Ablaze |Season 1|

Chapter 1

OCTAVIA

WAKING UP early in the morning has never been my forte, especially when there's a goddamn alarm violently ringing not only beside my bed, but echoes inside my restless mind as well. It is absolutely nerve-triggering for someone who haven't had any proper sleep for the past few days.

I had enough.

Iritang bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga sa malawak na kama at inabot 'yung alarm na hanggang ngayon ay nagri-ring para ibato sa kung saan.

BLAG!

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang tumahimik ang buong paligid kaya nahiga na ulit ako at pumikit para matulog. Now, it's peacefully silent. Much better. I couldn't care less if it's broken into pieces, my short patience cannot keep up with it, if I ever have one.

Knock! Knock!

"Hija, bumangon ka na. Alam mo namang unang araw ng pasukan ninyo, naglasing ka pa kagabi. Ngayon, sinira mo na naman 'yang alarm mo. Nagsasayang ka ng pera. Hindi mo naman nagagamit 'yung alarm at sinisira mo lang, bili ka pa nang bili."

Oh, my goodness!

I groaned in painful annoyance and immediately got up, feeling as drowsy as I could ever be. Naupo ako sa kama at masakit ang ulo na sumandal sa headboard ng kama. The pain brutally struck my head without mercy, slowly torturing every bit of me. Nakakairita. Tumahimik nga 'yung alarm, si yaya naman ang pumalit.

"Ayan, sinabi kasing 'wag na umino---"

"Yaya, please." Pagtawag ko at tinaas ang isang kamay para pahintuin siya sa mga sinasabi niya. Inaantok na nagmulat ako ng mga mata at masama siyang tinignan.

"Alam ko na, okay? My head hurts like hell, tapos nanenermon ka pa." I pointed out with a clear annoyance. Sanay naman na siya sa akin.

Umiling siya at may binulong pa na hindi ko na narinig. "Oh, siya, sige at bumangon na. Maligo na ro'n. Mal-late ka na."

Kahit na sobrang sakit ng ulo at antok na antok pa ako ay sumunod na lang ako. Kumuha ako ng towel at pumasok na sa loob ng banyo.

I stripped off everything and opened the shower. The cold water immediately relaxed my body. It made me breathe a little better. Mataas naman ang tolerance ko sa alcohol, it's just that, napasobra yata kagabi.

I sighed while taking a bath. I remembered what happened last night, and the very reason why I'm annoyed until now.

I love reading books. And, there's this one particular book that really took my interest. It's romance. It has several seasons and the ending of it really broke me. I am utterly disappointed. Namatay 'yung dalawang bida. Where's the freaking justice? Sayang ang effort kong basahin mula umpisa. Kung alam ko lang na tragic ay hindi ko na sana binasa pa.

Napailing na lang ako at winaksi ang nasa isip. I'm already having a bad mood. Nang matapos maligo ay nagsuot na ako ng bathrobe habang nagpupunas ng buhok.

I stretched my arms to ease the tension between my muscles. I combed my hair upwards using my fingers and heaved a sigh. Everything feels painfully empty.

Napatingin ako sa uniform na nakalatag sa kama na hinanda na pala ni Yaya. It is a white long sleeves polo, a black necktie with the logo of my chosen course, and a maroon blazer with the university's logo paired with a black pencil cut skirt.

First day of school again. Great. Wala pa nga pero pagod na ako. Lahat ay nakakawalang gana. Everything seems to be worthless, all because of the growing void that stole the happiness that I'm seeking.