Zephyr Strings

Simula

I can't believe that she could do that to me. It's frustrating me so much. I was in Brazil hours ago, and now I am here in the Philippines to see my Dad and tell him what happened to me. I didn't even manage to change my clothes.

And now... Seems like everything is going to waste. Mom will never believe me no matter what I say. Her husband violated me... Her daughters abused me. Even with this paper in my hand right now and the bruises I got from the hands of her daughters, she still chose to disregard me and believe their lies.

Ramdam ko ang pabalik-balik na sulyap sa akin ng mga kasabay ko sa lift. I felt my phone vibrating inside the pocket of my coat. Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang bumukas ang lift. Tuloy-tuloy ang mga hakbang ko hanggang sa tuluyan na akong akapin ng hangin mula sa rooftop.

There are some benches and trees around. May mga Christmas lights na nakapalibot sa mga puno, nagbibigay ng liwanag sa paligid. My eyes locked on the edge of this rooftop. I headed towards it and let my backpack fall on the floor.

Matatapos ang gabing ito nang hindi ko nakikita si Daddy at mga Ate ko. If I'll choose to live, I'll put myself in hell again and live miserably for another two years. I don't think I can take that.

I wiped my tears away and stepped forward. Huminga ako nang malalim at nilapat ang kaliwang paa sa sementadong barikada at iaakyat na sana ang kanang paa nang marinig ko ang isang tamad na buntong-hininga ng kung sino.

"Are you sure you'll jump off the building right in front of me?" the cold and arrogant baritone voice uttered.

Mabilis kong naibaba ang aking paa at kunot-noong hinanap ang pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. I stopped from looking around when I saw a guy sitting on the floor with his left knee folded while his back was against the tree. He's gazing straight at me with lazy eyes.

"K—Kanina ka pa riyan?" gulat kong tanong.

He put his earphones back in his ears and crossed his arms. I frowned. He's wearing a white dress shirt. Gusot ang iilang parte nito na para bang nilamukos. And black denim pants that reveal his long iron-clad legs. His bro flow haircut was messy and I saw the cut on his lips.

"I wouldn't see you if I wasn't. Go to the other side. You can continue your plan there. Just not in front of me," he said coldly with his eyes closed.

My lips split up. My brows knitted more and picked my bag on the floor without taking my eyes off him. Mestizo siya at puno ng kayabangan ang ere. He's lean and seems to be growing some muscles. May kulay itim na hikaw sa kaliwang tainga at dimple sa kanang pisngi. Napakurap ako nang bigla niyang imulat ang malalalim at namumungay na mga mata.

"What? Aren't you going to jump off?" he asked arrogantly.

Napalunok ako at umiling.

"N—No... Tsaka... Sino ba may sabing tatalon ako?" I said and raised a brow in the end when I gained my confidence back.

He grimaced and rolled his eyes lazily after. I pouted a bit to stop myself from forming a smile. He ran his fingers through his hair and gazed at me.

"Leave, then," he muttered.

"Ayoko nga." Irap ko at naglakad patungo sa kaniya.

Gusto kong matawa nang umalis siya mula sa pagkakasandal sa puno habang nakatingin sa akin gamit ang seryosong mga mata. Binagsak ko ang aking bag sa pagitan namin at naupo. I sighed.

"Why are you here?" I asked as I looked at him.

I lifted a brow when I caught him checking out my body... Or possibly, my clothes. He looked at me with his lethargic eyes.