Set Ashes In Flames

In Flames 24: Threatened

Sa mga sumunod na photos ay humahalik sa pisngi ni Victoria si Patience. Nakatingin si Victoria sa ibang direksyon ngunit nakaakbay sa balikat ni Patience. May iba rin namang litrato na hinahalikan ni Patience sa pisngi ang ibang kaibigan, pero parang sinasaksak pa rin ang puso ko nang makita ko ang sa kanila ni Victoria. I had to put down my phone for a moment because it was all too much. Parang dinadaganan ng kung anong bigat ang dibdib ko. Halos umubo ako para lang lumuwag ang tensyon sa lalamunan ko.

Sa lahat ng importanteng pagkakataon sa buhay ni Victoria, si Patience ang nakasama niya. Noong una kong naramdaman na nagugustuhan ko na siya. I imagined scenarios of me cheering for her when she goes up the stage. Kapag nagtatrabaho na siya, sa tuwing mapapagod siya, I wanted to be the one to kiss it better for her.

Ihinilig ko ang aking ulo sa balikat ni ate Gladys. Umakbay siya sa akin at doon na tulyang nanginig ang aking balikat habang tahimik akong lumuluha.

When we got out of the car, gaano man kabigat ang emosyon ko ay hindi pa rin nakatakas sa akin ang kaba na naramdaman ko kanina sa apartment. Is someone following me?

Involuntarily, I shut my thighs tightly. Like I can keep them off me if I don't let them through my legs. I pressed my lips. My knuckles almost turned white at how tight I gripped the hem of my dress to tug it down.

As soon as we got in, I regretted going in the first place. It was too crowded and noisy and the bright lights above the wide dance floor made me dizzy.

When I checked ate Gladys, there was nothing but fascination and wonder. Her expression looked like it was saying 'so this is what I missed'.

"Talaga palang maraming pumupunta sa mga ganito! Akala ko'y wala nang oras ang mga tao para sa ganito sa sobrang abala!" she giggled.

I kept bumping with shoulders while they danced around me. Halos maipit at mastuck na ako rito sa dance floor dahil sa dami ng nagsasayawan. I shivered. Sa sobrang lakas ng tugtog ay parang hindi ko na ito naririnig. While ate Gladys gladly explored this new experience, I was stuck inside my head.

Mas madali akong makukuha ng kahit sino rito. Kahit pa public place ito, sa sobrang dala ng tao sa kanilang pagsasayaw ay imposible nang mamalayan nilang ay humihingi na pala ng tulong.

Hinigpitan ko ang yakap sa aking bag. Ito lang ang makakatulong sa akin kung sakali. Kapag nawala ang aking cellphone ay hindi ako makakatawag para humingi ng tulonng kay kuya.

Someone's shoulders bumped with my cheekbones. I whimpered in pain but he didn't notice. Nagluha ang mata ko sa sakit ng pagtama. Hindi pa nga ako sumasayaw ay parang mas pagod pa ako kumpara sa ilang taon ng pagtatrabaho ko.

I have to get out of here. Need air.

When I got out, my phone rang. Doon ko lang naalala na hindi ko pala pinaalam ay kuya na aalis kami. Maybe he's about to lecture me right now.

I huffed a breath and accepted the call without looking at the name.

"Are you done running, Gianna?"

And I froze. My whole body paralyzed and my hand almost crushed my phone.

"I told you to break it off and be mine. Not run away. You think being away is better than being with me?"

If I wasn't standing like statue, I would've turned my head to check if he was around. But I can't make myself move. And I got more afraid. That he could just grab me here and I can't fight.

"Nice dress you have there. But I wish you'd show me more of your skin. I can't wait to tear your stocking, rip your underwear and feel your heat. But we have a lot of time."

He hang up and I let out a terrified sob. Hands between my thighs, going in and out of...

My legs shuddered while I ran for my life inside the club. I went to the bar to drink and forget.

"P-please don't leave," I begged the bartender. His brows furrowed and regarded me with a weirded out stare. Understandably so.

"K-kahit anong... m-mangyari..." I looked to my left and right then to him. "D-don't take your eyes off my spot. A-at h'wag m-mong... hayaan na may kumuha sa akin dito. H-he's..."

The bartender became attentive of my facial expression.

"Ma'am, gusto niyo po bang magfile tayo ng police report?" concerned etched in his voice.

Knowing that a police report would only heighten Dexter's actions, I shook my head.

Pakiramdam ko ay kinakabahan din ang bartender para sa akin. Habang ginagawa niya kase ang kanyang trabaho ay sumusulyap sulyap siya sa aking pwesto. Lumunok ako, at sa nanginginig na daliri at pinindot ko ang number ni kuya.

"K-kuya... D-Dexter... h-he's... get me out of here please, I need you!" I cried on the phone. I didn't hear his voice. Agad lang na namatay ang tawag.

I stared at my phone and dialed him again. Baka nawalan lang ng signal. And finally, he spoke.

"Gianna?"

"K-kuya... s-si Dexter..." I cried harder. "H-he called me... he's her-"

"Fuck! Get the damn car!" he shouted commands at whoever men he has.

Kuya came inside the club and found me. I don't know if he broke traffic rules because he got here faster than I expected.

"Let's go," he almost growled in anger.

"Ate Gladys is also here. Magkasama kami," I told him. Lumingon siya sa guard at tinitigan ito ng may pagbababala.

"Ikaw muna ang magbantay at hahanapin ko lang si Gladys. You failed earlier, don't fail me now."

Tumango naman ang guard. And kuya went into the crowd to search for ate Gladys.

Kampante na akong may nagbabantay sa akin kaya hinayaan ko ang sarili kong pumikit nang sandali. I almost drifted off if not for the voices.

"Yeah? Where the fuck were you while an obsessed stalker threatened her? Let me through!" the woman's words were sharp and heated with rage.