Disclaimer: Any correspondence in this story that might exist in real life such as person, living or dead and actual events are purely coincidental. This story contains unnecessary scenes that aren't suitable for children.
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Vernel's Point of View
I was in the middle of the sea. Alone. And nowhere to be found. While the sea and skies enraged, I was there... wide awake seeking its mercy. The place was filled with darkness, like nightmares that crawls into your head. I see nothing but dark clouds, wild waves, and heavy rain. As thick drops of rain covered my eyes, my eyes started to blur.
Giant waves relentlessly thump me down, raging with madness. Forcing my feet and hands to paddle just enough for my head to be seen while catching a breath. It was the slightest hope that I could make it alive just by doing it until someone could found me. However, it didn't last long...
My hands start to feel numb and my feet strained so much that it hurts. I shouted and begged for help.
It became my last resort... But then, who would? And who could? Who could lure around these gigantic waves? Who would risk such life and come to save me?
There's no way out. Waves kept on pinning me down. My body is exhausted. My mind is filled with absence. My eyes starts to feel tired. Kaya sa dumating na hampas ng malalaking alon ay tuluyan kong ibinigay ang katawan ko rito. My whole body is not functioning. Tila nawalan na ito ng pag-asa.
I can feel the sea that kept on pulling me, letting myself sink and drowned by the depth of sea water. Hinayaan ko ang sarili na mawalan ng hininga. Bago ko paman tuluyang pinikit ang aking mata ay may biglang umilaw mula sa ibabaw. Parang nag-aalab na apoy ang kulay nito. Muli akong nabigyan ng pag-asa. Sinubukan kong lumangoy patungo sa ibabaw ngunit masyado na akong malalim. Nawawalan na rin ako ng lakas. Kaya sa muling paggalaw ko ng aking katawan ay tuluyan na akong nawalan ng hininga. Dahan-dahang kong pinikit aking mata, accepting defeat.
I was in the verge of offering myself to death, when the light above became brighter than it was. Mas lalo itong lumiwanag, tila nasa harapan ko na ito. I can feel the warmth from it. The coldness of the sea that hugged around my body suddenly became warm.
"Poor child."
Tinig iyon ng isang babae. Tila nang-aakit. Dahan-dahan kong naramdaman ang kaniyang malamyos na paghaplos sa aking pisnge. Even her hand is warm. Who is she?
"Breathe..." she whispered.
Gaya ng kaniyang binulong ay sinubukan kong huminga at kasabay nun ang paglapat ng kaniyang malambot na labi sa aking labi.
Minulat ko ang aking mata at nagbabaka sakaling masilayan ang kaniyang mukha. As soon as I opened my eyes, nasilaw ang aking mga mata sa sikat ng araw na nagmula sa aking bintana. Hingal at puno ng pawis akong bumangon sa aking higaan. Umaga na at kasalukuyan ako na nasa aking silid.
I dreamt about it again... It happened most of the time. The voice of that woman. The scenario on the sea. The waves. And her touch...
Palaging iyon napuputol kapag malapit ko nang imulat ang aking mata, or when I'm about to open my eyes to finally see what her face looks like.
Since I was young, that scene happens to appear in my dreams whenever I sleep at night. I woke up depending on how long it was. Minsan hindi sa dagat. Minsan sa gubat din.
Napabaling ako sa gilid ng aking kama kung saan may kabinet at sa ibabaw nito ay nakalagay ang aking alarm. It is passed 7 AM. Tuwing nananaginip ako ng ganoon, hindi ko namamalayan ang pagtunog nito. Even the alarm couldn't wake me up.
I sighed. Mahuhuli na naman ata ako sa klase. I still have to attend my class at 7:30 AM. Humikab ako at kinusot ang aking mga mata. I only have 30 minutes to get ready. Mukhang liliban muna ako sa breakfast.
