CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

My hands turned cold as I step backwards. I can feel the grass touching my foot. The night is as dark as the universe. The wind cold is blowing at me as a huge monster slowly nearing.

"Stop...please!" I shouted as the tears stream down on my face. I tried to move my feet to ran away from this monster but I am like a nail that pinned on the ground. I can't move. I am glued at the ground while the monster in front of me is ready to devour me.

"Please...don't..." my heavy breathing became ragged as the monster slowly walk towards me. This monster has a thick fur. It's huge and its sharp teeth is gritting in front of me. It is a wild wolf that wants to eat me. 

My heart hitched up when it agressively went towards me and the only thing I could do is to shout for help.

"Lexis Midnight!" 

I immediately opened my eyes as I heard someone called my name. I sat down and roam my eyes around. My brows furrowed as I felt the sweat on my forehead. I stared at my dad and mom who was watching my reaction. 

It was only a dream. I closed my eyes and sighed heavily. My nightmare visited me again. 

"What happened to you last night? You went home with your drunkard state!" Mom said. 

I tried to remember what happened last night and I remembered that I was with Dianne. We went to a bar and spend the night with the party. 

"I went to the bar and-"

"Yeah! And a man just drove you home! Were you with that man last night?!" Mom raised her tone. But I stopped when I heard her sentiments.

What? A man? The last time I remember I was with Dianne!

"I was with Dianne last night!" I told them. Dad went to me with his brows furrowed.

"What? Then who's that guy?" Dad asked worriedly.

I think deeply and like a whirlwind the waves of memories last night came in. My head burst out and my heart almost jump out of my chest when I remembered that someone led me here!

Oh my god? Is that for real? The man I despised 8 years ago...was with me last night? Or...I was just hallucinating?

Right! I was just hallucinating! 

It's impossible that it was Alqamar! Because of all people? Damn he can't be that man! It's been almost 8 years ago! I bet he already married that girl who kissed him right?

I sighed heavily.

"Lexis! We're asking you!" I almost jump when Mom shouted. I rolled my eyes.

"He's just a friend alright?" I covered it up because I know they will just ask too many questions and it will just be complicated so I'd better lie instead.

I convinced them that it was just a friend so they let me this time and went out of my room. I immediately get my phone and called Dianne.

"Hello?" Her husky voice enveloped the phone. It's obvious that she just woke up.

"How are you? Did you went home safely?" I asked.

"I won't be answering you right now if I'm already dead, Lexis," she said with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sorry I left you-"

"Ha? I was the one who left you. I went out with my new boyfriend last night. I'm sorry that I didn't find you before I left. I was too horny to do so-"

"Stop! You're so gross!" I winced. Damn this woman. It's too much information!

"So conservative!" She teased. I rolled my eyes.

"By the way...did you know who drive me home last night?" I asked.

"How would I know? I told you I didn't see you before I left. Maybe you left early?" She stated.

I sighed heavily.

"Okay bye. See you later," I said and lied on my bed. Who's that man then?

But in my mind the face that I remember last night was Alqamar. But it's just too impossible! It can't be!

I have still hang over when I went to school. We don't have classes anymore. We're just here to practice our graduation. 

"Dianne!" I called Dianne who was with her boyfriend. This girl!

"What?" She asked when I went nearer. I pulled her away from his boyfriend who looks...well I won't judge.

"I need to know who help me last night to go home!" I said. Her brows furrowed.

"Why? Did he do something bad to you? He raped you perhaps?" She asked boldly that made me irritated.

"He didn't-"

"Just tell me Lexis. You're still a virgin right? You would know if he raped you! Is your vagin-"

"Gosh Dianne! Will you stop talking and let me finish first?!" I irritably said. She laughed that made her into tears. This woman is really making me irritated! If she's just not my bestfriend maybe I already left her here!

"Are you done laughing?" I sarcastically asked. She wiped her tears and nodded.

"Alright. Go on," she even signal me with her finger. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm curious okay? I have to know who's the man I was with. I think I know him but I am not sure. But I know he knows me! I remember him calling me in my name!" I explained.

She nodded and crossed her arms like she is also thinking.

"Should we ask the bar's owner for CCTV footage? It will help you," she said. Thank God she's now sane!

"Alright! You have to come with me!" I convinced her. 

But because she is Dianne I traded everything first before I can make her say yes to me. After the practice we immediately went out and ride a taxi towards the bar. 

Dianne seems to know the owner of the bar so we didn't even waste a sweat when we enter the owner's office. 

The owner was a chubby guy...and well he looks like a maniac cassanova! I get goosebumps when he stared at my body. Damn this chubby old hag!

"Good morning Sir! We're here to ask if we can watch some of your CCTV footage last night?" Dianne was the one who talked.

The old hag stood up and smirk maliciously. Gosh! I don't like his smirk! It feels so dirty!

"What's your agenda? Why did you need it?" The old hag asked Dianne while softly caressing his table. What the hell?

"Dianne...should we go out instead?" I whispered with Dianne. 

"Ha? I thought you need-"

"Can we just go out?" I stopped her. Dianne didn't ask anymore and say our goodbye first before going out.

I sighed in relief. 

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Didn't you notice? That old hag is hitting on me!" I complain. She laughed and stared at me.

"Why are you so innocent when it comes to this? Of course he will hit on you! Damn girl you're a goddess, you can't expect them to just ignore your beauty," she said. 

"It's uncomfortable," I said.

"It's a 21st century girl. Everyone is open. You can just have sex without walking in the aisle and without wedding ring on your finger," she said while we're walking to the side of the high way.

"I'm not open for it. I don't know why I just lost my interest on it," I said.

I remember the last time I felt that infatuation but it leads me into the painful night. Maybe it was one of the reason why I don't have in the mood to be in a relationship with anyone.

My young heart got scarred when I saw that man kissing someone else. Until now...it was one of the reason why I have a high standard when it comes to boys. It isn't because I was conservative it's because I'm afraid that I would be hurt for the second time.

"Maybe because...you have that one particular characteristic that you want in a boy and until now there's no man in your life have that characteristic," Dianne said.

Actually there's a man who has that characteristic that I want. But I was long forgotten about him. I already erased him with my system and he's not longer available. It's been 8 years it's impossible that he is still single right now. 

When I first met him he was like 20 or 22 years old and now that it's been 8 years maybe he's now 30? Or 29? 

Look how huge our distance between us? While I am just 18 he is now in his maturity. 

We didn't see the footage that day and tomorrow will be my graduation. Meaning the day of our departure is now so near. I'm scared. I am getting nervous each passing day. I've long forgotten about that place but this twisted fate seems wants me to go there and remember everything again.

But my nightmare began in that place. 

The graduation song played while we're marching in the middle. I looked at mom and dad who was very proud of me even though I don't even have a medal or something. I just graduated.

I listened to the speech of our valedictorian and it was very touching and motivational. Everyone clapped for her when she finished. After that it's now the time of marching towards the stage to give our diploma. 

I was walking towards the stage when something caught my attention. From the crowd I saw a very unwelcomed person. 

Is my eyes are playing with me again? Is this true? Damn! I can see Alqamar from the crowd staring at me! My foot was nailed in the ground and my hands turned cold.

"Miss? It's your turn now," I got distracted when someone spoke behind me. It's now my turn to have my diploma. I held out the diploma and face the crowd and slowly bowed my head. I searched for Alqamar again but he wasn't there anymore.

My brows furrowed. Why do I kept seeing him? Is it because I am going back again in San Isidro? 

Is my mind playing games with me again? I shook my head and just went to my parents. They both hugged me and kissed me on the cheeks. 

We had our picture taking and after that I approach Dianne to say goodbye to her. I will miss this girl. She was my companion in my entire high school years. Even though she's bold and flirty she became true to me. 

"Damn! I will miss you Lexis!" She cried and hugged me. My tears fell and hugged her back. I thought I won't cry in my graduation day because I thought it was corny and all but right now I can feel the sadness especially that I would leave permanently.

"If I have free time I would visit you in that province!" She assured me. I nodded and wiped my tears.

"I'm gonna do the same," I said and for the last time and I waved goodbye to her.

I sighed heavily when we go back to our house and I saw our baggage. It's now ready. I also saw the car that we will gonna ride through out the travel. 

For the last time I looked at our huge house. Dad already sell it out and the money will be used for us to start a new. And as for me, I will study my college years in the community college of that province. 

"Lexis, we have to leave now," mom called me. I bit my lower lip and nodded. I get in in the car and put my seatbelt on. 

I closed my eyes as thoughts bombarded my mind.

I am hoping for...peaceful days, months and years. 

Goodbye city life. Hello...province where my nightmares began.