Barangay Series #2 : Evan Dos Santiago

Kabanata 3

"What the fuck have you done, Hara?!"

Basang basa na ang buong katawan ko kakapatigil sa tubig na umaagos sa nasirang gripo. I was already crying and don't know what to do.

Suminghab ako at agad na tinakluban ang mukha ko dahil nasa sahig na ang maskara ko. He pushed me away from the sink and took his phone out of his pocket.

"Yes, I need it now!" he said to someone. Maybe someone will help us here.

I ran inside my room and closed the door. Sumandal ako sa likuran ng pintuan at naghabol ng hangin. I looked at my palms and gasped. 
 
 

I don't know what I am and what I've done. All I know is that I have control of water. That I can manipulate water using just my hands and focus.

My auntie is the one who found out that I have this power that connected to my face and eyes. They think that I'm a monster. Sabi nila, nakipagkasundo raw sa diablo ang mga magulang ko bago ako ipanganak dahilan para mamatay sila.

But I don't believe it. I never believe about that they said about my parents and ability. Basta ang alam ko, nagagamit ko lamang ito kapag wala ako sa kontrol at galit.

I wiped my tears off and looked at my fingers that were trembling. I'm thankful that Evan didn't saw my face. Kung nakita niya ang mga mata ko, paniguradong hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko.

I changed my clothes into a white tee shirt and pajamas. It's already twelve p.m., lunch time. Hindi ko alam kung narito pa sa condo si Evan dahil hindi ko na binalak lumabas pa.

Ngayon napatunayan na namang napaka-malas ko talaga sa buhay ko. My life is too problematic and sucks. No one dared to help me because I'm not able to talk freely. Kahit subukan ko, wala namang maniniwala dahil sa itsura at tingin sa akin ng mga tao.

I gulp and looked at on my face on the mirror. Pulang pula na ang mata ko kakaiyak simula kanina. I felt so useless. Miski sa kinakasama ko ngayon sa unit ay nahihiya na rin ako.

He paid for this unit and let me sleep in. He may not be giving me food that he bought using his own money, may natutulugan naman ako. Tapos heto ako ngayon, nakapinsala ng sobrang laki rito.

"Hara?" mabilis kong napamilyaran ang boses nito, "this is Dad, won't you gonna eat lunch with us, honey?" it was Timothy Dos Santiago.

I cleared my throat and answered, "I'm still f-full po, maybe mamaya nalang po…"

"Okay, lumabas kana riyan bago pa ako makauwi. Let's eat lunch together with Evan and I," he said like he didn't hear what I said.

Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa sarili sa salamin bago mapagdesisyunang magpalit ng damit at magsuot ng maskara. Nakakahiya naman kung pati kay Timothy ay magmamatigas ako after what I did at his son's condominium.

I wore a simple dress and kept my black curly hair down. Bumuntong hininga muna ako bago buksan ang pintuan at pumunta sa dining room.

Timothy was pouring orange juice into three glasses of water while Evan was already eating his food. He didn't even dare turn his gaze on me. 
 
 
 
 
 
"Come on, sit here," he said, pushing a chair for me. 
 
 
 
 
 
I sat there and stared at the food. He cooked fried chicken and frozen food. I gulped and looked away. I am not eating chicken, pork, or frozen food. All I want is vegetables forever.