Destructing The Flame's Deception

Prologue

Prologue

I slowly placed the cigarettes in my mouth while lighting them. I was just playing with my feet while sitting on the rooftop railings.

I looked down. I was sitting on the railings, watching the people below go about their business. I can hear the car and other vehicles, as well as people's laughter.

I put my hand over my ears to block out their voices.

Whenever I hear a crowd talking, I always assume they're talking about me... even if they don't know who I am.

Mahirap… sobrang mahirap na masanay ka na lagi mong iniisip na sa'yo lagi nakatingin ang mga tao sa paligid mo. And that's because of the trauma that you're having through.

After I finished my cigarettes, I tossed them to the ground and waited for them to fall to the floor.

I immediately close my eyes tight as the noises of the people become louder and clearer to me. I clutch the hem of my shirt tightly because I needed something to hold onto... something that could even temporarily calm me.

I can already feel my breathing becoming heavier. I exhaled and inhaled quickly. My hands were already trembling, and I tried to stop them, but I was surprised to feel a hand trying to stop them.

I was immediately startled and flinched violently. But when I saw who it was, I instantly relaxed.

"Cigarettes again?" pagkatapos ay inagaw niya sa'kin ang isang kahon ng sigarilyo sa kamay ko.

Inirapan ko siya at pagkatapos ay bumuntonghininga ako.

"I understand that cigarettes can really help us from forgetting our problems because we're getting distracted by it." he told me.

Tumingin lang ako sa paligid at hindi siya pinansin. Wala akong balak na pansinin siya.

"Ang sa akin lang… bakit hindi ka nag-aaya?" then he immediately chuckled, nakita ko pang kumuha siya ng isang sigarilyo roon.

Nang sinubukan kong agawin, inilayo niya pa iyon sa'kin kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Ano palang ginagawa mo rito? And… you're shaking again…" he said.

Bumuntonghininga ako at sumilip sa ibaba habang pinapanood ang mga taong nagkakasiyahan doon. Nakita ko namang agad niya rin iyong sinilip at nang makita kung anong nangyayari, agad siyang bumuntonghininga.

"I see. You're scared of crowds, kaya ka nanginginig kanina." tumango siya na parang tama ang hinala niya.

Umirap ako. "You already know it, yet you even mentioned it again."

He hissed. "Ahh… I'm sorry 'bout that."

Inirapan ko ulit siya at nag-iwas nalang ng tingin sa kanya.

"Wanna grab some alcohol?" he asked.

Napatingin ako sa kanya sandali at mabilis na umiling.

He chuckled. "Oops, too late…" I was shocked when I already saw one bottle of can on his hands.

I guess I have no choice. I can never reject alcohol!

Nang tinitigan ko iyon, nakita kong ngumisi siya. Akmang kukunin ko na sana ang inalok niya sa'kin nang agad niya iyong nilayo. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya habang siya ay nanatiling nakangisi.

"It's no fun if I'm just going to give it to you for free," he smirked.

I tsked. As usual, coming from him. He never really gives me anything without any favor.

I sighed heavily. "What is it?"

Pinanood ko siyang umupo sa railings sa katabi ko. Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. He then put his hands on his chin as if he was thinking something.