The Touch of Eternal Sorrow (Altarieno Series #3)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Rhys... salamat."

Kaswal akong namulsa nang mabuksan na niya ang gate ng kanilang bahay. She asked me to drop her off here and I didn't mind to do so. Wala naman akong ginagawa masiyado and I guess... this will keep my head light. Hindi pa rin maalis sa isip ko ang katarantaduhan ng boyfriend niya.

In general, that just bothers me. I can't stand such thing.

"That's nothing."

"Really, thank you."

"How long has been since he became your boyfriend?"

Napakurap siya.

"Five years."

My lips parted. "Ganoon na siya... dati pa?"

She wasn't able to answer in an instant. I sighed.

"I apologize for butting in. It's not my business." Tumikhim ako. "I'll go. It's getting late."

"Yeah... yeah... sure." She smiled. "Thank you again for... saving me—and driving me home. Sana magkita pa ulit tayo sa banda—you know, kung sakaling magbago ang isip mo."

"I set my decisions firmly."

"If you say so."

"Go inside. I'm leaving..."

"Okay." Pumasok na siya sa loob. She waved at me, still standing on the same position. "Bye..."

"Bye."

Tumalikod na ako kahit hindi pa siya nagsasara ng gate. It's not my obligation to keep her safe or whatsoever. And we just met today—okay, maybe not just today but a lot of times.

Still... we are not friends or anything related to that. She's just a stranger.

"Last year!"

My brows narrowed when I heard her shout.

I directly faced her.

"It was last year since he started manipulating and gaslighting me." Malakas ang boses niya ngunit hindi na iyon pasigaw. "Mabait siya noong una, perfect boyfriend. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong nangyari sa kaniya ngayon at biglang... naging... ganito siya."

I pressed my lips. I didn't know what to say.

"Sana nasagot ko ang tanong mo." Tipid siyang ngumiti. "Good night!"

"Good ni..." Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko nang pagsarhan niya ako ng gate.

Okay...

That feels weird.

Why am I even asking questions?

I don't know her.

At all.

Sa family house ako dumiretso after leaving Mae's place. I am not exactly suicidal—pero sa dami ng iniisip ko ngayon, baka hindi ko mamalayan na umiinom na pala ako ng pesticide.

Prevention is better than cure.

"Woah... himala! May nauwi!"

It's almost midnight so I was shocked to see my brother and my cousin, Scott, at our veranda. Hindi ko inakalang masasaktuhan kong nandito sila at magkasama habang nag-iinuman.

"What the hell?" Umasim agad ang mukha ko. "Nagre-red horse kayo nang ganitong oras?"

I don't get these two. They are always saying that they're never going to drink anymore—for a change. And now, what? Tumitira sila ng alak?