Something Beyond The Silence

Prologue

Prologue

I've always been the type of person who distance myself from people. Not because I have trust issues. It's just more quiet.

Noong elementary at high school ay maraming nagtataka kung bakit lagi akong mag-isa. People thought that I don't have friends and I don't know how to talk to others.

I was even labeled as a loner because apparently that's what society decided to call people who find peace at being alone.

I really don't mind hearing them calling me a loner. The annoying part was when they kept on asking me why am I a loner.

Umm... Hello? To avoid this kind of situation?

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi malinaw sa tao na gusto ko ang desisyon ko na manahimik at makinig na lang. I'm not mad at them, it's just... tiring. I'm so tired of explaining.

I just want silence.

Having people around was fun and all but it's draining. I usually stop thinking properly if everything is too much, if everything is an in-your-face moment. I hated it when there's way too much happenings. It's confusing.

"A. T. H. Y. L. The word introvert should be spelled that way." Sabi ng half sister ko na si Gail.

Napairap ako. "You wouldn't get it." Sabi ko nang nakahilata ako ngayon sa kama niya habang siya ay naglalagay ng mga damit sa walk in closet.

She just came home from London kung saan siya nag-aral. She decided to go home after graduating college.

Gail is four years older than me. Anak siya ni dad sa ibang babae but my mom is nice enough to take care of an abandoned child, kahit pa na nasaktan siya ni dad. We grew up together. Tinuring ni mom si Gail na tila sa kanya siya nanggaling. It may have tainted her relationship with my father pero hindi niya ibinaling ang galit at sakit na naramdaman sa aking kapatid.

Hanggang ngayon ay may lamat pa rin and relasyon ng aming magulang. Hindi nila ipinakikita pero ramdam namin ito.

That's why Gail decided to study abroad. Akala niya ay makakatulong ito sa pag-aayos ng relasyon nila. But it was still the same, baka nga lumala pa. Umuwi na rin siya rito sa Pilipinas dahil iyon ang gusto ni mom, she wanted her panganay with her.

Lumabas si Gail mula sa closet at nagtungo sa luggage niya na nasa lapag. She folded her clothes on the bed.

"Athyl, hon, you're literally the personified stereotype of introvert. Like, come on, live a little." Maarte niyang sabi. I also just noticed her slight british accent. She probably adapt it from living there for several years.

Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya. Naupo na rin ako ng maayos sa kama para maharap siya. "Look, your thing is hella tiring. Ako, mas nag-eenjoy ako ng payapa. Excerting a lot of energy? Not for me. That's not fun at all."

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago bumalik sa pagtitiklop. She stood up para maglagay pa ng damit sa closet niya. "Guess you're the definition of boring as well."

"Excuse me?!"

Marahas akong umiling sa sinabi niya. I also groaned as I lay back unto her bed.

I'm really offended with what she just said.

"Not because I don't like parties means I'm boring." I defended.

Lumabas muli siya sa closet, tapos na magsauli ng mga damit. "You're missing a lot because you don't like parties. When was even the last time you felt hype and excited? Never? Then, you really are boring." Aniya habang sinara ang malaking luggage at itinayo para itulak papasok ng closet.