Conquering the Barriers

Kabanata 13

Beautiful

I cried and cried nonstop.

I was bawling my eyes until they feel heavy.

I was weeping up till my totality gets tired.

The sobbing may have halted but the tears just keep on shedding.

I was silently lamenting as I realize what could have happened if only Sky didn't arrive.

The tears are quietly pouring together with the misery I've long been keeping to myself.

And he was there.

By my side.

Patient with my fragile case.

Enduring my every wail.

Consoling my broken state.

Ang malamyos na mga haplos niya ay tila may kapangyarihan. Ang mabagal na ritmo ng paghagod niya sa likod ko ay nakahahalina.

Kalaunan ay kusa ring tumigil ang mga luha. Dahan-dahang kumalma ang puso. Unti-unting bumalik sa normal ang paghinga.

Sa patuloy na pagpasada ng banayad niyang kamay ay tila hinihila ako ng antok. Pakiramdam ko'y hinehele ako sa sobrang ginhawa ng pakiramdam. Sa katahimikan ay binalot ako ng kapayapaan.

I was blinking tenderly when I heard his light sigh.

"I'm.. sorry," he softly said.

I stiffened. Wondering where his sudden remark is coming from.

"I was.. so stupid for addressing things the wrong way," he breathed out faintly.

My heart skipped a beat as I intently listened to him.

"Akal ko noon.. madaya si Kuya kasi iniwan niya kami," he exhaled deeply.

He was letting it all out very slowly as if it is painful for him to mutter every word too.

"Akala ko.. kasalanan niya kasi hinayaan niyang mangyari yun sa kanya. Kasi.." he halted. "hindi siya lumaban para sa sarili niya,"

He swallowed. "But I was wrong. I was dead wrong. All those times.. he was suffering," the grave regret was evident in his voice. "I wish I was there for him."

It was followed by a solemn silence between us.

Until he spoke again.

"It's never someone's fault that they get bullied. No one should ever get blamed for being weak," I shivered when I felt him subtly turning to me. "If there's anyone who needs to adjust to stop the bullying, it's not the victim who has to get stronger. It's the oppressor who has to change."

May munting kurot akong naramdaman sa puso ko. Kasabay noon ang kung anong malambot na bagay na kumikiliti sa tyan ko.

"I'm sorry I stopped saving you, Yara." he sighed. "Please let me make up for everything.." he gently said.

That night was yet to be my most peaceful one.

Earlier, I thought I would be sleeping soundly for good. As in for good. That I would never ever going to wake up again.

I did sleep soundly though but not for good. Just for full ten hours. And mind you, that was the longest I had for a while now.

Naging normal na kasi sa akin ang tatlo hanggang apat na oras ng tulog dahil sa dami ng iniisip ko palagi kaya't ang makatulog nang ganun kahaba ay sadyang nakagagalak.