Reincarnated?

Prologue

In this world, life sucks-problem here, problem there. Everyone has issues, and people say, "It's just a problem, you'll get through it." But for me, it's more than that. It feels like I'm trapped, and I don't know how to escape.

Sigh I let out a deep breath as I stared blankly ahead, unable to think of any way to be happy. I've lost interest in everything. I don't want to move, I don't want to study anymore.

I sighed again before grabbing my phone, scrolling through w*****d to find something to read. Even reading, which used to bring me joy and color, feels empty now. I don't even feel like doing that anymore. The old me, who found happiness in the simplest things-like a good book-feels gone.

Unable to find anything new to read, I ended up rereading my favorite story. I've read it countless times, but I never get tired of it. Maybe I'm envious of the characters. Weird, right? But I always think, I wish I were in that book, where every problem has a solution.

"Putang*na mo talaga, Richard! Kailan ka ba magbabago, ha?" I was in the middle of reading when I heard noise from outside. They were fighting again. Shouting here, shouting there. I stood up, grabbed my earphones, and just played some music.

"There you go again, Celine, with your accusations! Araw-araw ko na lang naririnig yang bunganga mo, nakakairita na!" Even with my music on full blast, I could still hear them shouting. I just sighed, continued reading, and ignored them.

I heard more banging downstairs before I continued reading again. I was already on Chapter 3 of the novel I was reading. The characters in this book make me envious-they have supportive friends, and most of all, loving parents who listen to their children's concerns. This book, for me, is perfect. The life I want is in here.

I put down my phone and started reflecting. Suddenly, I jumped as my bedroom door swung open, revealing my mom's angry face glaring at me.

"Ano, Celeste, wala ka bang balak bumangon dyan at magluto? Bwisit talaga kayo ng tatay mo sa buhay ko. Mga walang kwenta!"

I stood up at nagsuot ng tsenilas. "Mag luluto na po," I responded shortly. She left my room, slamming the door behind her. I sighed before stepping out of my room to head to the kitchen.

Every day is like this; it's exhausting. A kind of tiredness that sleep can't fix. I sighed again and started cooking dinner. While I was boiling the meat, my father entered the kitchen. He staggered towards the fridge, probably looking for something to drink again. This is the usual scene at home. He and mom would fight, then dad would drink, and in the end, he'd take out his anger on me. Before he could notice me in the kitchen, I lowered the heat on the stove at pasimple pumunta sa aming laundry area.

"Ano ba 'yan, ubos na naman ang beer ko! Putanginang buhay talaga!" I heard him yell as he stormed out of the kitchen.

As I slowly made my way back to the kitchen, the clatter of dishes and faint sound of the TV filled the air. My father's voice suddenly cut through the noise, shouting my name from the living room with a sharp edge. "Celeste, bumili ka nga ng alak!" he called, his voice carrying the weight of a command more than a request. I turned towards him, seeing him sprawled on the couch, one hand clutching the remote, eyes fixed on the screen. He didn't even glance my way as he barked out the order, completely absorbed in whatever show was playing.

With a sigh, I started walking towards him, my feet dragging slightly on the tiled floor. "Akin na po ang pambili," I said, extending my hand as I stood in front of him. He barely lifted his gaze, clearly irritated by the interruption, and thrust the money towards me. The bills slipped through his fingers and fell to the floor, fluttering softly before landing at my feet. I bent down, quietly picking them up, not bothering to comment. It wasn't worth it.

As I stepped outside, the cool evening breeze greeted me, a slight contrast to the stuffiness inside the house. The sky was beginning to darken, casting a dim glow over the street. I pulled out my phone and resumed reading the novel I'd been so engrossed in, the words drawing me into a different world. I had just reached chapter 10, and the tension in the story was building, pulling me deeper into the plot. With each step, I got more immersed, the world around me fading away as I focused on the screen.

It wasn't until I reached the corner store that I snapped back to reality. The familiar sight of Nanang Nelia's small shop came into view, its wooden walls weathered by time but still standing proudly at the edge of our neighborhood. I tucked my phone into my pocket and, with a grin, called out, "Nanang Neliaaaa!" My voice echoed a bit louder than intended, but I knew she was used to it.

"Susmaryosep!" Nanang Nelia exclaimed as she appeared from behind the counter, one hand clutching her chest in mock surprise. "Pasaway ka talaga!" she added, shaking her head as she eyed me with a playful smile. She knew me too well by now. "Oh, ano na naman ang bibilhin mo? Alak ulit?" Her voice carried a tone of exasperation, though it was laced with amusement.

"Opo, Nanang," I replied, trying to suppress a laugh. I could never fool her, even if I tried. Nanang Nelia was like a second mother to me, always ready with a joke or a scolding, depending on her mood. She shook her head at my response, her lips curling into a smile despite herself. "Alak na naman," she muttered under her breath, but the twinkle in her eye betrayed her fondness for me. She eventually handed me the bottle, still shaking her head, but now with a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. I couldn't help but grin as I took it from her at binayaran ang alak na binili.

I started walking again, holding the bottle of liquor I had just bought. This time, I didn't bother using my phone and let my thoughts wander instead. The cool evening air brushed against my skin, and the faint sound of distant traffic created a calming backdrop to my aimless stroll. I imagined myself being part of the novel I was reading, and a smile slowly spread across my face as I walked. The characters, the intricate plotlines, and the vivid settings began to blur with reality, as if I had stepped into the very pages of the story. My imagination carried me away to a different world-a world only I could enter, a place that existed solely in my mind, far from the responsibilities and stresses of the real world. Before I knew it, I found myself standing at the gate of our house. I paused for a moment, letting out a deep sigh before heading inside, the weight of my everyday life slowly returning as I reached for the doorknob.

As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the sharp, familiar voice of my mother coming from the kitchen, slicing through the quiet house like a knife. My heart raced, and my eyes widened in panic-I had completely forgotten about the food I was cooking! The aroma, which should have filled the house by now, was replaced by the distinct smell of something burning. My stomach dropped. Quickly, I handed the bottle to my father, who was lounging in front of the TV, oblivious to the chaos about to unfold. I rushed toward the kitchen, bracing myself for what awaited.

"Punyeta ka talagang bata ka! Saan ka nanggaling? Nangamoy at natuyo na itong niluluto mo!" My mother's angry voice boomed the moment I stepped into the kitchen. The burnt remains of my dish sat sizzling on the stove, blackened and unrecognizable. Her face, flushed with fury, twisted into a grimace as she yanked at my hair and smacked me with the wooden spoon she had in her hand.

"Aray, aray, Ma! Inutusan po kasi ako ni Papa bumili sa tindahan," I winced, trying to dodge her blows while explaining, my arms instinctively moving to protect my head from the relentless attacks.

"Wala akong pakialam! Ang simple-simple lang ng gagawin mo, pumalpak ka pa! Buwisit ka talaga!" she continued, her voice rising with every word, as she alternated between hitting me with the spoon and pulling at my hair. The tight grip she kept on me felt like an anchor dragging me back to reality-there was no escaping the wrath of my mother when I messed up like this.

Each hit stung, but it wasn't just the physical pain that made me wince. "Sorry po ma." I managed to squeak out, my voice trembling as I tried to appease her anger.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakarating na pala kami sa sala. Muntik na akong paluin ulit ni Mama ng sandok, pero mabilis akong nakaiwas. Ang hindi ko naiwasan ay ang madulas at matumba sa mismong lamesa kung saan umiinom si Papa. Natabig ko ang lahat ng nakapatong doon.

When I looked up, my father's face was contorted in pure rage, and an overwhelming sense of dread washed over me. His brows were furrowed, his jaw clenched, and his eyes burned with fury that sent a chill down my spine. My whole body froze in place, paralyzed by fear. It felt as if every muscle had shut down, as though I had been anchored to the spot. I could hear the pounding of my own heartbeat in my ears, loud and frantic, but my body remained motionless. His glare pierced through me, and I knew that there was no escaping what was about to happen.

For a moment, all I could do was meet his fiery gaze. There was something terrifying in the way his eyes locked onto mine-like a predator closing in on its prey. I couldn't speak, couldn't beg for mercy. My voice seemed stuck in my throat, trapped by the fear that gripped me. Then, in a split second, I saw his hand rise. That was when reality hit me, hard and fast.

"Bwisit talaga kayong mag-ina, puro kayo perwisyo sa buhay ko!" Hindi pa siya nakuntento sa mga suntok, kinuha niya ang sagwan na nakadisplay sa dingding at walang habas akong pinaghahampas. Mas lalong lumakas ang mga sigaw ko nang tumama ang sagwan sa balat ko.

Hindi ko na alam kung ilang hampas pa ang natanggap ko bago ako kinaladkad ni Papa. Hinablot niya ang aking buhok at buong lakas akong hinila. Alam ko kung saan ako dadalhin.

"Paaa! Ayoko po doon, please, Pa! Hindi na po mauulit," nagpupumiglas kong sabi sa kanya. "Ayan, dito ka para magtanda ka!" He didn't listen to me and left me there, a cold, heavy silence filling the air after he slammed the door behind him. The sound of the lock clicking shut echoed in my ears, sealing my fate in that dark room. I felt an overwhelming sense of despair wash over me as I tried to crawl toward the door, each movement a painful reminder of the beatings I had endured. My body screamed in agony, and despite my determination, I quickly realized I wouldn't make it; my limbs felt like lead, weighed down by the pain that coursed through me.