Days had passed by and I got used of Calter being around. I'm seeing Mr. Biljack working at the rice field everyday under the heat of the sun while Calter sends him lunch just like what we usually do. We had small interactions but just the usual I-do-not-know-you kind of way. Wala na si Deven, nakabalik na sa Manila. Habang pababa ako ng hagdan, naririnig ko na ang malakas at matinis na boses ng bisita sa sala. I did not peek at the living room and just went straight to the kitchen. I made my usual morning hot cacao drink and walked my way to the living room. There, I saw a gay who's talking to the old couple. Napansin kaagad nila ang paglapit ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng bisita at lumapad ang ngiti. Umatras ako para sana bumalik sa kusina at doon na lang i-enjoy ang iniinom nang magsalita sila. "Siya na ba 'yan? Maryosep, ang pretty nga talaga!" Kumunot ang noo ko. Natawa naman si Tito Totie. "Sinabi ko na sa 'yong maganda nga talaga siya." Kinawayan ako ni Tito. "Halika muna dito
Calter really had the nerves to rent a room here. Hindi naman talaga nagpapaupa sina Tita pero nang sabihin ni Calter na mag-a-advance payment na siya ng tatlong buwan, sumang-ayon na kaagad ang matanda. Alam ko kung anong dahilan ng pagpayag niya. Delay na kasi ang sweldo ng mga trabahador kaya ang ibabayad ni Calter ang siyang ipapasweldo niya. Gusto ko pang hilain si Calter noon paalis sa hapagkainan para sana kausapin. 3 months, really? Parang naglalaro lang siya ng bahay-bahayan! "Ayan! Look! Ang pretty mo talaga! Wagi na tayo!" tili ni Jade matapos niya akong ma-make up-an. Nakadikit ang pisngi niya sa pisngi ko habang nakaharap kami sa salamin. Ilang beses ko nang naisip na umatras na lang sa pagsali. Hindi ko naman kasi talaga gusto 'to. However, the situation really pushes me to continue it. Deven is still out of reach. Tito's maintenance are running out and he needs a wheelchair so he can go out of the house. Suot ang dress para sa unang round ng contest, lumabas na kami
Calter kept refusing to stand up and go to his room. He didn't want me to call for help neither. Nangingiti pa siya habang ako halos malagutan na ng hininga. His blood literally flows down onto the floor and he's still acting cool! Naihilamos ko na lang ang palad habang tinitingnan siya. Gising siya pero nakapikit lang. Nakangiti kasi ang gago. "Please.... put a pressure on my wounds before... I completely lost my blood," he said in a hoarse voice. Napairap ako. Sinarado ko ang pinto. Pumwesto ako sa kaniyang uluhan. Pinailalim ang mga kamay sa likod ng balikat niya at buong lakas na hinila siya papunta sa gilid ng kama. Nasa sahig pa rin siya dahil nga basa. I don't want him to wet my bed. Napalunok ako saka lumuhod sa gilid niya. Hinawi ko ang kaniyang itim na t-shirt pataas. He slowly lifted his hand so I saw a large cut on his left kidney part. Mukhang daplis lang pero mahaba at medyo malalim. Rinig ko ang mabigat na hininga niya. Halatang nasasaktan pero sinusubukang itago. A
Bumagabag sa akin ang huling sinabi niya sa gabing iyon. Criella Herism Spencer. Tinawag niya ako sa ganoong pangalan. Anong ibig sabihin noon? 'Yon ba talaga ang tunay kong pangalan... bago pa ako mapunta sa kamay ng Steppingstone at pinangalanang Alora? My mind was filled with questions I hardly seek for an answer. I was just holding to my what ifs, insticts and theories. There's no definite answers. Maybe Calter was right. I really need to talk to Veniva Herism. Ako na ang umalis sa sarili kong kwarto para lumipat sa kuwarto ni Calter. Sakanya na iyong basang kama. Kaya naman na siguro niyang asikasuhin ang sarili dahil hindi naman siya mukhang nasaktan noong biglaan siyang umupo para makalapit sa akin. Naalala ko ang hitsura niya noong ipinirmi niya ako sa kinatatayuan. Madilim, maingay ang lagaslas ng ulan at maya't maya ang pangingidlat pero sa gabing iyon, mas nangibabaw ang ingay ng tibok ng puso ko. It may sound romantic and a bit corny but that's what I really felt during
I lived my life as a teenage girl running in the track like a horse trained to race. I ran away when the table turned and found out, in the end, I was the one who got fooled by those people around me. Now, I am coming back. Faces I'd wish I will never get to see again are all plastered in front of me. I guess, running away from the reality of my life is a race I will never win. Alice's face flashed on my mind. Her eyes. The way she gaze at me feels like she saw a long lost bestfriend. I don't know. The emotions of her eyes are sometimes misleading. However, I wonder why she was stunned at that moment. She should've called for backup to catch me but she chose to remain standing while staring at me. Is she with Jinx that time? "Hija!" Napatingin ako kay Veniva Herism. She rushed towards us with open arms. Emotional siyang nakatingin sa akin at kinulong ako ng yakap pagkalapit. Kumunot ang noo ko at hindi nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Ang mga braso ko kasi, nakapaloob sa yakap niya. Hindi
When I was a kid, I never had any bad memories with Mom and Dad. They never hurt me when they had to discipline me. They were supportive. They always make sure I'm okay, happy. I never felt out of their blood, that I am adopted because they never treat me differently. They showered me with all their love that's why it's hard for me to distinguish the truth behind all of these. Tanggap ko na sa sarili ko na ampon nga ako... pero ang hirap! Tinanim ni Uncle Greg sa isipan ko na ang mga Spencer ang masama. Sila ang pumatay sa kinalakihan kong magulang. Oo't sila nga... but is it worth it to hate them? Sabi nga ni Mrs. Veniva, kinuha nila ako noong sanggol pa. Hindi sarado ang utak ko para hindi maintindihan ang pakiramdam ng isang ina na mawalan ng anak. I just can't believe that the real monsters in this story are the Steppingstones, the family I grew up with. "Get the brown envelope in the drawer, Calter," she ordered him. Sumunod naman si Calter at pumunta doon sa desk hindi kalayua
Parang kailan lang nang una akong tumapak sa Herism Academy. I remember how full of wrath I was. I was eaten by my vengeful demon that all I felt was resentment towards my biological parents. I've even created a fantasizing scene in my head that I am washing my hands with their fresh blood like a total psychopath. It's been 2 years and those memories are still vivid as if it's just a day passed by. Wala akong nakitang butas sa relasyon ko sa mga Steppingstone noon na makakapagsabi sa akin na ampon lang ako. Kahit si Uncle na lang ang nandyan para sa akin noon, I never felt neglected. He may seem like a prison guard on how strict he is but there are still times when he is calm and loose. The last time we got apart was during the battle we had against the assassins in Manila Port. He got shot by Calter that time and I don't know if he's still alive. Robert Spencer got shot as well and I had never picked up rumor about them again since I ran away. "Can I kiss you good night?" pansin ko a
All this time, akala ko hindi niya alam. I thought he wasn't aware that I was really the person he was talking with at the Halloween Party. Hindi na ako pinatulog kakaisip noon kagabi. I was asking myself, like how did he found it out? Tulog siya nang pumasok ako sa van nang mahuli siya ng organisasyon. He's asleep for the whole time until he was locked in the empty room. Nahalata niya ba ako sa naging costume ko? Covered ng make up ang mukha ko noon! Heavy make up! Hindi kaya'y nakilala niya ako sa boses? So he intentionally made a confession because he knows that he's literally talking to me? Nagkunwari lang siyang hindi niya ako kilala. Bakit pa? Para hindi masyadong nakakahiya sa part niya? Sa pag-amin pa lang, bawas na ang angas niya. Pero bakit naman siya magsasabi ng sekreto niya sa hindi niya kilala? Bakit ngayon ko lang na-realize ito? Alam ng buong Herism kung gaano siya kailap. He sticks with his circle of friends and never did talked to anyone else. Hindi ko pa siya nakit
It's been a week since I came here and started living with them. They've showed me around the Vantablack Headquarters and introduced me to everyone. Natawagan ko na rin sina Tita Serya at Tito Totie para ipaalam ang kalagayan ko rito. "Tinatanong nina Tita Serya kung kailan ako uuwi roon. Gusto ko sanang bukas na," pagpapaalam ko habang sabay kaming nag-uumagahan. "Uuwi roon? Isn't this your home now? Dito ka na uuwi," Dad corrected me. I got stunned for a sec. Yeah. I forgot. It is. Dito na siya tumutuloy pagkatapos ng una naming pagkikita. We spent most of our time together, as a whole family-- talking while sipping tea, talking about our lives, roaming around the bunker and teaching me this and that. It's been a week but everytime I go to bed, I wonder how fast my life turned out. Para bang pumikit lang ako saglit, nandito na ako sa puder nila. I still have questions unanswered but maybe there has time for that. I'm enjoying the moment I have right now. With them. I do hav
I feel like it would be so awkward if I start calling them Mom and Dad. I'm still not used to them, though. Kagabi lang kami nagkalapit ng sariling ina. Paniwala naman ako na biological parents ko nga sila dahil sa mga rasong inihain na sa akin. I'm already 20. Still young but already old to spot the truth of this drama that has been running for almost 3 years. I watch my mom who's busy talking to me but I can't hear her clearly because I'm not paying attention. We're now here in their office, the higher ups office. Simpleng kwarto lang ito na may malaking curved table. Sa lamesa, may limang computers at swivel chairs. Sa harap naman ng mga ito ay may malaking nakapatay na screen. I'm sitting on one of the chairs. Calter is occupying the other seat, one block away from me while Mom is standing in front of us, talking. Saka lang nahinto ang ina nang may kumatok sa pinto. Napunta roon ang atensyon namin. Bumukas ito at pumasok ang isang lalaki. He stopped at the frame and bowed his h
All this time, akala ko hindi niya alam. I thought he wasn't aware that I was really the person he was talking with at the Halloween Party. Hindi na ako pinatulog kakaisip noon kagabi. I was asking myself, like how did he found it out? Tulog siya nang pumasok ako sa van nang mahuli siya ng organisasyon. He's asleep for the whole time until he was locked in the empty room. Nahalata niya ba ako sa naging costume ko? Covered ng make up ang mukha ko noon! Heavy make up! Hindi kaya'y nakilala niya ako sa boses? So he intentionally made a confession because he knows that he's literally talking to me? Nagkunwari lang siyang hindi niya ako kilala. Bakit pa? Para hindi masyadong nakakahiya sa part niya? Sa pag-amin pa lang, bawas na ang angas niya. Pero bakit naman siya magsasabi ng sekreto niya sa hindi niya kilala? Bakit ngayon ko lang na-realize ito? Alam ng buong Herism kung gaano siya kailap. He sticks with his circle of friends and never did talked to anyone else. Hindi ko pa siya nakit
Parang kailan lang nang una akong tumapak sa Herism Academy. I remember how full of wrath I was. I was eaten by my vengeful demon that all I felt was resentment towards my biological parents. I've even created a fantasizing scene in my head that I am washing my hands with their fresh blood like a total psychopath. It's been 2 years and those memories are still vivid as if it's just a day passed by. Wala akong nakitang butas sa relasyon ko sa mga Steppingstone noon na makakapagsabi sa akin na ampon lang ako. Kahit si Uncle na lang ang nandyan para sa akin noon, I never felt neglected. He may seem like a prison guard on how strict he is but there are still times when he is calm and loose. The last time we got apart was during the battle we had against the assassins in Manila Port. He got shot by Calter that time and I don't know if he's still alive. Robert Spencer got shot as well and I had never picked up rumor about them again since I ran away. "Can I kiss you good night?" pansin ko a
When I was a kid, I never had any bad memories with Mom and Dad. They never hurt me when they had to discipline me. They were supportive. They always make sure I'm okay, happy. I never felt out of their blood, that I am adopted because they never treat me differently. They showered me with all their love that's why it's hard for me to distinguish the truth behind all of these. Tanggap ko na sa sarili ko na ampon nga ako... pero ang hirap! Tinanim ni Uncle Greg sa isipan ko na ang mga Spencer ang masama. Sila ang pumatay sa kinalakihan kong magulang. Oo't sila nga... but is it worth it to hate them? Sabi nga ni Mrs. Veniva, kinuha nila ako noong sanggol pa. Hindi sarado ang utak ko para hindi maintindihan ang pakiramdam ng isang ina na mawalan ng anak. I just can't believe that the real monsters in this story are the Steppingstones, the family I grew up with. "Get the brown envelope in the drawer, Calter," she ordered him. Sumunod naman si Calter at pumunta doon sa desk hindi kalayua
I lived my life as a teenage girl running in the track like a horse trained to race. I ran away when the table turned and found out, in the end, I was the one who got fooled by those people around me. Now, I am coming back. Faces I'd wish I will never get to see again are all plastered in front of me. I guess, running away from the reality of my life is a race I will never win. Alice's face flashed on my mind. Her eyes. The way she gaze at me feels like she saw a long lost bestfriend. I don't know. The emotions of her eyes are sometimes misleading. However, I wonder why she was stunned at that moment. She should've called for backup to catch me but she chose to remain standing while staring at me. Is she with Jinx that time? "Hija!" Napatingin ako kay Veniva Herism. She rushed towards us with open arms. Emotional siyang nakatingin sa akin at kinulong ako ng yakap pagkalapit. Kumunot ang noo ko at hindi nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Ang mga braso ko kasi, nakapaloob sa yakap niya. Hindi
Bumagabag sa akin ang huling sinabi niya sa gabing iyon. Criella Herism Spencer. Tinawag niya ako sa ganoong pangalan. Anong ibig sabihin noon? 'Yon ba talaga ang tunay kong pangalan... bago pa ako mapunta sa kamay ng Steppingstone at pinangalanang Alora? My mind was filled with questions I hardly seek for an answer. I was just holding to my what ifs, insticts and theories. There's no definite answers. Maybe Calter was right. I really need to talk to Veniva Herism. Ako na ang umalis sa sarili kong kwarto para lumipat sa kuwarto ni Calter. Sakanya na iyong basang kama. Kaya naman na siguro niyang asikasuhin ang sarili dahil hindi naman siya mukhang nasaktan noong biglaan siyang umupo para makalapit sa akin. Naalala ko ang hitsura niya noong ipinirmi niya ako sa kinatatayuan. Madilim, maingay ang lagaslas ng ulan at maya't maya ang pangingidlat pero sa gabing iyon, mas nangibabaw ang ingay ng tibok ng puso ko. It may sound romantic and a bit corny but that's what I really felt during
Calter kept refusing to stand up and go to his room. He didn't want me to call for help neither. Nangingiti pa siya habang ako halos malagutan na ng hininga. His blood literally flows down onto the floor and he's still acting cool! Naihilamos ko na lang ang palad habang tinitingnan siya. Gising siya pero nakapikit lang. Nakangiti kasi ang gago. "Please.... put a pressure on my wounds before... I completely lost my blood," he said in a hoarse voice. Napairap ako. Sinarado ko ang pinto. Pumwesto ako sa kaniyang uluhan. Pinailalim ang mga kamay sa likod ng balikat niya at buong lakas na hinila siya papunta sa gilid ng kama. Nasa sahig pa rin siya dahil nga basa. I don't want him to wet my bed. Napalunok ako saka lumuhod sa gilid niya. Hinawi ko ang kaniyang itim na t-shirt pataas. He slowly lifted his hand so I saw a large cut on his left kidney part. Mukhang daplis lang pero mahaba at medyo malalim. Rinig ko ang mabigat na hininga niya. Halatang nasasaktan pero sinusubukang itago. A
Calter really had the nerves to rent a room here. Hindi naman talaga nagpapaupa sina Tita pero nang sabihin ni Calter na mag-a-advance payment na siya ng tatlong buwan, sumang-ayon na kaagad ang matanda. Alam ko kung anong dahilan ng pagpayag niya. Delay na kasi ang sweldo ng mga trabahador kaya ang ibabayad ni Calter ang siyang ipapasweldo niya. Gusto ko pang hilain si Calter noon paalis sa hapagkainan para sana kausapin. 3 months, really? Parang naglalaro lang siya ng bahay-bahayan! "Ayan! Look! Ang pretty mo talaga! Wagi na tayo!" tili ni Jade matapos niya akong ma-make up-an. Nakadikit ang pisngi niya sa pisngi ko habang nakaharap kami sa salamin. Ilang beses ko nang naisip na umatras na lang sa pagsali. Hindi ko naman kasi talaga gusto 'to. However, the situation really pushes me to continue it. Deven is still out of reach. Tito's maintenance are running out and he needs a wheelchair so he can go out of the house. Suot ang dress para sa unang round ng contest, lumabas na kami