Behind That Mellifluous Melody

3

Warning: This chapter contains sexual harassment. [ Val's trauma ]

I've been busy practicing piano and my academic requirements. Doing both was difficult, exhausting. But it was enjoyable, especially it is my passion. I've always dreamed of becoming an artist.

I even wrote some songs but I feel like it wasn't enough, it's kinda --- dull. To fanthom my emotions into words, it's what I like to produced. I wanted to make musics that are unique, new to everyone's ear. To expressed my emotions into words and melodies, that's what I'd Iike to produced. Though, it will be a challenge for me since I can't understand myself sometimes.

Last year, on my fourteenth birthday, I created my YouTube channel wherein I covered some songs. I was never been confident, I have low self-esteem. That's why whenever I'm recording, I've always angled the camera where my face can't be seen. Until now, no one knows I did these things, I keep it a secret.

It was already nine in the evening, kailangan ko nang maligo. My parents were out, probably on a date but my uncle is here so I'll be safe. He lives here with us, he got no place to stay. He used to live with his wife pero sumama siya sa ibang lalaki. He sold their house after that. My father offered him to stay with us instead of him living alone.

I heard a knock on my door. I opened it and it was tito.

"Maliligo ka na?" He asked which I responded with a nod. A smile formed on his face, he looked like he's holding himself from doing something.

"Bilisan mo, kakain na tayo." Then, he left. Tito has always been like that since the last few months. Something is probably wrong. May oras na kinakatok niya ako and wala rin pala siyang sasabihin, it's creeping me out.

The shower in my room's bathroom is broken kaya roon ako sa main naliligo. I went inside and hanged my towel. I started to take off my clothes when I heard a noise near the window.

I looked at the window but I saw nothing, maybe it was just a cat or something. Though, sometimes I felt like someone's watching me---or I was just being paranoid.

Minadali ko na lang ang pagligo since it was already late. I wrapped my towel around my body and brush my teeth. Without knowing, my gaze went towards the window.

I felt my whole body trembling. I don't know what to do. Before I even knew it, I went out from the bathroom and headed towards my room, I immediately locked the door. My body's still shivering from fear. My mind is panicking.

I heard a knock on the door. The fear I've been feeling became worse.

"Anak, okay ka lang?" I felt a sudden relief, it was papa. They're back, sa wakas.

"Okay lang, pa." I lied, I couldn't tell them the truth. The thing I saw in the window, was a cellphone-- having the back camera facing at my direction. I recognized whose hand and phone it was--- kay tito.

Madaling araw na and I was still wide awake. Sobrang gulo ng isipan ko. If I was being recorded--- fuck, I can't tell my parents about it especially I don't have any proof. What if I was just being paranoid? But no, I saw it with my freaking two eyes.

Nanginginig pa rin ako hanggang ngayon, it just won't stop. I felt like there are eyes on me. I began to cry, bakit ba ako ganito? I cried silently, afraid of being heard by my parents.

I woke up and it was one o'clock in the afternoon. The fact na kailangan ko pang umiyak para lang makatulog, I don't wanna experience that again.

I did my morning routine and changed my clothes. I forgot that I need to go to Astra's house, partner kami sa school project. I checked my phone and it was flooded with Astra's messages asking where I was. I texted her na I'm on my way though kakain pa lang ako.