Tahimik akong sumunod kay Cassandra papunta sa field. We sat on one of the benches. I've got a bad feeling about what she's going to say and I could've just ignored her.Pero ayaw ko rin namang mambastos ng tao kahit gaano kasahol ang mga pinagsasabi niya sa akin sa bar.Here eyes were full of resentment when she looked at me that time. Bagay na hindi ko maintindihan dahil sa pagkakaalam ko wala naman akong naging atraso sa kanya.I know she has a thing for Rylle, halata naman iyon sa ikinikilos niya. At siya rin iyong tipo ng babae na gagawin ang lahat makuha lang ang gusto.I looked at her, carefully guarded with my prejudices of her. Whatever she's going to say, I don't have to believe it. Lalo na at may pakiramdam akong tungkol iyon sa amin ni Rylle."Say whatever you want to say, I don't have much time for this," malamig kong basag sa katahimikan.Her eyes are full of sympathy and pity. Hindi ko mawari kung peke ba ang ipi

 My eyelids felt heavy and I was lightheaded. Hindi ko tuluyang maimulat ang mga mata ko sa bigat ng mga iyon. Para pa iyong namamaga. I tried to move my hand and it was heavy too, and very painful. I can hear noises around me but I was too out of focus to listen and understand everything. I can also hear sobs from someone.Nasaan ba ako?I tried to lift even just a finger but failed painfully. Nang tuluyan ko namang maimulat ang mga mata ay puti lang ang nakikita. Bahagyang nagkagulo ang mga tao sa paligid at may iilan ang lumapit sa kinahihigaan ko."Ei, anak. Are you finally awake? Oh thank God!" Hagulgol ni Mama."I'll go call the doctor," boses ni Papa.I heard the door opened and closed afterwards. Ilang sandali pa ay muling bumukas ang pinto at dumami ang mga tao sa loob. I could barely move my body and I tried so hard to adjust my vision properly. Nang tuluyang maimulat ang mga mata, una kong nakita si Mama na umiiyak.S

 Everything that happened felt like a distant dream. As I look back at those I can't help but feel the pain again. Ang akala kong buhay na kinalimutan ko na, muling nagbalik sa ala-ala ko. How I endured the pain of the first heartbreak, how I got through and surpassed death, and how I gave up my dream. Out of all what happened, ang huli ang pinakamasakit.Muli kong sinubukang gumuhit ng sketches pagkatapos ng aksidente. Pero tuwing ginagawa ko iyon, naninigas ang kamay ko at wala akong maiguhit. At muling magbabalik sa ala-ala ko ang bangungot ng aksidente. Kaya naman hindi ko na ulit sinubukan, sa takot na sundan na naman ng bangungot at sakit.My first few months abroad were not easy. Unti-unti lang naging madali nang madalas kong makasama si Denver. At tuluyan lang akong nakabangon nang sumunod si Aurora para roon din mag-aral. Her decision was abrupt.Alam ko kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang Baler at ang makasama ang pamilya. Kaya naman nakapagt

 I felt nervous with what he said. His words were marked with finality. Na kailanman hindi ako makakatakas mula sa kanya. It seems like he's cursing me. That wherever I go to escape, my end destination will always be him."You don't understand," iling ko."Then make me understand. It's so hard to guess what you're thinking everytime, Ei. Tell me what you really feel, baby. I will try to understand... except us being apart."My eyes watered as I watch him in pain. Parang tinutusok ang puso ko sa nakikita sa mga mata niya."I don't want you involved in my problems anymore. Dahil hindi natin alam kung ano'ng pwedeng mangyari sa susunod. You could be their next target kasi palagi tayong magkasama. Paano kung gawin nila iyon, huh? I won't be able to take it if other people get hurt because of me. Naiintindihan mo ba?"I said as I stood up, trying to prove a point. He went near me at hinawakan ang braso ko."So you're worried about me

Warning: SPG "How did you get in here?" I fired angrily.By instinct, I held the lace of my robe. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang mga kamay kong nakahawak roon. I gulped when his stare darkened."I was calling you for dinner. And you did not lock your door so..." Aniya na agad ibinalik ang tingin sa mukha ko."Kahit na. You could've just wait outside. Or better yet, nauna ka nalang sanang kumain. I'm not hungry," I said as I walk towards the walk-in closet."Why are you acting like this?"I was about to open my closet when he asked. Natigil ako sa akmang pagbukas niyon.I don't know how to answer that. Bakit nga ba ako nagkakanganito? It all just started when I saw how the ladies in that market went crazy over him. As if I could stop them from admiring a handsome man like him.At ano'ng karapatan ko? Wala. Wala ako ni katiting na karapatan para magdemand ng buong atensyon niya. Kasi hindi naman kami.