The Monster Inside Her

Chapter 17

Trigger Warning: violence.

Michelle's PoV

I woke up with a heavy heart. I keep on dreaming the same thing for weeks now. Parang sasabog na ang utak ko sa mga panaginip na iyon. It was redundantly appearing in my dreams. Bawa't sigaw. Bawa't sampal at basag ng mga gamit.

Paulit-ulit.

I was a kid in my dreams, silently watching how my parents argue. How my mother throw the vases, frames, or anything she could pick up...even a knife. Holding my mouth tightly to prevent a single sob from escaping. I can barely see their faces, but I can hear the hatred from their voices.

I once saw my father's eyes. I saw a wave of sadness in it... my heart felt layers by layers of an unsettling emotions that I can't even name. And the rage from my mother's voice stabs my father multiple times. It was deafening.

Halos balutan ko ng unan ang tainga ng kapatid para lang hindi marinig ang mura at hinanakit na binabato nila sa isa't isa.

"Putangina mo! Dapat hindi na talaga ako sumama sa'yo!" I heard my mother shouted.

"Nagsisisi ka?" Puno nang hinakit na tanong ni papa. Malalim na rin ang paghinga niya.

I was startled when my mother threw a knife. I felt scared for my father, but luckily he was able to dodge the flying knife and it didn't hit his face. Yet I saw blood flowing from his hand.

"Tanginang buhay 'to!" Mama yelled and threw pillows, this time.

Gusto kong pumagitna sa kanilang dalawa, pero ano bang magagawa ng isang batang katulad ko? Nagbato pa si mama ng sandok at vase.

The vase shattered on papa's arm making the previous wound bleed more. I was already trembling in fear. Binalot ako ng takot sa mga panahong nakikita ko si mama. That's why I wasn't always ready to face her. Sa tuwing pipilitin ako ng mga kapatid niya na umuwi sa Cagayan, nanginginig na agad ang kalamnan ko.

I wiped the tears on my cheeks from crying because of that dream. Para ako nitong binabalik sa nakaraan. Sa nakaraang gusto ko nang kalimutan. Nung nakita ko siyang nakatungtong sa bahay na 'to at nang sampalin niya ako...pakiramdam ko ay gagawin niya sa akin ang mga ginawa niya kay papa. Fear was the first thing that developed in my heart when I saw her. It was a tiring fear. Pagod na pagod na akong dalhin iyon. Twenty-four years of enduring.

"Hello," I greeted.

"May gusto ka bang pasalubong?" Tanong ni Dean mula sa kabilang linya.

"Bakit? Nasa'n ka?" I asked.

"We're on our way to Palawan. 'Di ba I told you the last time na mag-o-outing kami. I'm with my family and friends," he answered.

Tumango ako kahit na hindi niya naman iyon nakikita. "Send my regards kila tita."

"Okay, so what do you want? Ikaw ang unang naisip ni papa 'pag dating namin sa airport pa lang," he chuckled.

"Kahit anong available," I uttered.

"Sige, good morning pala, love."

"Good morning. Ingat kayo," I remarked before we ended the call.

Kumuha ako ng bimpo nang tumayo ako para punasan ang tumatagaktak na pawis sa aking katawan. I did my daily routine. I wore a white knee length dress and a white pump. Nang lumabas ako sa kwarto ay sumalubong sa akin ang nakasimangot kong ina.

Tatlong beses akong lumunok bago siya batiin.

"Sa'n kayong ospital?" Mataray niyang tanong.

Lumingon ako at sandaling tumitig sa unan na katabi niya bago sumagot. "UST."