Azalea: Tale of the Lost Specters

A-7

Inception
AZALEA

I rushed off to the parking lot, as soon as Philip told me about it, not minding those people I left without a word. It's only Papa George that I can think of. My mind is surrounded with fear, anxiety and negativity. I cannot let this happen. It's Papa George's life at stake.

He's the reason why I am still alive. Papa George brought me a new life.

Philip opened the door of his car for me to get in. Mabuti nalang at naka-sunod siya agad sa akin matapos kong maglakad ng mabilis pagkarinig na pagkarinig pa lamang sa balita. Pagka-pasok ko sa sasakyan, mabilis naman niyang isinara ang pinto at madaling nagpunta sa driver's seat.

Alam kong hindi lang ako ang nag-aalala rito, pati na rin siya dahil una sa lahat, siya ang totoong apo ni Papa George. Sampid lang naman ako.

While we're on our way, I cannot help it but remember that time...

I'm in the middle of the bridge. All I could hear is the whispering wind and the sound of the waves underneath that is matching the cold air.

Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc.

I looked at where was the sound came from. There's a clock saying that it's already 10 seconds before midnight.

Am I in London? Standing in the middle of the London Bridge and looking at the Big Ben?

Ting. Ting.
12:00 Midnight.

"Happy Birthday to me." I greeted myself knowing that no one would ever greet me.

I lost my family, my friends and now I'm lost in an unknown city.

Do I really have a family in the first place? I didn't know who I am now. Am I still the Azalea Ortiz that grew up with Helena and Francisco Ortiz? Ang Helena and Francisco Ortiz na walang ginawa kundi gawin akong alipin. Ngayong alam ko na ang katotohanan ay pinalayas na nila ako. I have nowhere to go. Even my friends, or should I say, "so-called" friends told me to go away so I ran and now, I didn't know where I am.

I stood at the side of the bridge where there is a metal fence that prevents me from falling. I felt the cold air against my skin. Buti nalang at hindi gaano kalamig. I don't have anything at this moment.

Why can't I just end my own life? I'm all alone now.

I stood against the metal fence. I felt its coldness against my skin.

No, I can't just end my own life. This is a sin.

I take a look at the water below. I don't have family, I don't have someone to lean on, but still, I want to continue my life. I want to find the lost pieces of myself.

Step back now, Az. Step back.

Beep. Beep.

I was startled, my foot slipped and I fell.

"Ah!"

Splash.

I felt the cold water against my skin. I don't know how to swim.

I don't want to die. Please, let me live.

Naramdaman ko ang sakit ng pagkaka-bagsak ko. Buhay pa ako. Nakakaramdam pa ako. Pinipilit kong umangat mula sa pagkakalubog sa tubig ngunit hindi ko magawa dahil sa sakit ng katawan ko. Huling ala-ala na mayroon ako noong oras na iyon ay ang pagkakatama ng noo ko sa isang bato.

I WOKE up with a heavy feeling, my whole body is in pain and I can't even move. What's happening?

I tried to remember what happened, me-falling down on that bridge and feeling hopeless. How can I still be alive?