kong muli sa kaniya na maupo. I still don't know his name.

Tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti bago muling tumingin sa baba. What's with him?

"I'm good at wearing masks everyday, just like you. But no one ever knew what I am feeling. Thank you for tonight, you should overcome your problems, okay? By the way, I'm Phrino. Salamat ha."

I screamed my lungs out when he suddenly jumped. I was shocked that I couldn't moved. I just found myself crying again.

How coward am I for not knowing that he's also just like me?

He's also falling apart.

He's also dying inside.

We are just the same.

Tatalon rin ba ako?

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Sorry for grammatical errors.