Lost and Found

PROLOGUE

Empty. Numb. Dark. Hopeless. Those things define my current state at the moment. I have never been in this place before. It's scary. I don't even know how it all came to this point. I just woke up one day, with mom gone, dad in the ICU, and taking care of a fourteen-year-old brother who's in high school while I'm also attending University and trying hard to get by every day.

"Ate, family day namin bukas. Will you be able to attend?" Jordan asked while he was tying his shoelaces.

Hindi agad ako nakasagot. First day ko sa pangalawang trabaho ko bukas. I can't be late nor absent. Pero hindi ko rin kayang hayaan nalang mag-isa si Jordan. He's been through so much already. I can't afford to not be around at such an important day in his school life. Wala na nga si Mommy, tapos hindi rin pwede si Daddy. I sighed. Paano na 'to?

"I'll be there." Ang tanging naisagot ko nalang. Bahala na.

Hinatid ko siya sa school. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso na ako sa opisina. Kung ako lang, hihinto na muna ako sa pagtatrabaho. Kaso, hindi pwede. Especially now na kailangan kong buhayin hindi lang 'yong sarili ko, pero pati na rin si Jordan. I can't rely on my family's successes all the time.

I was eating my lunch alone when I noticed that most of the employees were looking at me with judgements in their eyes. Even whispering to one another.

"Look at her. Kaya walang kaibigan, eh. Malandi kasi." I've heard someone say.

"Oo nga. Ewan ko nga kung ano'ng nakita ni bebe Castiel sa kanya. Buti nga at iniwan. Malandi naman kasi."

I was about to bark back when a voice beats me to it.

"Wow! Nahiya naman ako sa mga feslak n'yo. Kung makapanglait, 'kala mo naman magaganda. Jusko, mga dai, marami kayong kamukha sa zoo!"

Nag-aalburoto na 'yong mga mukha no'ng nanglait sa 'kin. Specially when majority of the crowd laughed at the insult my savior had thrown.

"You!" The mad girl pointed a finger at my savior.

"Yes, I. I'm pretty. Unlike you." He rolled his eyes and flipped his imaginary long hair.

I snorted at that. The girls stormed off, raging. Umupo sa harap ko 'yong nag-saved sa 'kin.

"Girl, those froggies stole 3% of my positive and sacred energy. Hmph!"

I laughed. And honestly, it felt good. I needed that.

"Thank you. You're an angel, you know that?" I genuinely said.

"I know. And my mom does, too. That's why he named me after one. Haniel," He shared.

Napa "ooh" ako sa sinabi niya.

"What should I call you?"