South

Chapter 1

One's life could go through a lot. Not in a smooth way, but maybe in a rough way with complicated situations. A normal life and a smiling face. But behind this person's calm expression, a painful and chaotic memory has been done.

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In this time of my life, nililibang ko nalang muna ang sarili ko pansamantala sa mga bagay na mayroon ang mundong ito. Kahit kating-kati na akong magtanong at magsabi ay hindi ko ginawa dahil sa huli, alam kong ako lang rin ang gagawin nilang mali. Na para bang wala akong karapatang maglahad ng saloobin at nararamdaman? O 'di kaya'y iku-kumpara na naman nila ako, at magiging kasalanan ko na naman kapag mayroong maski maliit problema ang dumating. I mean, what am I? A curse in their lives? Ewan ko ba. Ang gulo masyado ng buhay ko.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and my lips formed a half smile. Fighting, self!

Today's a saturday and I'm scheduled 10 a.m for my brace adjustment. I glanced at my wristwatch before heading downstairs. I saw my mom comfortably sitting on the couch scrolling on her phone and looks like she also has an agenda for today. I sat beside her and told her that I'll be leaving.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin mula sa telepono niya at pinasadahan ang kabuuan ko,"sinong kasama mo?"

"Ako lang po," sagot ko.

"Sumabay ka na lang sa 'min ng tita Illiza mo,"

"Okay."

Tumayo ako at nagtungo sa ref para uminom ng tubig. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay may bumusina na sa labas ng bahay. That must be tita Illiza. And I was right when my mom told me that they're already outside. But wait, they are? Who's with her?

I took my tote bag together with my phone from the couch, and walked outside before locking the doors. Naunang lumabas si mom kaya ako rin ang maglo-lock ng gate. When I faced the street, I saw tita Illiza's precious BMW.

Ilang sandali pa ay may lumabas na kung sinong tao galing sa backseat. Tipid niya akong nginitian at iginaya papasok. Walang emosyon ko s'yang tinignan bago pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan. He entered the car and closed the door. That's when tita Illiza cleared her throat.

"Hi dear," she said and maneuvered the car.

"Hello, tita." I simply greeted back.

I sat near the window and didn't pay attention infront. My mom and Tita Illiza were talking random stuffs and the person who's sitting few inches beside me is busy with his phone.

"Robin, kilala mo ba 'yang nasa tabi mo?" Tita Illiza asked.

Umiling ako sa kanya. "Hindi po, tita."

"He's my nephew. He will accompany you to your doctor later."

Why him? I mean, I can go there alone. There's no need for someone to tail or guard me.

"O-Okay." Sabi ko na lang.

Pareho kaming nasa magkabilang gilid ng sasakyan at walang planong kausapin ang isa't isa. Mabuti na rin iyon dahil hindi ko pa siya kilala. I wouldn't mind not talking to him anyway. And obviously, this is my first time seeing tita Illiza's nephew. My mom and her had been very good friends since their childhood and ever since I was brought into this world, ngayon ko lang nalaman na mayroon pala s'yang pamangkin. Mom didn't tell me, though.

It took us less than forty minutes to arrived at my doctor's clinic.

"Robin," my mom called and I looked at her.