Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Simula

Tahimik lamang si Nat na nagmamasid sa aking tabi. She seemed to be studying the venue while I was busy biting my lips and pinching my hands and arms from time to time.

Biglang may lalaking umupo sa aking gilid. His facade is similar to a prince and his aura screams heavens. He looks carefree with his wide smile and fresh attire.

"Good evening, gorgeous," malaki ang ngiting bati n'ya sa akin. Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata.

"Good evening..." I trailed off not knowing how to address him.

"I'm Magnus. At your service," sabay yuko nito ng kaunti. He seemed harmless but I've got a feeling that I have already met him somewhere.

"Cut the formality. I'm Priyanka. This is Natalia," itinuro ko si Nat na tango lamang ang tugon. Kinuha ko ang tubig na binigay ng waiter at ininom ito.

"I've finally met the Priyanka Guevarra," I shot my brows up at him and gave him a questioning look. "Sorry. I'm a fan of your works," he added.

"It's nice having a handsome fan," I pointed out. He smirked at my remark. My gaze stayed on his side. Something about the guy itches my brain telling it fully function.

Nag-sound check naman ang emcee na nasa stage at sinabing pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ay mag-uumpisa na ang programa.

"What's your name again?" tanong ko ng walang pag-aalinlangan. Someone wouldn't have the audacity to wear his intimidating aura if he isn't...

He stopped for a moment and cleared his throat.

"Magnus. Magnus Agustin," he formally said.

Oh.

Oh God.

"Why? Is there something wrong?" dagdag niya.

"Wala naman," maikli kong tugon kasabay ng pagpawi ang ngiti ko. Kusang lumalapit ang mga bagay na pilit iniiwasan.

The speaker is now stating his gratitudes and all. Naramdaman ko ang medyo pagsikip ng dibdib ko.

They are now playing a slideshow of some photos of the celebrant. Mas lalo akong kinabahan.

Bumaling ako kay Nat at nagpaalam. A mere contact with one of them and I hyperventilate.

"I'll just get some fresh air," binigyan n'ya ako ng nag-aalalang tingin at lumingon-lingon.

"Do you want me to come with you?" tanong n'ya na kinakabahan.

"No, it's okay. Mabilis lang ako," I held my chest when I was a little further to them. This entire thing is suffocating me. Nagpalinga-linga ako at hinanap ang balcony na namataan ko kanina.

Nagmadali akong pumunta doon at napahawak sa barandilya. My eyes were forming tears as I felt my chest getting tighter and tighter. I tried composing my breathing only to fail.

I looked up at the stars scattered randomly at the sky like glass shattered on the shore.

Are you there? Can you see me?

Muli kong ipinikit ang aking mata nang maramdaman ang bara sa aking lalamunan.

"It's okay. It's o-okay. Calm down. P-Please," nangangatal kong bulong sa sarili. Paulit-ulit ko itong binabanggit.

"Now let's all welcome the one and only, Mr. Joaquin Agustin. Let's give him a round of applause," kasunod noon ay ang malakas na palakpakan at ang sakit sa aking dibdib.

The loud cheers filled my ears but I can't seem to hear a single sound. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pag-ikot ng paningin ko.

I began hearing my faint screams. Seeing that dark and tiny room with a little window. Sirens. Blood. Like the nightmares I used to have.

"Shit," this is bad.

Balak ko sanang tawagan na si Nat nang may naramdaman akong presensya sa likod. Sa paraan ng pagtanaw niya sa akin ay alam ko na agad kung sino ito.

No one ever made me feel this intimidated like this man.

Dahan-dahan ko siyang hinarap.

Only to see the familiar pair of eyes staring down at mine. He looked very different. His body's more defined and his features matured a lot. He still got that golden tan that shone in his white button down polo and black coat. I studied him more, all angles and all sides. It was quite dark but I can see him clearly.

It's been years.

"Lorenzo."

Akma s'yang lalapit sa pagtawag ko ngunit agad akong umiling. Lalong bumilis ang paghinga ko at mas lalong sumikip ang dibdib ko. He's the last person I wanted to see in this situation.

"Priya..." medyo natataranta n'yang saad nang bahagya akong napaluhod. Nangingilid na ang luha ko sa hindi maipaliwanag na sakit.

"Huwag k-kang lalapit," I managed to said in between heavy breathes. Naramdaman ko ang pagdilim ng aking paningin at pag-gaan ng aking ulo.

Through another person's point of view, I may look like a crazy lady almost kneeling in front of him.

"Let me help you," his eyes reflected softness and he said those words in the most gentle way.

Pinagmamasdan n'ya ako na parang isang sinaunang bagay na kapag hinawakan n'ya ay mababasag. He stared at me as if he's memorizing everything in me. As if he's redaing through me.

"Don't. Please d-don't," nagsimulang pumatak ang luha ko mula sa lahat ng sakit. Gusto kong ilabas lahat pero hindi ko magawa. Tuluyan akong napaluhod at sinimulang i-dial si Nat.

"N-Nat..." nanghihina kong sabi.

"President. Nasaan ka? Where are you?" ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagkabalisa sa tono n'ya.

"Help me. H-Help me..." napatingala ako sa sobrang sakit ng dibdib ko. I tried punching it only to feel worse.

Mula sa kabilang linya ay pakinig ko ang malalalim na paghinga ni Nat at ang yabag ng kanyang paa.

Napatingin ako sa lalaking nasa harap ko na pinantayan ang tingin ko. His hands were halfway in my face and I can sense how he tried to stop himself from getting closer.

"Please. Let me help you," malumanay nitong sambit. He's begging me this time.

"You..." hindi ko magawang maituloy ang aking sasabihin. Kasabay ng pagpatak ng luha ko ang pagbagsak ng katawan ko.

This place is hell for me in the first place. Pero sinubukan ko. Sinubukan ko at nagbakasakali na makakatakas na ako sa lahat ng takot at pangamba. After all those years, I still can't forget what they've done to me. To my family.

I didn't felt any impact from the ground but rather from strong arms. I blinked twice only to see him caressing my cheeks and whispering to me.

"Don't leave me again, Priya," kasunod noon ay ang pag-angat niya pati ang malakas at sunod-sunod na sigaw ni Nat ng pangalan ko.