Before I Fall in LOVE

Chapter 10: Smile

KASSANDRA's POV

As I submerged under the surface of the musty smelling water, I felt the coldness of it, tingles me all the way inside. I was continuously flailing my arms and trying to grab the surface to gasp for air. But the fear that consumed me made it difficult for me to control my body and paddle my way out to the surface.

I am struggling for breath and suffocated by thin air. Until I can no longer move my arms and just holding my breath. I am aware that this lack of oxygen will make me lose my consciousness. Still, my body is involuntarily holding my breath, afraid that the water will enter and choke me to death. Then seconds later, my breathing has stopped.

I just stared at the light that's coming from above while slowly sinking to the bottom; shouting subconsciously for help. Then little by little, my eyes shut and eveything went black.

As my eyes flung open, I found myself gasping for air and almost cough when I took a double deep breath. Gosh! That felt real! I thought I was really drowning! It felt terrible and scary! I clutched my chest and continued breathing heavily while remembering my dream.

I closed my eyes once more and inhaled deeply before opening them again and calmed myself. This time I succeeded.

I looked around and frowned, this is not my room. 'Where am I?'

Kinabahan tuloy ako sa isiping hindi pamilyar sa 'kin ang lugar kung nasaan ako ngayon. Nagpalinga-linga ako sa kabuuan ng silid hanggang sa maisipan kong bumaba sa kama at sumilip sa bintana nito.

But before I could take a step, I realized I was wearing a pyjamas. 'Kanino naman 'to? And why am I wearing this?' I can't even remember that I have pyjamas like this but this fits me nicely.

Habang nagtataka kung nasaan na nga ba ako at bakit ganito ang suot ko ay naisipan kong sumilip sa labas pero lalo lamang nangunot ang noo ko. 'Bakit parang pamilyar ang lugar na ito? Those trees, the surroundings?'

Kahit naguguluhan ay natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili ko na palabas ng k'warto. Dahan-dahan kong sinara ang pinto and walked down the hallway in search of someone I can ask about.

After a long walk, I have reached the grand staircase leading to an elegant living room. I was in awe while descending the stairs and admiring the exquisite interior of the place. Whoever lives here, surely knows what wealth really means.

Nagpalinga-linga ako pagkababa ko when I heard people chattering at a distance. So I followed the noise and my feet brought me to a dining room.

Sabay-sabay namang napalingon sa gawi ko ang mga taong nakaupo sa hapag-kainan at pawang mga nagulat nang makita ako.

"Dara, hija! You're awake!" A lovely woman stood up from her seat and came to me at once. Halos mapanganga naman ako nang makalapit ito at mapagtanto ko kung gaano siya kaganda. "Are you feeling, okay? Bakit bumangon ka na?" sunod-sunod na tanong nito.

Hindi ko tuloy malaman ang isasagot ko lalo na nang igiya niya ko sa may hapag at paupuin sa harap ni Zion.

Titig na titig naman sa 'kin si Zion habang ako ay tila natulala naman dahil sa mga pangyayari. 'Are they his parents?'

"Dara, okay ka na ba?" tanong nito habang bakas sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala.

Tumikhim pa muna ako bago siya sinagot, "Yeah." Saka inilibot ang paningin ko sa paligid. "Where's Ate Annie?"

"She's still at the site. May aasikasuhin pa raw," sagot naman nito. Saka ako marahang pinagsandok ng soup at inilapag iyon sa harap ko. "Eat," kapagkuway utos nito.