A FIGHTER'S TOUCH (A RaStro Story)_COMPLETED

HER PAST (F)

CHAPTER 5

(AFTER JUNIOR YEAR)

Time flew so fast and another school year has finished. Which also meant that Rhian and I have been friends for already almost a year.

Her first two months in school were the most filled with sudden panic attacks. After being home-schooled for 2 years and not really getting out of the house, she needed so much adjusting. May mga times pa na napapaaway ako dahil sa mga lalaking lumalapit at humahawak sa kanya.

But just like what I did when I first saw her in that state, I only kept reminding her that I would never let anyone hurt her. I didn't mind, kahit ilang beses kong kinailangang gawin un. Not once.

Yet Rhian still hasn't shared her story. Hindi ko rin naman kasi siya tinatanong. Like I said before, I want her to do the pacing. Maghihintay lang ako kung kailan siya magiging handa na sabihin sakin ang nangyari. Maybe that was what made our friendship click. Because not once did I try to open her old wound. And I honestly couldn't care any less. Masaya ako sa kung ano ang meron samin.

"Glai... pupunta kayo sa bahay later diba?" She asked while we were walking outside our village.

"Syempre naman. That's a special dinner." I cheerfully replied.

"Kung maka-special ka naman. Tayo-tayo lang un." She laughed.

Tita Clara invited us to their house to sort of celebrate how her youngest daughter survived the entire school year. Kahit tingin ni Rhian ay maliit na bagay lang ito at hindi kailangang i-celebrate... I understood Tita Clara. She was just really proud of her daughter.

"Wag ka nga! Special un. At tsaka makikita ko narin Ate mo diba?" I said with excitement.

Dumating kasi kaninang umaga ang kapatid niya galing London. We already knew each other because of the several video chats Rhian had with her.

"Yeah. But can you stay over after dinner? We need to talk about something." Her tone was serious, which suddenly made me worry.

"Dapat na ba akong kabahan dyan? May problema ba?" Tanong ko.

"Nothing. Basta. Trust me. Just stay over, please?" Lambing niya na alam niyang kailanman ay hindi ko natanggihan.

"Oo na po." I answered, which earned me a sweet smile from her.

//

SA HOWELL'S RESIDENCE

Rhian sent me a text message saying that the foods were almost done, so we immediately head to our neighbor. Pagpunta namin doon ay amoy na amoy na ang mga iniluto ni Tita Clara. Naalala ko tuloy ung una naming beses pumunta dito.

Sinalubong kagad kami ni Rhian at sinamahan kami patungong dining area, where her mom and sister were. We did the usual greetings as Tita Clara introduced to us her oldest daughter, Nadine.