Into the Wilderness (Where Series #1)

Chapter 15

𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒂

7 days. 1 week after that horrible incident.

I was discharged in the hospital after 7 days. My doctor gave his permission to let me out but I need to intake some medicine for my fast recovery. He said that I am traumatized so there's a possibility that I'll be undertaking some Psycological therapy. I need to avoid anything that might triggered my trauma. Also, I need to rest after the abuse I experienced.

Every night, a very bad dream keeps on haunting me. At kahit pa ilang beses kong isipin na ayos lang ako o pilitin ang sarili na magiging maayos rin ang lahat, alam kong sarili ko lang din ang niloloko ko. What I've been through is not easy, it's not like everything will be alright after they say sorry. What they did to me is inhumane. I don't know if I can still forgive the people who did that to me.

I feel empty, so hollow. Tumingala ako.

Under this cloudless sky, I wonder how many hearts are broken? How many eyes are silently crying in pain? How many sugarcoated lies are piling up in someone's ears? How many are hiding from darkness and trying to find light?

I wonder how many people in this cruel world are getting the life they prayed for or losing the life they once had. I wonder.

Ilan ang kagaya ko, mabuti ngunit inabuso? Paano nila iyon nalagpasan? Is there still hope? Where can I find that hope?

Ngumiti ako kahit na pilit. I fisted my palm, seething with conviction.

"Are you okay?" rinig ko sabay kurap-kurap ng mga mata.

I cast my eyes to Dallas who's been with me these hard times. He never failed to make sure that I'm doing fine and okay. Walang palya. Baka kung iba ay aakalain pang magkasintahan kami dahil sa sobrang alaga at alala niya sa akin.

He was my guardian since I don't have any family and I can't contact anyone. I still don't know how to tell them or maybe I won't ever have the strength to. I didn't call Linkin. I don't know why, my mind refuse to. After all, he didn't pick up the phone.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you. No one can harm you. Try and they'll see," his eyes dilated with so much certainty.

Sinabi rin naman yun ni Linkin. He promised me that he'll be there for me, at all times. But where is he now? He never came. Am I this worthless to be treated like this?

I didn't mind his reassuring statement. Promises are meant to be broken, indeed.

I lowered my head and look at my shoes. I clasp my hands and squiggle. I tapped my shoes on the ground and bit my lip, preventing myself to retort back. Magkaiba sila ni Linkin. I shouldn't include him and lash out at him because of my misery. Wala siyang kasalanan.

He opened the passenger door and let me in, slowly closing it after watching me sit comfortably. He turned around and went to his side, taking the driver seat. He glanced at me for a while and sigh heavily. I fiddled my fingers and focus my eyes straight ahead. I heard him mumbled something incomprehensible and gripped the wheel tightly.

The long silence stretched, he still didn't start the engine. He let out a puff that made me look at him, questioning.

"W-what?" utal kong wika.

Did I offend him earlier?

We stared at each other intensely. I looked at him with so much fret and ansty. As I stared at him, I can see something in his eyes, something I can't pinpoint. Do he pity me? Do I look so pitiful? Maybe. Kawawa nga naman. I can't blame him if that's what he thinks and feel about my situation. Hindi niya nakayanan kaya napaiwas siya ng tingin sa akin, his teeth gritting steely as he revive the engine into life.