[Ten Years from the past]
"'nak(son), why are you still here at this hour, is there anyone gonna pick you up?" A teacher carefully approached a young boy, who was still sitting on a curb near the school's entrance.
"My mom's still not here, I'll just wait for her." The boy answered tearfully.
"It's okay, I can just take you with me, your mom might be busy, so I'll just drop you off at your house, it's not that far, right?"
The teacher slowly caressed the boy's hair, trying to console him.
"Achan, I'm really sorry, the time just went over my head. Mrs. Tan, thank you for staying with my son!" A woman suddenly came out of the tricycle that was parked in front of them.
"Ay, Mrs. Allare, finally. So, Achan, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Mrs. Tan held onto the boy's face, trying to stop him from looking at his mother.
"I really appreciate the help, Mrs. Tan. We'll go ahead!"
Without a second to spare, Achan's mother also did the same. She held onto the young boy's cheeks and guided him into their little rural service.
"Get in?"
Despite the efforts of Mrs. Allare, she could never keep his son's gaze away from her.
"O- Oh, this? This is nothing, love, I just had a little accident earlier. Let's go? Your father's waiting for us!" She tried to smile, hiding the pain in her heart and the pain from the bruises on her face.
"Ma?"
Despite his young age, he already knows the pain that his mother is experiencing under his father. All the bruises that she receives from him, he knows. Yet he could only call upon his mother's name to try and comfort her.
"Do not be a stubborn kid, ah? Never leave your father, despite his temper, he loves us, and he would never harm you. Remember that, I- we love you, and I'm proud that you are my son!" She said before dropping her son in front of their house.
"Ma?" The only word Achan could say as he watched his mother stay in the vehicle, leaving him standing on their doorstep. Leaving him with her husband, who abused her.
"You're such a liar, ma, you said you'll always pick me up from school!"
***
Achan's P.O.V
"Hey, did you finish the documents I asked you to encode?" My sleep was interrupted when Ate(A-teh=big sis) Nichole poked my back.
"File named Requested 101, I already sent it this morning." I answered plainly and stretched.
*Yawn* What time is it? When's the clock out?
"Thanks, go back to sleep, we have nothing else to do anyway!" She smiled before returning to her table.
Tsk, she could have checked her inbox first before bothering me. How am I gonna go back to sleep now?
"Where are you going?"
"Imma buy some coffee, want some?" I said, stopping by the doorway of our office.
"Eh, I don't like 3-in-one instant coffees, they're too sweet!" She shrugged before going back to her monitor.
She could have just said no, why bother shaming instant coffee lovers, we're both poor, what's with her? Also, I could just buy her some brewed coffee, why am I thinking too much about it?
"Uki, bye!" I waved my hand before leaving the office.
I calmed my mind as I browsed the store's instant coffee selection.
"Hey kid, are you Mang(sir/uncle) Rachan's son, right?" The store owner suddenly jolted with joy upon recognizing me.
"Nope!" I immediately responded.
"You don't have to deny it, I can clearly see your resemblance, he definitely looked like you in his twenties- that's on the house!" She slapped the air and smiled sweetly.
"Ahehe, thank you so much!" I tried to smile.
I better keep my composure, we're near where I work, I don't want to ruin my image, my boss was kind enough to hire a kid like me!
"You're so welcome!"
Tsk, why is he still well-known in this town? It's been years!
"Wait, kid?" The store owner hurriedly blocked the exit.
"Yes?" I tried to keep my smile, for I know what comes next.
Every time his name was brought out-
"What do you think about this week's winning lottery number?"
"I don't practice it, but if you're really interested in that, why don't you ask my father instead? He's not that far, Relive Cemetery, you won't miss him, it's not as if he can go out of his grave, right?" I interrupted her, dropping my smile and politeness.
"O- Oh... I'm sorry, I-I just thought Mang Rachan passed down the Practice to you.
"It's better that he did not!" Though it was hard, I tried to smile again.
Shit, I almost blew off, I don't want to be called rude!
"What a waste, though, right? He was a very strong Babaylan (Spiritual Healer) after a-"
"Do you really believe in that?!" My fake smile vanished once again.
"'nak, did you really forget all the miracles that your fa- hey wait!"
I do not wish to waste my time anymore. Instead of going to the exit door, I left through the entrance, leaving her dumbfounded.
Tsk, old ladies and their beliefs!
"What happened to you? What's with the pouting?" Ate Mary greeted me on my chair, sipping a coffee.
"Nothing, I'm just hangry!" I went back to my jolly face and laughed it off.
I'd better keep smiling, the smile that hid my true feelings. This way, nobody could ever take advantage of me, ever again, and no one could ever judge the real me. It's better to show off a "pleasing smile" than a frown. This smile kept me away from any trouble and kept my family's image clean. I am a good functioning citizen of my country, and I would like to keep it that way. With this, no one knows what I truly am, and especially, no one could figure out my weakness!
"Oh right, I forgot! Achan, a bunch of businessman-looking-ahh was looking for you, I told them that you were just out for a moment. They told me that they would just go back later!" Ate Nichole playfully said to me after I finished making my coffee.
"Who? Why do they want to see me? Aren't they supposed to look for you or Boss?" I asked.
Why would they look for me? I didn't even know any business establishment that might be looking for me? I work in encoding, I don't do deals? Why would they look for an Administrative Aide, instead of them?
"Hmm? They don't wanna be entertained, so I did not entertain them!" She just shrugged her shoulders before going back to her monitor.
I just laughed with her and continued to walk back to my table.
*Ring*
"Who's calling?" I asked myself and grabbed my phone from my back pocket.
"Ugh, I envy you, how are you done with your work already?!" Ate Mary stood up and stomped her feet back to her table.
"Hello, Ate?" I said on the phone before putting the mug on my table and walking out of the office.
"He's cheating!" My big sis screamed on the other line.
Tsk!
"What do you want? Do you want me to curse him?" I tried cracking a joke to hide my anger.
How many times has this happened? Fifth?
"Please don't, despite his cheating ass, I still love him!" She said before continuing to bawl her eyes out.
This same old line!
"Dummy, you do know that none of us knows how to do that!" I shouted at her, which made her laugh.
"I know..." She said in the middle of her sobbing.
"What do you want me to say then? Divorce him? Go and confront the girl? Or should I beat up your motherfucking husband?" Despite my calm tone, I know she can feel the rage between the lines I let out.
She fell silent, then after a few moments, she let out a small sigh.
"Sorry!" She sobs once again.
"This is the fifth time, Ate, not counting the ones we never found out, what do you want? You do know that my offer still stands, my job can secure my niece and nephew's education and daily needs. All you have to do is end things with that bastard and use your degree for a change!" I may sound harsh, but this is what she needs.
Between us two, she's the one who graduated from college with a degree. I chose not to don't go to college and find work immediately after graduating senior high school, just so that I could help her move out, but she's too deep in the pit. Her good-for-nothing husband has her in the palm of his hands. He always belittled my big sis, saying nobody else could ever love her after him, using her up-
FUCK!
"I really wanna fuck him up!" I hold onto my phone tightly.
"I'm really sorry, Achan, I can't burden you with my mistake-"
"Honey?" I hear him on the other line, seems like the bastard's back home!
"What? Are you really gonna forgive him again if he sees you crying? Hide and fix yourself, we can meet later and talk it out!"
"I'm sorry, I really am sorry, I shouldn't have called, worrying you- let me call you later!"
"Wait-" I couldn't even convince her...
"Honey?" The last thing I heard was before she hung up the call.
Tsk! Why the fuck could she not think straight when it comes to his husband? She was an outstanding person I knew, I could never compete with here when it comes to academic, but now, now that she vowed the rest of her life to her husband, it seems like she's a completely different person- she even gave up her career just so that his ego won't get stomped on. They're supposed to be united as one, not divided. They should be supporting, lifting each other, not like this!
"No matter what I say, still, nothing!" I sighed in desperation.
*Ring*
Unknown caller
Declined, no spam callers for today, I'm too stressed out already!
"Achan? Why did you put row C below? Didn't I specifically tell you to keep them on top of the sheet?" Ate Nichole
"Huh? Didn't you say to move them down, that way, their addresses would be easier to see?"
"I never said anything remotely close to that, I told you to keep them up top so that we can sort their names alphabetically?" Ate Nichole slightly raised her voice.
Is she trying to test me in front of our colleagues?
I know I'm forgetful, but when it comes to my work, I never forget any instructions they set upon me!
"Really? Ahehe, I might have forgotten it, wait, lemme just change it quick!" I laughed it off before running to my table to change the workbook that was saved on my laptop.
"Was it supposed to be like that?" I asked after sending her the newly changed document.
"Nice, thanks, girl!" She giggled with satisfaction.
That would fuel her entire weekend, for sure!
"No prob!" I just waved my hands in the air as I dug my forehead into the edge of my table.
Achan, can you please put Row C down the client list's names? So that we can sort them by their addresses, I don't like them up there, it's so ugly, thanks! Sent by: Nichole from work.
Tsk!
Everyone would lose their minds if I showed that to them. You're lucky today, I'm all spent.
I'd also rather not confront her stupidity. I know she's just bored with her life, and she's lashing out at the newly recruited like me!
"Anyway, this should do it. I have to clock out early, my kids need to be picked up!" Ate Nichole
"Should we also go? It's only a few minutes left anyway!" Ate Mary whispered to me without taking her eyes from her phone.
Can she stop watching movies on her phone during her work time? Didn't she say she's behind on her tasks?
"Wait, are you gonna go with us later? We want to go to the first-ever club in our town!" She's too excited.
That's just a waste of money, nothing more than a glorified drinking place for alcoholics!
"I forgot it's already Friday? Sorry, but I have plans-"
"Hmp! Why are you always like that? When are you gonna loosen up? You're part of the company now, no need to act like a diligent worker!" She giggled, teasing me.
"You do know that I was raised like this, right? I only know two places, and that's the office and my bed, besides, I hate crowded places!" I smiled at her, politely turning her down.
This is the 12th Friday that she has asked me to go drinking since I got hired in this company. And there's no way she can ever change my mind, even our boss doesn't drink!
"Hmp, if you really don't like crowded places, then why did you apply to be in the Admin?"
Did she just? Now I know what she really wants, she's trying to remind me of my place in this company!
"You are aware that this position is the only job title that accepts senior high grads, right?" I tried making my tone playful.
"Oh, right, damn it, my bad!" She gently slapped her head.
I immediately packed my things and left her before she could even think of another insult.
"Hey, your coffee!"
"Enjoy!" I raised my hands as I continued to walk out of the office.
I may be just an aide, but I do almost all the work in our office section. Where's the justice? I can't even ask for a raise, I just got out of the three-month paid internship program.
"How can I join them and enjoy alcohol when I'm already tired first thing in the morning?" I said to myself.
Tsk, "I envy you, how are you done with your work already?!" Was she for real? I never started my tasks for today, that's why I was done with my work. For they burdened me with that energy sucking project!
"I will never accept any work-related request from them, ever again!" I sighed.
*Ring*
Unknown caller
Decline
"Why are there so many spam callers today?" I squealed before turning on the anti-spam call.
Why did I only turn this on today?
*Ring*
"Really? How did they-" I stopped complaining when I saw the caller ID.
"'nak, tell me, you did burn all your father's books, right?!"
"Fuck, Ma? Yes, I did, a very long time ago!" I whined after being screamed at on the phone.
"Then why did a bunch of men find my house and ask me about your father's whereabouts? Were you Practicing?!" She kept her voice high.
Tsk, this woman, she only calls me when it's about her. Now she's even accusing me of such wicked allegations!
"If there's nothing else you want from me, I'll drop the call!" I politely said, restraining myself.
"Wait, anak, I'm sorry, I was just shocked, you know how it is with me and your father, especially when it comes to his work. Anyway, how are you-"
Call ended
"Oops, the call ended?" I said to myself with my finger hanging in the middle of the screen.
Tsk, did she really think that I would keep her on the line for longer? I would never entertain her foolery. Stay in your new family, never act like you still care for our family!
"Tricy!" I screamed because I have been standing here for too long now.
My attention was caught by a raging van, I immediately stepped back after seeing it charging in the direction of the street where I was.
*Tires screeching!* It stopped in front of me.
"Oops, sorry!" I politely moved out of the way when I saw it stopping at the gateway where I am.
This driver could have hit me with how fast that turn was!
"Are you Achan Villanueva Allare?" A middle-aged man, dressed in a suit, from the passenger seat, got out and greeted me.
A bunch of businessman-looking-ahh was looking for you.
"No-No?" I answered with a question as I stared at the picture he's handing out to me.
A picture of me. I know that shirt, I just bought that and wore it for the first time yesterday. It was taken in the cafeteria next to my office building when I was buying food for lunch!
"Hmm?" The guy turned the picture around, and there I saw my full name written on it and the date yesterday.
"Run!" I screamed before storming out of there!
"Hey, come back here!" The guy tried catching up to me, but I already had a good head start.
"Chase after him!" I heard and felt the number of people chasing me increase.
"HELP!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I tried to keep my pace.
Motherfucker, Pa? Are these the people you were indebted with? Fuck!
"Stop!"
"How the fuck did all these people fit in that fucking van?!" I screamed after looking behind me.
More than ten people are chasing me, and all of them are wearing suits and ties... What are they, men in black?!
"Shit shit shit shit, shit!" I whispered in the middle of my breathing.
"Catch him on the other side!"
I snuck into an small crevice in the middle of two buildings, luckily I have smaller body, non of them could ever follow me with those pregnant ass looking beer bellies they have!
"Fuck you Pa, you said you already settled all the people you scammed?!" I screamed into the sky after I managed to get out of the other side of the crevice.
"He's here!" My relief was cut short when I heard them closing in.
Who are these people? What do they want?!
Although I can feel my feet losing their strength, I still managed to run away from them. I still don't want to die, after all.
"Shit shit shit! Help!" I ran into the street and flailed my hands in the air.
Where the fuck are the people of this town? The curfew's not out until 9 in the afternoon... Where are the fucking police checkpoints, the passersby, even the highway's empty?!
"Stop right there!" I can hear them closing in.
"Kyaaaaahhh!" Then there it goes, I lost my manly cool.
I let out a fucking girly scream!
"Get in!" A random man in a black car, parked on the highway, offered their help.
His car door on the passenger seat opened.
"Huh?" I clutched my phone and my bag as I tried to look at whoever was in the driver's seat.
Is this a tourist? No locals would dare own such a high-class looking car, they would get it stolen the moment they parked it on their driveway!
"Hey kid, don't you dare!" I heard the men in black, meters away from us.
"Fuck, a stranger or a bunch of strangers?" I asked myself as I closed my eyes amid my panic.
"I said, get in!" He suddenly grabbed me from inside and stepped on the gas.
"Gah!" I sighed out of relief when I felt myself far from the danger of those crooks!
I tried to calm myself, but I'm still panicking, my heart beating out of my chest from all that running!
"Tha- Thanks... Sir?" I was about to thank the guy who saved me , but-
"No prob!" He smirked as he fixed his tie with his free hand.
*Click* Did the car door on my side just get locked?
*Gulp* Those familiar white tie and black suit... He's wearing the exact same suit as the people who chased me.
Fuck my life!
"Yo- You can drop me off here, tha- thank you for yo- you- your help!" I tried to calm down, but his stare is sending shivers down my spine!
"You're too hard to track down, you know that? And you even blocked my number!" He said while focusing on the road.
"Hu- Huh?" I turn to him.
He's the unknown number?
"You gave my men a hard time catching you, you even hurt yourself in the process, do you know how important it is for us to bring you unharmed? Are you seriously this spontaneous, or it just your initial fight or flight response?" He said while shaking his head, and parked the car on the side of the road.
"Ca- Can you please drop me off here, sir..." I asked once more, dropping my gaze.
My hands got cold, my head feels big, and my feet feel numb.
Am I gonna die here? Pa, if we ever meet down on hell, I'll fucking drown your ass on the burning lava. You told me you paid all your debt already? What influential figure did you scam before dying?!
"Tsk, here, let me get you fixed up!" He said and reached for something in the storage box.
He then got out of the car and went to my side, carrying the first aid kit that he had taken.
"Let me see?" He opened the door on my side and leaned down to meet my face.
"Can you-you please just drop me off here, sir?" I asked once again, trying not to meet his gaze.
I'm still stuttering, I'm so scared! I can't stop my hands from shaking.
"Let me?" He said politely as he lent me his hands.
"Ouch!" I suddenly felt the pain in my right arm when he poured alcohol on it.
When did I get this cut? Must have been from that crevice, I got caught in a protruding wire or something- I must have ignored the pain because of the adrenaline rush!
"Forgive me, but we need your wound sanitized. You're lucky it doesn't need stitches!" He patted it with a clean cotton and covered the wound with gauze, then taped it in place.
I couldn't do anything else but watch him.
Light tanned clear skin, well-built physique, long curvy lashes, pointy nose, and a well-defined jawline- when did the debt collectors become this good-looking?
He looks like a model or an actor, a very good one!
"Take off your shirt, it's dirty." He plainly said before standing straight.
"Huh?" The only thing I could respond.
"Take them off, or I will!" He said, irritated.
"What?!"
He sighs, not taking his eyes off me.
*Rips*
"Fuck!" The only thing I could say after watching him tear down my shirt from my collar down the middle.
"Don't curse me, please, just wear this instead, your shirt's stained with dirt and blood, it needs to be thrown off!" He put his thumbs to my lips and stared into my eyes.
What the? If I didn't know that he's one of those crooks, I might mistake this as his way of flirting. What did my father get his son into?!
Don't tell me they need me fresh, so that they could sell my body parts-
I was caught off guard when he suddenly removed his tuxedo and helped me wear it.
"Buckle up, this is gonna be a long drive!" He smiled before closing the door.
It didn't click? He didn't lock it!
*Sigh*
"We'd better buy new sets of clothing for you!" He said as he entered the driver's seat.
1
"Are you okay now?" He stared at me.
2
"You're still in shock, I get it, don't worry, I don't bite-"
"GO!" I screamed after pulling the door handle and rushing out of the car.
"Damn it Achan!" I can hear his disappointed sigh before I get out.
"HELP!" I screamed and ran for my dear life.
I was an athlete back in school, it's only been a year, I'm sure I still got it-
"Where do you think you're going?!" I can hear him next to me.
*Rips!* The sleeves on my right arm got ripped from the force of his pull.
*Thunderclap!* I can hear the sudden noise from the sky.
"AAAHH!" The scream I let out when the pain in my right arm started pulsating.
The dark clouds in the sky formed like the blood on my sleeve began oozing out.
"FUCK! Achan, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He suddenly hugged me upon realizing what he had just done.
My cut got bigger, he pulled my arm too much!
"Fuck!" I let out a loud cry.
I can feel the blood pouring out, the skin aching from the sudden pull.
"I'm sorry, please stop the cursing!" He started tearing up as he tried to wipe off my tears.
"Pa, Ma!" The only names that I could call out.
I hate pain, I hate the feeling of being vulnerable, I don't want to ever feel this again, but why does it always find a way to reach me?
I thought I hated them, but why am I still looking for their help, for them to save me?
I guess in the end, they still are your parents, and it's natural to call out for them when you need help.
"Argh! FUCK!" I gritted my teeth to try and stop myself from crying, but guess what?
I can't.
I don't wanna feel like this again, somebody please stop it!
*Lub Dub!* I was caught off guard, I stopped crying, but my heart won't stop beating so loudly...
I suddenly felt his soft, warm lips on mine- he's kissing me?!
"Can you stop cursing me?" He smiled as he stared at me, wiping the tears off my cheeks.
"Did you just fucki-" I was about to go off, but he leaned in again for another kiss.
Who's this guy? And why is he kissing me?!