A Kiss from the Beast

Prologue : KATALINA'S "Are you okay?" I immediately asked the moment I saw my brother Jericho laying in the hospital bed, pale and bruised. Kitang-kita ko rin ang panghihina niya sa mapungay niyang mga mata. The last time I saw in this image was our parents, ones are barely alive and ones is already dead. I tried to clear that painful image as I look at my brother. Almost all my life I'm pretending to be okay, like I was moved on, but the truth is until now I still have nightmares every night, picturing the last memories with my mom, holding my hand saying goodbye, and my dad's cold hand, closed eyes, waiting for him to respond every time I'm calling his name but there was none. I was just early 20's that time, at kailangan ko pa ng magulang na magga-guide sa akin, mag-aalaga, makakasama. Gusto ko pa silang makasama, kailangan ko pa sila, pero wala na akong magagawa dahil wala na sila. I just wanted to grieve that time, but I can't, I have to be strong because I have my lil brother counting on me. He needs me, and I needs him too, to be with me. He was just 15 years old back then, and it was 2 years ago, pero ang sakit, pangungulila, at lungkot ay sariwa pa rin. Para bang kahapon lang iyon nangyari. "I'm okay, but I was scared," he quickly admitted, squeezing my hand. "I was afraid too, Jericho. 'Wag mo nang uulitin, hindi ako kasing tibay ni Mom na para bang kayang-kaya na mag-alaga o mag-handle ng mga pasaway na mga anak, kaya please, behave." He laugh weakly. "Seriously? You are the bravest, strongest woman I ever known, you're the best, Ate Kat. Daig mo pa nga si Darna, gusto mo si Wonder Woman pa!" I smiled wiping my tears at my cheeks. Seeing him in a good condition makes me feel better. "Ngayon naniniwala na ako sa sabi-sabi na bumabait ang taong muntik-muntikan nang mamatay," I said jokingly. "What? Who said that?" "Ah, wala bang nagsabi," I shrugged. "Maybe just me," I said in a sarcastic tone. He laughed for a few seconds but stop as he looked at the door. "But you know what's really scaring me now?" he sounds nervous and worried. I just silently waiting for him to say anything. "That I killed a guy." "What!?" "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I swear! I was drunk and driving nang bigla na lang siyang nagpakita sa daanan ko, it was too late when I pulled the break. I tried not to hit him, trust me, but I'm out of control that's why I hit the tree instead," he explained and held my hand. I saw the fears in his eyes, at alam kong ganoon din ang nakikita sa mga mata ko ngayon. The last thing that I want him to do is to killed someone, accidentally or intentionally. "Please do check on him, for me, I need to know if he's safe." Tumango ako at hinalikan ko siya nang magaan sa kaniyang noo para mapakalma. Kagaya ng hiniling niya ay iniwan ko nga muna siya para hanapin ang lalakibg sinasabi niya.