Chapter Four

I was in my room, studying when I heard the smashing of glasses downstairs once again. It didn't take me a lot of time to realize what was going on even though I jumped in surprise when I heard it. 

The screaming match took place once again and I tried so hard to ignore it. I fixated my eyes on my book, hoping the words from the pages would distract me from the going on, frustrated, I played loud music to cover their shrilling voices but they seem to match the tempo with their profanities which waste my efforts. 

They surely love disturbing the peaceful neighborhood. I can already hear the murmurs and the talks behind my back tomorrow since almost all of my classmates live in this area as well. Humiliation succumbed to me which made me pace around my room in worry, not knowing what to do or to aid our shattered reputation. 

My heart starts beating rapidly inside my chest and my breathing became uneven. The room started closing in on me and I felt lightheaded. 

In an attempt to calm me and to save me from the unavoidable and scandalous event taking place inside my home, I put my jacket on, covering my pajamas, and hastily put my slippers on before quietly walking out of the room, hoping that the two competitors won't see my running away as I descended the stairs. 

It took me a lot of effort to not mess up and slip out of the house unnoticed before the two fighters saw me fleeing. 

The night was chilly but I successfully walked out towards the driveway and hit the empty roads of the street where we are in. 

I sat on the corner of the pavement, just in front of our house, and just looked at the stars. Finding the distraction I terribly needed, the cold chilly air finally came in and help settle my heart. The rustling of the leaves against the night wind became the music that calms me into reverie and I just sat there, surrounded by the black heavens, inhaling the peacefulness which is the contrasting atmosphere compared to what was happening just a few feet away from me. 

My breath fogged before my eyes as I stayed there, waiting for them to stop but I know for a fact that they probably won't. It can go on for ages depending on what the fight will be about or until they grew tired. 

Closing my eyes, I rest my head on my curled-up knees, praying that it'll be over soon. But, to my unfortunate luck, it still went on and on without any sign indicating a ceasefire. 

Sighing, I just stayed there and did not try to get bothered to move. 

"it's midnight, What are you doing here?" A familiar voice asked. I looked up to see the same guy who I was thinking of not to moment ago. 

We met again. 

He was gasping for air while wiping a trail of sweat on his forehead and neck. He's wearing a gray jacket and running shorts and shoes. His dark hair was disheveled and I can clearly see that he was tired, he was standing directly in front of me while he was still trying to catch his breath. 

I was about to open my mouth to answer but the smashing and the screaming interrupted me, it also made him look at the warzone behind me. I also take a glance at the same time he did while we listen to my parents' shrilling voices took center stage. 

His forehead visibly creased before he connected the dots. Without another word, he sat beside me on the cold cement, not saying another word. 

I bit my lower lip, humiliation washing over me, I internally scold myself for exposing the reality of my home life to the stranger I'm having mixed feelings with. 

The fight ensues and continues and I was there, frozen. I came out of here to distract myself and to save myself from the scandal, but now, I'm here outside as if I am the very victim. 

No one said a word and both of us seem to act like nothing is happening though the lingering awkwardness in the air was there. 

In desperation, I tried to change our attention through conversation. 

It was still awkward. 

"So... evening jog?" I whispered. 

He looked at me, catching on in my attempt, and decided to ride on it and nod his head. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep." 

I chuckled. "Yeah, me neither." 

He looked back towards the house again and asked. "Do you want to talk about it?" 

"I don't," I mumbled, hiding my face on my knees again. That's the last thing that I wanted out of it. "I really don't want to talk about anything that is happening." 

He shrugged. "That's understandable." 

Scrunching my nose, I looked up to him and made an annoyed expression. "You know my deepest secret but I barely know anything about you." 

He laughed and looked up at the sky, his eyes wrinkling while he smiled. "I don't really have much to share. What do you want to know about me?" 

I thought for a moment before answering. "Where do you live?" 

"Two houses down the street from here." 

"What's your name?" 

"What's yours?" 

I didn't answer. 

He laughed again. "When are you going inside?" 

"When they stop," I responded. "How about you? When are you going home?" 

The stranger shrugged and gestured to my house. "When they stop, I guess." 

"Tell me something more," I said. "Share something that no one else knows about you." 

He furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. "You know I'm not that mysterious." 

"On the contrary, you are my pandora's box," I interjected. "The only thing that I know about you is what you let me see when we are together as well as my imagination on who you really are." 

The stranger nodded. "But, that can also be applied to anyone you have seen but never formally met yet." 

"That's true." I agreed. "Although, it's quite unfair for you to know something very personal about me yet I don't know anything about you." 

"You don't have to worry about me telling anyone about this, alright? Your secret is safe with me." 

I smiled. "And you don't have to worry about me sharing your secret with anyone since I don't have anyone to tell." 

"How can I be assured of that?" 

"Don't tell me your name and I won't tell you mine." 

"That's silly, don't you think?" 

I do but that's the only assurance I can muster up at that moment, I didn't know that my silliness would bite me in the future. 

If only I know. 

"So..?" I drawled on. 

He sighed and tried to think while I sat there waiting for him to say anything. 

"I committed a grave sin a few days ago and I don't think I can be forgiven by anyone if they found out." He said. "I wanted to tell someone but I'm scared they will distance themselves from me and I'll lose everyone I love." 

"What did you commit?" 

He shook his head. "I don't think I can tell you that yet." 

I frowned. "Why not?" 

"Because if you know now, I know you'll run as far away from me as possible." 

"I don't think I will." 

He shook his head. "I think you will." 

"No." 

"Yes." 

"No." 

"Yes." 

"Can't you just tell me what you did?" 

He laughed at my childish silliness and ruffled my head. The contact made me freeze in surprise and my eyes became wide. Although it was only brief contact, I can warmth on top of my head and the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. 

What just happened? 

He smiled at me and I smiled at him, can't really help the delight I felt after that. 

We silently sat there looking up at the sky for a brief moment. 

"Have they always been like this?" The stranger asked. 

I nodded. "Yeah, I can't even remember the time when they are not fighting." 

He looked at me with concern. "Have they hurt you in any way?" 

I shook my head. "No, they don't. They are just overprotective." 

"Overprotective?" 

I nodded my head again. "yeah, I have no friends in school because they forbid it. I can't talk to anyone unless they allowed me to and I have to always look prim and proper every time." 

"And you obeyed them?" 

"Yes, I can't disobey their orders since they are my parents, after all." 

"But, not having friends? How can you survive that?" 

I thought for a moment before answering. "Well, I grow up like this so it's not as torturous as anyone thinks." 

"So, you never went out with girlfriends to grab some ice cream or whatever?" 

I shook my head. "I don't have any friends to do it with or have tasted ice cream for a really long time. My mom wanted me to stick to a healthy diet which means veggies and healthy food is a must." 

"You have got to be kidding me." 

"I wish I am." 

He made a face before making a decision. "I will take you. Count me as your first real friend." 

Happiness filled my being. "Really?" 

He grinned. "Of course!" 

And that's when it started, the friendship that would run deeper than both of us expected. 

If I knew at that time that I am making grave destruction of my being, I wouldn't have agreed. But, because of my being naive and inability to see the future, I found myself in the mouth of a trap full of sadness and longing.