In My Head

16. Thinking Bout You

Trigger warning:
Contains mature themes, including sexual violence, rape, and suicide, that may cause distress.

Readers' discretion is advised.

Reminder:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

The opinions expressed are those of the characters and should not be confused with the authors.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Got these thoughts in my head
Ain't no way to forget
Got me losin' my breath
Nobody got me the way that you did

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Do you know that youth is not just simply bright and beautiful?

When that shiny and outer layer is suddenly ripped away from our skin, they will probably see such madness, chaos. And will witness the agony of our soul— long and the loud scream of despair of suffering that they will just wish to cover their eyes and ears.

Will they accept us or the mask we put on every day?

Fear, guilt, anger, loneliness, self-criticism, rejection, jealousy, envy, lust.

We are hiding too many shadows under our own masks. And sadly, our face grows to fit with it.

"Alis na po ako mga sir at ma'am! Ingat po kayo sa trabaho niyo at salamat ng marami lalo na sayo, chief!"

Ito ang bibong pamamaalam sakanila ni 'kulit' habang winawagayway nito ang mga maliliit na kamay sa eri bago nagtatakbo palayo ng station.

"Balik ka dito ulit bukas!"

"Mag-iingat ka sa daan!"

Balik sigaw naman ng mga pulis habang tinatanaw nila ang papalayong si kulit. Bumalik naman yung iba sa mga trabaho nila at naiwan naman sa may bukana ng station sila Minerva at Ronaldo.

Napabuntong hininga sila at mahinang umiling lalong lalo na si Minerva.

"Chief Marudo, isa nalang talaga at bibingo na saakin yang puñetang sugarol na ama ni kulit."

"Minerva..."

"Kitang-kita mo naman yung malaking pasa sa likod ng leeg ng bata, diba? Wag mo sabihin na naniniwala ka sa sinabi ni kulit na nahulog siya sa hagdan kaya doon niya nakuha ang pasa na meron siya ngayon? Eh, wala namang second floor yung bahay nila."

Nang gagalaiting anas ni Minerva at mabilis na inirapan si Ronaldo.

"Magsisinungaling na nga lang, yung halatang halata pa." Dagdag pa nito.

Pinagkrus naman ni Ronaldo ang mga kamay niya sa dibdib. Bumabalik sakanyang isipan ang masayang expression ng anim na taong gulang na si kulit habang nagwawalis sa paligid ng station nila kanina.