Belaya Lawrence is the most sought-after actress of her time. She loves her job. She loves living different lives, even if she only has one. It's challenging and wonderful at the same time because she can be anyone through the script that is given t...
I knifed up from the bed, my hands are on my throat as if about to take off those that are strangling me, but there was none. I can feel the cold sweat gliding from the corner of my face while my body began to shake.
Niyakap ko ang mga tuhod ko at pilit kong kinalma ang sarili ko. Halos isang linggo na akong nananatili rito sa bahay ni Pierce. Except the first night ay hindi na ako muling nanaginip pa ng masama.
Nilingon ko ang kama ni Pierce. The bed is empty.
"Belaya?"
The familiar voice gave me back a sense of calmness but my body is still reacting to the dream that felt so real. Naramdaman kong lumundo ang kama ko na sinundan ng kamay na marahang humaplos sa likod ko.
"I-I'm fine, Pierce," I whispered.
"I didn't want to wake you. Tumawag ang lola ni Arctic. I talked to him for awhile. I couldn't sleep so I decided to take care of some work."
"I-It's okay."
Nagpatuloy ang paggalaw ng kamay niya sa likod ko pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang panginginig ng katawan ko. I never had dreams as vivid as that one. It's like a loop. Like I was trapped at that moment. Para bang kapag gumigising ako at nakakakawala sa bangungot na iyon ay matatagpuan ko na lang ang sarili ko na hinihila pabalik.
I closed my eyes tightly when the image of the masked man flashed in my mind again. As if sensing it, Pierce pulled me towards him. Pinalibot niya ang mga braso niya sa katawan ko at hinayaan ko lang siya. I grasped the collar of his shirt and hugged him close as if I'm trying to bury myself in him.
"You need to talk to someone, Belaya," he whispered gently in my ear.
"I know."
"There's nothing wrong with trauma counselling. Your body went through a lot and part of that is your brain. Physical scars can be easily remedied but it's difficult when it's a mental scar."
Halos hindi na makita ang mga sugat na natamo ko nang gabi na iyon. But Pierce's right. It would be more difficult to erase the scars that that night left me. It will be impossible for me to forget that's why it will be harder to heal from it.
"Can you stay here?"
Marahan niyang hinaplos ang buhok ko. "I won't leave again."
"Can you stay with me?"
I felt his body stiffened when he realized what I meant. "I don't think that's a good idea, Belaya."
"Just until I fall I sleep. Please?" Nag-angat ako ng mukha sa kaniya at nakita kong nakatingin din siya sa akin. "I'll behave, I promise. Bukas pa naka-schedule ang pangungulit ko sa'yo."
