TNP's 1st One-Shot Story Writing Contest Pt. 2

Entry #165

SINAKRIPISYONG PANGARAP

by Kobe V. Mamano

"Cloud Panganiban."

Dinig ko ang sigawan ng kapatid at magulang ko nang banggitin ang pangalan ni Cloud. A wide smile formed at my lips when I saw him walking towards the stage with that proud look. Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa loob ng stadium, even me who's been watching through the live feed.

Cloud received his diploma, ang mga mata n'ya ay tila nagsasabi na handa na s'ya sa bagong umagang kahaharapin. Mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti ko nang lumapit s'ya kala Mama at Papa pati sa kapatid namin to give them a tight hug.

Humarap sa camera si Cloud — as if looking at me in my screen's perspective — then raised his rolled diploma sealed in a yellow ribbon. "Ate, look!" He said with a wide grin.

I nodded at him. "Ang galing mo, Cloud. Ate is so proud of you."

"Thank you, ate. Without your help, I wouldn't manage to step on that stage and receive this." I felt the warmth on his words. I felt like my efforts has always been appreciated.

I made a 'thumbs up' sign, "Good luck, Ulap! Tell ate what you need, ako na ang bahala!"

My brother has something to say when Mama grabbed the phone. "Rain, 'nak!"

"Bakit, 'Ma?"

"Padala ka naman pera," She said. "Kulang kasi 'yong pera pampa-celebrate sa graduation ni Cloud!" She needed to shout so that I could clearly hear her voice.

I gave her a nod.

"Rain? Rain?" There were knocks on my room. Pinunasan ko ang mga luhang tumutulo na pala sa pisngi ko. I stood up went to the door to open it. "Ah, yes, Madamé?" Magalang kong tanong nang bumungad sa akin ang amo kong babae.

Her face seemed to be upset, her fingers were shaking already. My forehead wrinkled, "What's wrong?"

"M-Mother." I could sense fear on her shaking arabic accent voice. I already knew it. Instead of asking more, I ran toward Jadda Olivia's room.

"D'yos ko!" I uttered, almost had my heart attack. "J-Jadda!" Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Now, I know why Madamé's finger were trembling.

Right in the corner of the room, I saw her standing. Her skin's pale and wrinkled; her apple cut haircut were almost in gray; she's a wearing a night gown dress and holding a sharp blade.

"Jadda Olivia," I called her in my calmest voice I could. She slowly averted her eyes unto me, she held the blade tighter. I blew a sigh, she must be having an attack right now.

Anything could or might trigger her more so I made my actions smoothly and calmly as possible. Lumapit ako sa kanya while saying calming words that would suits her triggered trauma then slowly took away the sharp blade.

"Nothing to worry, you are safe," I said but then, her arms moved— the cold sharp metal strike through my cheeks. Napaatras ako at napasigaw sa sakit. I touched my cheeks, may mga dugo. Hindi ko 'yon pinansin at pinagtuunan ang matanda. "Jadda, please calm down—"

"ln tawdhini maratan 'ukhraa!" (You'll never get to hurt me) Sigaw n'ya habang winasiwas ang matalim na kutsilyo. She must referring to her deceased abusive husband— who's been the cause of her seemingly endless nightmare.

"Your husband is not here anymore! No one will hurt you now!"

"Al'akadhiba! La yazal huna yutariduni! Sawf yashabuni 'iilaa aljahim!" (Lies! He's still here haunting me! He will drag me back to hell!) She cried, nightmarish memories flooding on her mind. I need to calm her down.