IN ANOTHER WORLD

CHAPTER 09

Hanggang ngayon ay nakasunod parin si Vlad sa’kin. Ngunit hindi ko siya pinapansin. Nasa likod ko lang siya. Naglakad lang kasi ako galing sa school since malapit lang naman ito sa bahay namin.

May mga nakakasalubong parin akong multo sa daan. Marahil yung iba dito ay nasagasaan. May mga batang umiiyak at naghahabulan.

----

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nasa isip ngayon ni Vlad pero...

“Hey! Akala ko ba mamaya ka pang 7pm? Ba’t nakasunod ka sa’kin?” Iritableng tanong ko. Ngunit hindi niya ako sinagot. Bagkos ay salubong lang ang dalawang kilay niya.

Tumalikod nalang ako sa kanya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Ngunit...

Di ko inaasahan ang kasunod na ginawa niya.

O____O

I was left dumbfounded when he suddenly held my right hand.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko lalo’t mabilis niya rin itong binitawan.

==========

VLADIMIER POV

What was that?

Upon touching her right hand, I saw a horrific sight. I stared at my own hand as I tried to open and close it ‘cause I still don’t know yet what I have seen.

A hallucination?

Wait a minute...

Could it be? It’s her...

It’s her eyesight’s visualization.

I see... So that’s how it is?

Now I know why you don’t want anyone to touch you, Lonie.

She confronted me. Namumuo na rin ang munting butil sa gilid ng mga mata niya. But her eyes are both emotionless. She suddenly covered her two ears with both of her hands as she uttered...

“I-it’s not my fault! Hmm... You... touching me, whatever happens to you, it’s not my fault.” Para bang pinapagaan niya ang loob niya by making herself believe that it’s not her fault.

What is she talking about?

I glimpse a tear roll down on her face. But she’s not sobbing. But I can see the pain in her eyes.

She’s hurting...

She pushed me and ran away from me after that. Hindi ko na siya sinundan ‘cause I think she needs some space and a little time to be alone for a while.

I can see through you.... fragile and yet beautiful rose.

===========

LONIE POV

Pagkapasok ko sa bahay ay mabilis akong tumakbo paakyat at nagkulong sa loob ng kwarto. Siniksik ko ang sarili sa isang sulok saka naupo habang tinatakpan ko parin ang magkabilang tenga ko.

It’s not my fault!

He just suddenly grabbed my hand without a warning!

If he gets a nightmare tonight! It’s not my fault!

But....

Why did I let my guard down around him?

I’m partly at fault!

“Atee...” Tawag sa’kin ni Liam. Napukaw niya ang atensyon ko. Napatingin ako sa kanya na nakasilip sa may pinto. “Ayos ka lang po ba?” Malambing na tanong niya.