The next following weeks become more torture for me. I get bored day by day and get sick of helping other people. I badly want to find a human that is willing to sacrifice their body. I wanted to do something for someone to sacrifice their body but I know I will only increase my sin.
"Hindi ka ba talaga sasama sa akin bukas?" Kaito ask me again for the nth time. "Come on, Spain na kaya 'yon! Ayaw mo bang bisitahin ang bansa kung saan ka nanggaling?"
"Will you please stop convincing me to come with you? Are you stupid? You want me to go there? You know what I've been through in that country." I told him. Can't he just leave now? So I can no longer see his face.
"Alam ko, pero malay mo kapag nakabalik ka ron---" I glared at him so he stopped talking for a while before talking again. "I will go straight to Japan afterward. I will be there for a few months before going back here...for good," he was hesitant when he said that. He seemed to be worried about what my reaction would be.
"You're resigning?" I asked without looking at him, my eyes remained in front. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him nod slowly. "Why? Did she tell you to leave me, too?"
"Magreresign ako pero hindi kita iiwan," he answered cautiously.
"That's not even the answer to my question," I whispered.
"My mother is sick. Gusto ni Mama na dito nalang ako sa Pilipinas habang nagpapagaling siya. Wala ring ibang mag-aalaga sa kaniya kung hindi ako lang."
"If you resign, how will you pay for the hospital bills?" I asked him.
"I have some savings. I can use that to start a small business."
I stared at him for a moment before I faked a laugh. "Liar. Just tell me that you are also one of those I will lose. You don't have to make excuses for me," I told him. "It's okay. Don't go to Japan anymore. Hand me your resignation once you're done in Spain," I said and stood up. "I'm going somewhere. Lock the door when you leave."
I sigh as I get out of the house. If I stay inside and talk to him he will see how I feel. Losing someone close to me is not new anymore but it still hurts. It hurts to the point that I can't say how much it hurts. All I need to do is to act like it's just nothing to me but it does.
I walked straight until I stopped in front of a pole. I remained standing there until I saw a man running. I slightly kicked his right leg, the reason why he lost his balance. I sighed before I pulled him up and got the bag he was holding.
"Snatching is a bad thing," I said while acting like I was disappointed in him.
"Sino ka ba?!" he asked. He was about to go closer to me but I preceded him.
"You," I said seriously. "Look me straight in the eyes. Go to the police station and return the bag you snatched" I told him. I reached out his hand to hand over the bag before I tapped him on the shoulder. He blinked twice before walking away.
I rolled my eyes as I tried to find the alcohol in my pocket. I gasped when I remembered that I ran out of alcohol and forgot to refill it. I went straight to the nearest 7/11.
"Good evening, Ma'am," the boy greeted me. I just gave him the alcohol and didn't even bother to greet him back. After paying, I bought a coffee before sitting outside the convenience store. I wanted to go somewhere else but I was too lazy.
I was enjoying my coffee when I suddenly heard a man's voice. 'I wish to give my body. I wish to die.' I was suddenly aroused by what I heard. The first thing that came to my mind was that he could be the person I was waiting for.
In just a blink of an eye I was already inside the elevator going to the rooftop. When it opened, I quickly found the guy. I saw a man sitting at the edge of the rooftop. I quietly walked closer to him before leaning against the railings and stared at his back.
I slowly looked at the thing next to him and almost laughed when I saw some beer. A drunk wish, huh?
"You won't die if you just sit there and don't jump. Do you want me to push you?" I asked while laughing.
He didn't seem surprised when I spoke. He just continued drinking the beer. I waited for him to finish it and was about to walk closer to him when he suddenly turned his head to me.
I was taken aback when I finally saw his face. What a fucking confidence. I saw how his eyes widened when he saw me but I still managed to hide my emotion.
I proceeded to approach him and sat down next to him. I can still feel his gaze but I pretended like it was nothing to me. I placed my hands in my jacket before inhaling the cold air.
"Why are you here?" he curiously asks me. I look at him and smile before looking away again.
"You called me here," I answered him.
"Huh?"
I laughed a little, "I wish to give my body. I wish to die. I heard you saying that."
"Oh," he murmured, "I thought I won't see you again. You left without saying anything last week."
I immediately looked back at him when I heard him say. "Can you remember me?" I asked, unable to contain my shock.
"What? You think I'm too old to forget you?" he laughingly said.
"I mean, I made you forget me and what happened that day," I whisper. "So what you're saying is, you even saw what I did at your Restaurant?" I asked him.
"What you did?" he curiously asked. There was a hope in me that I did make him forget some part of it but it also disappeared as soon as he spoke. "Right, you saved the baby. The mother wants to talk to you but I told her that you already left."
I was silent for a moment. My head hurts at the thought of what all this means. He can see everything in me and my spell can't work on him. But I can still hear his wish so what is he? What can be his role in my life? I sighed before shaking my head to stop thinking.
"Why did you wish to die?" I asked him, changing the topic.
"Nothing," he quickly answered. A moment of silence happened before he spoke again. "Did you, perhaps, tried to wish na sana ikaw nalang at hindi ang mga taong mahal mo sa buhay?"
I couldn't answer immediately. Memories of me with my family suddenly popped up into my mind. I smiled a little before sighing. Those memories still haunt me every night. It was one of the happiest but most painful I have ever experienced.
"I wish to die for them. I wish to sacrifice my body for them. It was my birthday today and my family got into an accident," he faked a laugh a little, "nakakatawa lang kasi ang saya ko kanina tapos makakatanggap ako ng tawag galing sa hospital. Dead on arrival. No one survived."
That is when I finally looked at him. "Don't give me that look, don't pity me. Gusto ko lang sabihin kasi pakiramdam ko kailangan ko 'tong ilabas," he said to me before drinking his beer. "I just wanted to celebrate my birthday with them and see them after almost a year," he added.
"Do you want me to fulfill your request?" I asked him seriously. He looked up at me before laughing.
"Are you saying that to comfort me?" he asked me, still laughing.
"No, I'm saying this to grant your wish. I'll bring back your family. I'll let them live. But in exchange for that, you have to give me your body and die." I said while looking straight at him. He stopped drinking and stared at me. After a few seconds, my forehead furrowed when he suddenly burst out laughing. "Stop laughing or else I'll push you," I warned him.
"Why? To prove to me that you can rea---" before he could finish what he was saying I pushed him without a warning before jumping too. I effortlessly grabbed him by his collar and quickly returned to the rooftop.
"That was… so close," he said while still catching his breath. I just shook my head before going back to where we were earlier. He immediately followed and sat down next to me, still trying to catch his breath.
"What now? I need your answer so I know if I'm just wasting time with you or not," I told him. "What? Did you get scared?" I asked, trying to tease him.
"No," he said while taking a deep breath. "I know you won't let me die. I was just really surprised because you pushed me."
"What do you mean?"
"I know there is something strange about you since we first met. And it's not my first time seeing you at the Restaurant," I raised a brow at him which shows I don't get what he's saying, "I already saw you a few years ago. It just happens that I always see you once every year, helping someone. To be honest, I was shocked when I saw at the restaurant, with all those scars and bruise---"
"Can you please stop mentioning that when you're with me? I feel uncomfortable" I cut him off.
"So what are you? Like someone in a fantasy novel? A goblin? Someone, who has power?" he asked.
I averted my eyes from him before answering, "Let's just say I'm a person who can't move forward. Like something stuck somewhere because it is no longer needed."
"That's deep. Did you commit sin from your past life? Wait, are you alive or dead?"
I was completely taken aback by his question. "I'm not sure," I told him. "I'm not sure if I'm alive or dead. I'm simply stuck. I merely exist. I'm trapped in a time zone that can never be reversed. So, tell me now. I'll let them live in exchange for your body. Do you want to live or do you want your family to live again?"
He laughed a bit. "What's the difference? Nothing will change the fact that we will never meet again." I remained silent again because of his answer. "How long have you been punished? How old are you?"
"I'm older than you think," I told him. "Don't ask me questions like that if you won't believe in my answer."
"I'll believe you."
"Approximately 1,200?" I told him. "I'm 1,200 years old."
His mouth turned into an 'o' for a second before clearing his throat and looking away.
"Does your punishment mean you can't die? You are getting older but your appearance doesn't change?"
"Not knowing my punishment is my punishment," I answered. "And don't try to joke at me. You can see my scars. I'm sure the first thing that comes to your mind is ‘I look ugly.’"
"No," he said while shaking his head. "You look perfect with the scars and bruises on your face," he said seriously. I was stunned by what he said but recovered quickly. "I've been wanting to ask you this since last week," I looked at him again. "Are you a foreigner? Don't get me wrong, pero hindi pa kita naririnig magsalita ng Tagalog pero mukhang naiintindihan mo naman ako."
"I'm half Spanish and half Canadian," I answered. "I can understand Tagalog and I know how to speak in Tagalog as well. I'm just not comfortable and I don't have the courage to use your language," I explained.
"You don't need the courage to speak Tagalog," he suddenly said. "So if you're Spanish and Canadian, why are you here in the Philippines? Why aren't you in Spain or Canada?"
"I just can't. And I... like it here," he nodded at my answer so I asked him.
"You're immortal," he suddenly said out of nowhere.
"Immortal, my foot," I laughed a little. "So what? Do you accept the deal or not?" I asked him again for the third time. When I noticed that he had no intention of answering, I stood up. "I guess I'm just wasting my time on you then," I said and started to walk away. I was at the door when he suddenly spoke again.
"If I agree to the deal does it mean that we will meet every day?" I turned to him because of his question. He was already standing while looking at me. "If that's the case, then it's a deal."
"What?!" I stood up in annoyance when I heard what the woman I was talking to said on the phone. "I've been waiting for almost a month now and you're saying you have run out of stock? You think I'm a joke?!""Stop shouting and sit down," he told me but I ignored him."What? You can't make one for me? You said I was the first one who ordered that brand when I called you," I continued."We're very sorry, Ma'am. The person you talked to just resigned last week and I was the newly hired. I don't know that we will run out of stock so I've sent the bags to those who live near us," she explained. I dropped the call out of irritation before I threw my phone on the table before sitting down."Why? What's wrong?" he asked me. We're here at his Restaurant because he told me to come here. "Did something bad happen?""The brand of the bag that I ordered last month got canceled because they ran out of stock," I told him before rolling my eyes. "Do they think I was a joke? I was the first one who o
"Are you okay?" he asked me before sitting down next to me offering me a beer. I just shook my head before sighing. After that conversation, I received a call from him that's why I am with him right now."Huwag mo namang ipahalatang hindi ka masaya na kasama mo ako ngayon," he said while laughing."No," I said and shook my head. "Good thing you called me.""Bakit? May nangyari ba?" he asked me right away."Nothing," I told him. "You," I looked at him, "does my scars bother you?""Hindi naman," he shook his head. "Bakit? Are you afraid that I might judge you with those bruises and scars of yours?""I just thought your answer would be yes," I answered. "Have you ever tried to ask someone to kill you? Have you ever tried to... beg someone to just let you die?" I asked him as I looked away. We are here now on the rooftop of his condominium and the lights of the buildings and houses are starting to comfort me."I'm not sure," he said. "Have you?"I nodded. "Yes. Earlier when you called an
"Why? You can't stand it? It is not who I really am yet. I'm giving you a chance. Runaway and back out from the deal. I won't give you consequence if you do," I told him. "Runaway as far as you can," he then just looked at me. We both became silent while just looking into each other's eyes. He opened his mouth but no words came out. "Runaway from me, Asher. I am giving you a chance now to do so," I said again.He averted his gaze from me and looked in front before taking hold of the steering wheel. "Let's go home," he said before starting to drive. No one dared to talk until we got back to Manila."What's your address? I'm going to take you home," he said. I just told him my address and didn't talk again. When his car stopped in front of my house, no one dared to move at all."I gave you the chance of running away but you gave that up," I said and looked at him. "If you try to run away from me, I'll kill you.""You're telling me to run away but the fact that you call me for the first
"Safe na ‘yong bata. Okay ka na ba?" he asked me as he handed me a bottle of water. He sat down next to me. "His father is on his way," he added. After a few minutes, a man in his normal clothes came. "Waki!" he shouted when he saw the child. I saw the fear in the boy's eyes before quickly running behind a policeman. "Ayos ka lang ba? Anong nangyari sa 'yo?" he asked him. The kid is trying to avoid that man's hand. "Ikaw ho ba ang tatay?" The policeman asked him while."Oo. Ano bang nangyari sa kaniya?" he asked again that's why I rolled my eyes."Stop acting like you didn't know what happened. You were there earlier," I said. Everyone looked at me because of what I said. "I saw you chasing him.""A-ano bang sinasabi mo? Sino k-ka ba?" he asked in annoyance before looking at Marc again. "Waki, anak, halika na at umuwi na tayo" he said but Marc hid behind the policemen even more."Mawalang galang na ho, Sir. Pero base po sa kilos ng bata ay hindi niya po gustong sumama sa inyo. May n
"Please, Sia! Just this once. Samahan mo na ako. Please!" I just frowned even more as I looked at it earlier. "Please, please, please," he begged as he almost knelt down."You woke me up for that?" I asked him again. He just pouted and looked away. After a few seconds, he started to beg again. He just woke me up because he said he had something important to say."Sige na kasi, uuwi rin naman tayo kaagad! Magpapakita lang ako!""You're going home din naman pala kaagad. Why are you taking me with you pa?""Kasi gusto ko..""I'm not into crowded places, Asher. I don't attend parties," I told him."It's not a party, it's a reunion," he insisted. "And reunion," I added before I rolled my eyes."Sumama ka na kasi. Paano kapag may biglang mangyari? Paano kapag may manakal sa akin o bumaril o sumaksak? Paano kapag namatay ako?!""Fine!" I told him as a sign of defeat. "If we spend an hour there I will kill you myself!" I warned him. I went straight to my room to get dressed. It's already 5
"Okay ka na?" he asked me the next day. I just nodded at him before finally getting in his car. I asked him to accompany me to where I am going today. "Saan tayo pupunta?" he asked while smiling."Just drive," I answered. He nodded and obeyed what I said. I was just silent as I watched the other vehicles. I smiled when I found the car that I was looking for. "Follow that car," I told him as I pointed to the white car in front of us. "Let the driver know that we're following him," I commanded again. He nodded and stepped on the gas."Place your car beside it," I said before opening the window beside me. "Just follow the car," I told him and in a snap, I'm already inside their car."Hi," I saw how his eyes widened and were surprised to see me sitting next to him."Paanong..." he was unable to finish what he was saying out of panic."Drive safely, mababangga tayo," I told him. I looked at the backseat and saw a little boy crying. Without a warning, I stopped the car which made him even
Third Person's POV"Mierda (Shit)," mahinang mura niya ng makitang tumilapon ang dalawang lalaki. Kating-kati na ang mga paa niyang lapitan ang mga ito para makita kung ayos lang ba sila. Nakakunot lamang ang noo nito habang nakatingin sa lalaking mukhang tangang nagtatago sa likod ng babae."Sinabi ko naman sa 'yong hindi ka magtatagumpay sa binabalak mo. Hindi na siya ang dati mong kilala."Napairap ito bago tumingin sa katabi niyang bigla na lamang sumulpot mula kung saan. Alam niyang bawat galaw nito ay binabantayan niya ngunit ang ipinagtataka niya lamang ay kung bakit hindi siya nito pinapakialaman sa tuwing ginagawa na niya ang balak niya."Vete a la mierda." (Fuck off) Bakas ang inis sa boses ng babae at tuluyan ng naglakad palapit doon sa dalawang lalaki nang nakaalis na iyong dalawa. "Molesto ya." (Nakakainis na)-----"Saan ka galing?" Asher asked me when I got back to his condo."I helped someone outside. Do you have alcohol?" I asked him. I forgot my alcohol at home. He
"Drink plenty of water so you won't feel dry," he told me when we got inside the house. He went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. After I drank that, I went straight to my room to take a shower. I left the door open so he would know that it was okay for him to enter.When I came out of the bathroom, I found him looking at the framed pictures I have inside my room. I didn't speak and just let him do it."Ikaw 'to?" he asked while pointing at a small frame. It was my picture when I was still a kid."Yes. My Dad took that photo," I answered him while drying my hair."Ikaw ulit 'to?" he asked again while laughing. He took the frame and showed it to me. "Ang dungis mo tingnan dahil sa chocolate sa mukha mo pero ang cute pa rin!" he said, obviously teasing me. "Ito pa, para kang nawawalang bata! Ang liit liit mo, pwedeng-pwede kang ibulsa!"I just rolled my eyes because of what he was saying. I had a lot of pictures when I was a kid because my dad loved taking photos. I l