Spellbound

〉chapitre O4

04 : Lucas Escarian

"Who are you?" tanong ko sa mansanas na lalaki na kanina pa nakatingin sa akin. It felt weird. He's indeed weird. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas pero nandoon pa rin siya at pinapanood ang ekspresyon ko. And then, he walked towards me slowly, like a lion pacing teasingly to his poor prey. Dahil doon ay lalong lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko. A-anong gagawin niya?

The corners of his lips turned up as if he was enjoying my tense reaction. Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao, handa na para suntukin siya. What the fuck is he thinking? He continue walking.. until he was only inches away from me.

Hindi ako makahinga. Ang kaninang nakakuyom kong kamao ay hindi ko magalaw dahil sa sobrang lapit niya. I can smell his goddamn breathe and that itself makes my knees go. As hard as it was to try and hold my breath, I still did. There's something about him that was telling me to be tough even if it's not necessary to.

Nagsimula ng manakit ang aking katawan dahil sa mga suntok na nakuha ko sa mga lalaking gusto kaming bugbugin. Gusto na ring bumigay ng mga binti ko dahil sa sobrang lapit ng mukha niya sa akin. His intense stares are starting to weaken my senses.. my bones... my wall.

Hinawakan niya ang gilid ng kaniyang salamin. One moment, I thought he was going to pull out his weird sunglasses. I thought I was going to see his face but then my eyes suddenly felt heavy.. and heavier..

And then I felt his warm body holding me close to him while calling my name with his melodious voice.

"Merida.. you need to wake up, Anak." My mother smiled while caressing my cheeks. The moment I opened my eyes, I knew It was my mom. She's my mom. I always knew.. I always recognized her sweet scent and her warm hand feels like it was real, like she was real.

Gusto ko siyang yakapin. Gusto kong gumalaw. Gusto kong tumayo at sumama sa kaniya but something was restraining me.

"Mom, take me with you. Please.." I begged, crying. My hands are trying to reach her face but I was completely paralyzed. Pinunasan ni mom ang aking mga luha bago umiling.

"It's not your time yet, Merida. Your father.. your father is-"

My senses woke when the door creaked open. Waking up is really harsh, especially when your dreams are way better than reality.

I dreamed about mom. Kahit matagal na panahon simula nung huli ko siyang nakita aya alam ko.. alam kong si mom 'yon. That same sweet voice.. her scent. Everything feels home.

"Is she awake?" a familiar deep voice asked. I tried to maintain my stillness. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan ko pang magpanggap na natutulog pero sinunod ko nalang ang iniisip ko.

"Hindi pa, Lucas. Nagpapahinga pa ang kaibigan mo," an old woman replied.

"She's not my friend.. let's go, Might."

Nang marinig kong nagsarado ang pinto ay agad akong dumilat. I was panting really hard. Parang habang nakapikit ako ay hindi ko naisip na huminga.

"Iha!" hinawakan ng matandang babae ang likod ko at dahan-dahang hinimas. Pinapakalma niya ako. "Ayos ka na ba?" mahinahong tanong niya.

Hindi ako sumagot.

"May cellphone ka ba na pwedeng ipantawag sa magulang mo para malaman nila na maayos ka?" tanong muli ito.

Dahil doon ay unti-unting nanlabo ang paningin ko at sumunod ang maiinit na likido mag-unahan pababa sa aking pisngi. I am not emotional until this day. This old woman hit my sensitive nerve so much. Even if I try to hide my weak side someone will just find it and break it. Gusto kong magsalita. Gusto kong ibuka ang bibig ko. I wanted to tell her that know... they always know that I'm fine. Pero hindi ko mabuka ang bibig ko at nararamdaman kong pipiyok lang ako kapag pinilit kong magsalita.