Prologue

Someone’s POV

Street lights, horn of cars, buzzling street people. Nasa labas ako ng isang bar at tahimik lang akong nakatayo sa isang poste na may patay sinding ilaw. Kanina pa ako nagmamasid sa mga nangyayari sa aking paligid. I’m not drunk nor broken hearted but I guess it’s already part of my behavior where I stand under a post with a broken light while observing other people’s lives.

Napaubo ako ng may dumaan na lalaking naninigarilyo sa harapan ko. Sakit sa ilong! Napalingon ito sa akin pagkawa’y tinignan ako na para bang isa lamang akong basura sa gilid pagkatapos ay nagpatuloy na ito sa paglalakad.

My blood rushed towards my head. How dare he? The audacity of him looking at me like that? Sa sobrang inis ko ay binato ko ito ng hawak kung plastic bottle na tubig at saktong tumama ito sa kanyang batok pagkatapos ay tumakbo agad ako ng mabilis papalayo sa lugar na iyon.

Takbo!Takbo!Takbo! And without a reason tumigil ako sa isang harap ng restaurant. I looked at the insides through the glass wall, the people in there seems rich, can afford and buy everything they want , and has a perfect life. They are all laughing like there’s no tomorrow. If only…..

Napayuko lamang ako at sinimulang maglakad papalayo sa lugar na iyon. I looked at my wrist watch and it’s 11:45 pm already in the night. Midnight is coming! Naisipan kung umuwi na kaya pumara na ako ng taxi at sumakay na dito atsaka ibinigay sa driver ang address ng tinitirhan ko. After 10 minutes, nakarating na ako sa aking tinitirhan.

I looked up at the twenty story building infront of me. Up until now, I still can’t believe that I’m living in this prestigious and very luxury place on earth. I mean not everyone can afford this, right? I shake my head after realizing that I almost drool just by watching the view. Agad akong naglakad papasok sa entrance at pumunta sa may bandang elevator. I push the button number twenty and yeah I’m on the toppest part of the building which I really found scary since I’m on top and my intrusive thoughts is attacking me but at the same time I’m happy because I can see the whole city with sparkling lights and I really find it relaxing and peace.

Nang makarating ako sa 20th floor ay agad akong dumiretso sa unit ko. Kinuha ko ang susi na nakalagay sa bulsa ng sout kung hoodie. Nang mabuksan ko na ito ay agad akong pumasok at pagkapasok ko ay hinubad ko agad ang sout kung hoodie at maong na pantalon. Since, malapit ng mag twelve hindi na ako naligo o nanghilamos pa. I just change my clothes into short pants and loose t-shirt. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso ako sa kama at humiga. I stare at the ceiling for a while and after that I close my eyes and listen to the sound of silence.

The clock tick twelve and I heard the clacking of the door lock of my unit. Napahugot hininga ako at mas lalong niyakap ng mahigpit ang unan na nasa harapan ko and pretend that I was deep asleep.

A soft heavy tapping sound of shoes can be heard in the whole room that is slowly walking towards near my bed. Naikuyom ko nalang ang kamao ko at pinipilit na itago ang kaba na aking nararamdaman. Tumigil ang tunog ng sapatos at bumalot ang katahimikan and the next thing I knew is may humiga na sa tabi ko. Mas lalong dumagundong ang kaba sa aking dibdib at ang hininga ko ay bumibigat.

“I know you’re awake.” sabi ng isang malamig at malalim na boses na nanggagaling sa aking likuran. I held my breath of the words he said.

“How’s your day?” he said again. But, I still choose to keep my mouth shut. I heard him gritted his teeth, he’s already pissed off.

“Damn it Misha! Could you atleast respond to my words?!” he growled and hold my shoulders para ipaharap sa kanya. I still didn’t move not even an inch. My eyes is starting to get watery with no reason but I tried to keep compose.

“Kapag hindi ka magsasalita ngayon ay magiging guilty si Bryan sa kasong kinakaharap niya.” pagkasabi niya nito ay parang may kung anong ingay ang narinig ko sa aking tenga na ikinabingi ko. Agad akong tumayo at humarap sa kanya. He got up from bed and stand up then walk near towards me.

“Ano? Are you willing to talk already?” he said with a serious face while looking straightly to my eyes. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako humugot ng lakas but the next thing I knew…..I slapped him. He didn’t even move not even a little.

“Fathead.” unang salita na lumabas sa bibig ko. He was shocked at first hearing the word that comes out on my mouth but he immediately recovered and smirk. He walk towards  the swivel chair not faraway from me and sit on it confidently.

“Yeah, this fathead infront of your face right now can make your boyfriend—Bryan, who’s in trial court right now goes to jail for 20 years and can’t receive any probation or parole.” he said with a diplomatic voice accompanied by sharpened look. Napatawa ako ng mapakla habang may kumawalang luha sa mata ko. He’s still unbothered of my reaction.

“Tinatakot mo ba ako, Lt. De Guzman?” natatawa kung saad at marahas na pinahiran ang luha sa aking mga mata. He crossed his legs and lean on the chair.

“No, infact my only point is try to work with me if you want peace.” he said. Napaatras ako at napatawa.

“Sino ba ang gina-gago mo? Ako makikipag trabaho sa’yo? Kung gusto ko ng kapayapaan? Asa ka! Mas mabuti nang maging salot ako sa lipunan kaysa makipag tulungan sa’yo.”   malutong kung sabi at tinignan siya ng matalim. He only shrugged then stand up kaya napaayos ako ng tayo.

“I’m a policeman. Madali lang akong kausap. I gave you peace, you wanted a war. Then fine, I’ll give you the war that you want but later on don’t you dare go to any police station in any part of this country if ever………” tumigil pa ito bago hinawakan ang siradura ng pintuan ng unit ko. Sa hindi malaman na dahilan ay bigla naman akong kinabahan sa sinabi niya.

“Your family will be the next victim of the organization that your boyfriend is being involved.” he coldly said kaya tila natulos ako sa aking kinatatayuan ng marinig ko ang sinabi niya. I looked at him who’s already facing at the door with an unexplainable expression. “Also, I am talking to you right now as a high ranking official of the government and not as your ex-boyfriend in college” after he said those words he walks out totally on my unit. Napaluhod nalang ako sa sahig at napahilamos sa aking mukha habang pinipigilan ang nagbabadyang luha na umagos.

“Damn it! Damn this fucking life”