Kakaunti nalang ang tao sa room, kanina pa natapos ang klase. May ibang naunang umalis at nagpaiwan para maglinis, katulad ko. Hindi ko hilig ang maglinis, yet I'm still here...guarding Charmeine.
I gaze at her smiling face. She's mopping the floor while talking to someone. Hindi maipagkakaila na friendly nga siya. Her personality is bubbly and easy to deal with me. Not like mine. Para akong pinagsaklooban parati ng itim na ulap at may kidlat na naka-paligid. My face ain't the angelic one, mukhang wala palagi sa mood kaya wala rin'g nag aatubili na lumapit, I could kick their asses. My facial expressions show it all, ayaw kong makipagkaibigan sa iba. I have the everyday poker and I don't care look.
Sometimes, your friend can be your greatest enemy. Distancing myself to other people is futile, for I am link with Charmeine. Kahit anong pilit ko lumayo, pilit akong hinihila pabalik. I don't consider her as a friend, but the way she treats me even just for today made me happy. At least, someone was able to showed me care.
I picked up some crumpled paper on the floor and throw it at the garbage can.
Hanggang ngayon nag aalinlangan parin ako. What will happen next? Will everything be okay after that? My mind is spacing again. I'm scared knowing the next thing that will happen later can either be a light or dark for me.
"Miss Morana, masyado ka naman atang lutang na hindi mo sa trashbin natatapon ang basura." a cold voice awaken me from spacing.
Heck! I looked at some crumpled papers. He's right! Sa sobrang lutang ko ay lampas na sa trash bin ang mga papel, some are even outside the room. What the hell! I should relaxe a bit, so I did.
I sighed. I should come up on my final decision. Hindi puwede na lito ang isip ko, I need a fix line to walk.
I ignored the guy and went on to picked the crampled paper again, this time marahan ko na iyong nilagay sa basurahan.
"Libi! I'm done mopping the floor" Charmeine's voice was energetic as she went to me but immediately stopped, her face turn into a ripe tomato again.
Nakatingin siya sa lalaking katabi ko. I never turn my head on the guy next to me, I can feel that his tall, mga lampas balikat lang ata niya ako. Sa tingin ko ay nasa 6 ang tangkad niya. Not the typical short nor really tall guy but enough for a woman with an average height like me to say, he's indeed tall.
His aura seems familiar, very but I can't recognize it.
"Ahihi friends na kayo?"
My forehead knotted. Friends? porket magkatabi kaibigan agad?
"No"
"Yes" we both answered in unison. Who the heck is this guy? Masyado naman atang friendly. As far as I know si Charmeine lang ang makapal ang mukha na nagdeklarang kaibigan ko, kasama rin pala siya.
"HA?"
"We're not friends. Let's go" I said with finality. I picked my bag at nauna nang lumabas. But I can still feel his gaze at me. Nakasunod, animo'y nagaantay na matapilok ako. You wish!
This dude! What is his problem? Does he like my bag? Props lang naman to, at wala talagang kalaman laman, maybe I should give this to him? Para tumigil na. Napapatawa nalang ako sa sariling naiisip, his eyes are obviously focused on me, not on my bag.
"Oh, I thought, kasi minsan lang lumapit si Yael sa mga babae, he's not that friendly" sumunod si Charmeine, may pagdududa sa kilos. No worries girl, I have no intention in being friend with your Yael guy. I know where I stand and my barracks keep my distance. I don't even like being close to other people, ikaw lang.
Charmaine's now beside me holding her bag, may hinahalungkat na bagay ata, nakakunot ang noo at di mapakali, siguro importante.
So that guy is Yael? The popular guy na binibigyan pa ng pagkain ng mga babae. Bini-baby pa siya damulag na nga. Unintentionally, I rolled my eyes.
I ignored her words, and directly faces the street. Few students walk around, some are holding books probably another bookworm who's now ready to go home. Others, carrying their girlfriend’s bags while being clingy. Seriously? I want to puke, for me that's so cheesy and cringe but I guess that's how they show love for their girl and boyfriends.
Hindi ako sanay na may nakikitang naglalampungan sa paligid ko. I remembered the last time, when two teenagers kissed at the back of the gymnasium, aksidente kung natitigan ang mata ng dalaga. She was screaming in pain by being tortured by her ex-boyfriend. Bob wires were wrapped in her neck as she struggles to find air.
Those were the exact scenario I've seen. Pero gaya ng nakaugalian, I never told it to anyone. I kept it to myself, kahit kinakain ng konsensya, and if would tell it to some police or investigators, they will ask some questions kung bakit ko alam, kung naroon ba'ko o kasabwat. Her family and boyfriend obcourse, graved for her. Sending riots and petition for justice. I puffed out.
They never claim justice for the victim. Hindi ko rin naman kilala ang ex-boyfriend niya, his face was a bit blurry in the woman's eyes, only death's aura and presence is clear, kahit nakatago ang mukha alam kong nakakapanindig balahibo ang itsura niya.Naglakad kami patungong eskinita, kung saan nakaparada ang mga sasakyan.
"Ahm.. Mauna kana pala, may pinapakuha pa kasi sina mama sakin."
Mukhang nahanap na niya ang kanina pa niya hinahalungkat, her right hand is holding a paper. May nakalista roon, I can't see it clearly.I stop and gulp my saliva. I silently bite my tongue.
Binasa ko ang aking labi at humarap sa kanya ng deretso, hindi pareho kanina na medyo nakatagilid at iniiwasan ang mata na makatagpo. I look straight. Again, the same scenario replayed many times.
"Where?" am I doing the right thing?
"Ah, diyan lang sa may isang kanto." I bit my lower lip and gathered some fresh air.
"I'll go with you" Be brave, Libitina. It's now or never.
"Sure ka? Pero malapit lang naman eh. Kahit hindi kana sumama para makauwi ka agad"
"Yes, and don't worry about me I can just call my driver later." My mind is in chaos, but I should stick to my decision.
Charmeine Erelah, why am I saving you? Who really are you?
Ano kaba sa buhay ko? I could easily ignore someone's death.
I am curious at the same time scared, wala akong masyadong alam, I have lots of questions pero pinilig ko nalang ang ulo ko.
Over the past years normal na sakin ang may namamatay but when I was drown in her eyes, memories came back and flushed my mind.
"Sige! Ang yaman mo pala pero bakit nag jeep kalang kanina?"
"To experience, I guess" kibit balikat kong sagot.
Sumabay ako sa lakad ni Charmeine, makipot ang kalsada at halos walang mga bahay ang madadaan. The sun sets earlier so it's dark now. Why would she even go to this kind of place in this time? Pwede namang hapon kung saan may araw pa.
"First time kong may makasabay, tapos ikaw pa! Alam mo bang marami ang gustong makipag kaibigan sayo? Matagal na kitang nakikita mag isa mula pa nung lower year. Pero napakailap mo" if only you all knew dear, hindi ka makikipagkaibigan sakin, and you will all despise and curse me.
This is just me, covered with fake porcelain paper to look beautiful. But when you look inside, I'm just a broken glass, shattered pieces to pieces, and thrown.
I stopped when i can feel a tension beside Charmeine. The over intimidating aura!
The one who I see everytime when I take a glimpse.
Dark smoke! He's here!
Death.
I gulped. My knees trembled.
This is the first time I'll encounter Death. Noo'y palagi ko lang siyang nakikita sa mata ng tao. Ngayon nasa gilid ko na siya.
"Ah Libitina, dito ka nalang mabilis lang ako, Ayan na ang bahay nila tito" my eyes sets at the house she pointed. Maliit ito at gawa sa kahoy.
I nodded. My forehead is sweating like bullets!
Hindi ko pinaalam kay Charmeine na nakasunod ako sa kanya. I tried my hardest to hide my presence.
He's holding his scythe. Blood is dripping on it. Malamang ay may pinatay nanaman siya. He's hood is still covering his face.
Am I really the one who can see him?
Death is only focusing on his target. Hindi niya ko nakita o napansin.
I picked up a large stone, mabigat
iyon pero kaya ko namang buhatin.Being able to take a glimpse of death, made my senses heightened. My sense of sight, smelling, taste, hearing and touching is on another level. Like a human dragged with an elixers to boost their senses.
He was about to cut Charmeine's head, when i throw it with all my force.
Nasapol ang lalaking adik sa ulo at natumba. Pero agaran ring tumayo at nakatakbo. Blood was even flowing in his head pero isinawalang bahala lang niya iyon.
Charmeine's eyes was wide open and shocked. Dapat ay masasaksak sana siya.
The time our eyes met inside the jeepneh, I've seen her body lifeless on the ground. Nakatusok ang kutsilyo sa likod, sapol ang vital organ, the drug addict was behind her death, the one who I throw the stone at.
I was able to stop her death!
Right now, infront of me, is the woman I saved from death's scythe.
I look at the grim reaper behind her.
Nanindig ang balahibo ko. He's hood is no longer covering his face. Tumutulo ang dugo sa kanyang mata, making it bloody red.
I gulped, lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. My body can feel tension, like an electricity flowing, ripping myself and electrified thousands of times, naka-papanghina.
Sobra pa sa kaba ang nararamdam ko, my knees is wobbling. Just a strong breeze and I'll surely be blown.
He's face is a skeleton, giving me goosebumps. Ngayon nakita ko na ang buo niyang mukha.
He looks angry, very, that It's making me lose all my strength.
Nasa akin na ang buong atensyon niya.
What did I do?
I stopped Death from reaping Charmeine's head, and I don't know if it's a good thing or an unfortunate one.
Note: Grim reaper is Death baka po malito kayo.
Glimpse of Death• Lutang parin akong nakatingin sa kawalan. "Tulong!" with that, I budge. Charmeine vigorously scream. I look at her and shriveled. She has a cut in her arms! Tumutulo ang dugo roon. It's not that frightening for me, yet the way she reacts on it looks very painful, yet bearable. Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya at dumalo. Death wasn't able to reap her head pero nasugatan niya ito. Not that fatal, just enough for me to feel anxious thou. Her arms could be ripped if the criminal have forcefully slit the knife, thank goodness my timing was exact. Death what really are you? Why can I see you? Nakatakas ang drug addict na dapat ay sasaksak sana kay Charmeine. Mabuti nalang at binigyan kami ng first aid kit kaya naman ay nagamot ko ang sugat niya, agaran din siyang dinala sa malapit na hospital. Her uncle looks uneasy for her situation, sinisi rin nito ang sarili. Charmaine look in pain,
Glimpse of Death • I was frozen, my body can't move even an inch. Randam ko ang kaba at takot para sa sarili. Does he know? Nangangapa ako ng sasabihin. If I can see myself right now siguro ay kailangan na'kong salinan ng dugo. My skin is milky white like Snow White's and right now, I'm sure I'm super pale at isang tulak nalang siguro ay mahihimatay na. I gues, I need iron and Vitamin D pero hindi nito matatakpan ang kaba ko ngayon. I'm trembling inside, my blood is spreading like wild fire. I gulped and slowly face him. I manage to look deep in his green mesmerizing eyes, na tila nanunuri sa buo kong pagkatao. I want to be gone right now. His stare is making me feel empty. "W-what?" I stuttered! Masyado bang obvious na kinakabahan ako? If he knew my secret then it will blow my whole existence! Like a bubble popped in mid-air, I'll surely be gone, curse and be back to be thrown again. He walks towar
Glimpse of Death• When I've return to my normal state, I immediately removed my hands in his waist. Mukhang nagulat pa siya sa biglaan kong paggalaw. I turn my gaze elsewhere. Nakakahiya. I'm doom. Dapat hindi ako nagpadala sa agos ng emosyon. It was as if time stopped for a moment just for me to feel home in his arms. Pero ngayon, my cheeks is burning, and I feel uncomfortable with it, lastly I don't want to conceive this feeling anymore. This is the first time I feel shy. Seriously Libitina? You've hugged a stranger? I mean hindi naman talaga stranger si Yael sadyang di lang talaga kami close. He's just my classmate. I run back to our classroom, iniwan ko siya roon, I have no guts to face him. Lastly his stare is uncomfortable. Libitina, you should just forget that scene!! Think of it as a memory near fading. The room was quite kahit walang teacger, baka may naglilista ng noisy.
Glimpse of Death • I woke up in an unfamiliar room. Dahan dahan 'kong kinapa ang paligid. I even check myself to make sure everything's fine. Slowly, I get up and blink my eyes for several times. I was in starstruck. Wow! The bed is on the central part of the room, made with cast-iron and a mixture of brass. A Victorian style! Oh, my goodness! On the right side was a marble topped table, with a traditional crystal lamp. I stood up and was amaze. A soft rug is beneath the bed, the parquet floor makes it more extravagant, feels like I'm walking back in the 80s. The walls is in the shade of burgundy, highlighting different kinds of painting. But only one thing got my attention. The wall infront of the bed was ornamented with an old painting of an angel and demon hugging each other. It looks ancient, but well preserved. No dust can be seen and the frame is made of gold with an intric
Glimpse of Death• We're in the middle of eating our late dinner. Kami lang ang tao at walang kasambahay. Yael boast earlier that he knows how to do all daily chores, unlike me na palaging umaasa sa kasambahay, well good for him. Pwede na siyang mag asawa. The plate is served with beef stake at the center, glazed with sweet and sour sauce. and a salted french fries as a side dish. Hindi ko pa nakakahalati ang pagkain ay tapos na agad si Yael. He drinks his pineapple juice, his adams apple went up and down nakikisabay sa bawat pag inom niya, he licked his lips making it more cherry red. "Stop staring" bumara ang pagkain sa lalamunan ko. Yael immediately offered water. Bwiset talaga! How much more kung tubig ang iniinom ko kanina baka pumasok na'yon sa ilong ko. "I was not staring" depensa ko. "Oh really? Hiyang hiya naman ang labi ko sa kakatitig mo" I rolled my eyes at him and purse my lips.
Glimpse of Death• The cold gushing of winds crashed on my skin. Bawat hampas nito ay mas lumalamig. Past 2 AM when I've decided to roam around the house. Kanina ko pa gustong matulog pero pilit na may bumabagabag sa'king isipan... I just don't know what is it. The mansion is big pero mas malaki pa rin ang amin. The whole house is styled in Victorian. Every step takes you back in that era. Kulang nalang pati suot ko ay magmumukha na'kong eleganteng sinaunang tao. Except, that I'm not that prim and classy. I live my life the way I want it, no dictation from others... Just my own rules and path to take. Nasa likod ako ng bahay, the sweet-scented candle filled my nose, the garden is in full bloom, reflecting the moon's light. Candles encircled the whole garden, siguro araw araw ito pinapalitan...and that takes a lot of time and money! Ang gastos. Yael said that there's no maids pero sino ang nagpapalit ng kandila? And to c
Glimpse of Death• The sun's ray woke me up. Alas dyes nang umaga. Kinusot kusot ko ang mata, I yawned. I'm still sleepy. Tumayo ako at nag inat, I properly arranged the bedroom. Lagot na, nag iingat lang at baka nakamasid lang din naman ang asawa nang Uncle ni Yael, at multuhin ako...and I'm not some thick face woman. Tinatablan din naman ako nang hiya...although I'm used being respected and treated special at home in the Morana's, I was never spoiled. I went to the bathroom and take a cold shower. Sinuot ko ang white summer dress with strawberry designs. It's too cute for me, and too girly for my style but I guess it's not that bad. Alam ko kung pa'no dalhin ang damit, I just don't like wearing this kind. The dress reaches above my knee, revealing my milky white leg. Palagi akong naka high stocking sa school. A bit conservative with style. I found a white ribbon so I tied it around my head. The pair of cream sandals p
Glimpse of Death• I stared at Yael. No great sculpture could properly sculpt his face. It is beyond perfect, when they say no one is perfect, Yael is an exemption. An archangel gifted with golden physics, adored and surely bestowed with greatness. He is beyond imagination. Yael Zerachiel, an archangel thrown out of heaven. If you find your heart make sure to rip it and when that happen, I'll be the happiest 'cause I know you don't deserve to be here. You should fly and be free. Kung nasaan man ang puso mo sana mahanap mo na siya. Knowing that you and I experienced the same thing, being abandon. I wish you to be happy even if I'll be left alone, again. "stop staring Morana" I blinked. His awake! Pretending to sleep. "I was just looking on your side, napaka feelingero mo" "you would always find ways to lie" "Tsk, shut up Zerachiel. Ang pangit mo" "now you divert the topic on my handsome fa