TROUBLED MEMORIES

Episode 2

**Seth's POV**

"Hey! Sese! wanna play?" called out a little girl.

"Alex! stop calling me Sese! It's soooooooooooooooo baduy!" I replied with a pout as I approached the girl and sat next to her.

"Sese! Your name is cute! It's not baduy, okay?"

"Grrrr! Whatever, brat! Come with me, I'll show you something," I said, and pulled the little girl towards the forested area of our village.

"It's so creepy here! I want to go home!"

"Alex, we're not there yet. It's still early, see, the sun is still up," I replied, pointing at the sun.

"But Sese!"

"Alex, please?"

The little girl fell silent and followed me. After about half an hour of walking, we arrived at a cliff overlooking the sea. We had a beautiful view of the setting sun.

"Wow, Sese!" the little girl said, jumping around and clapping.

"See? It's beautiful, right?"

"It's breathtaking."

The little girl then sat down by the cliff, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the breeze.

"Alex, I'm leaving," I said.

The little girl smiled as she continued to gaze at the beautiful view. "Are you coming back, Sese?"

"I-I don't know."

I gave her a necklace and said, "I hope when I see you again, you'll still wear this."

She smiled, still looking at the sunset. "Goodbye, Sese."

"Alright."

We walked back to the village, but before we could go far from the cliff, we saw a tall and high building.

"What's that?" asked the little girl.

"Let's see."

"Oh no, no, no! They might see us! Let's go home!"

"Shhhh! It'll be quick."

"Sese-------"

*End of Dream*

I woke up gasping for breath, my heart pounding. I held my head as I was experiencing another painful headache. The voices and flashes of light were overwhelming.

"Apo, wake up! You're having another nightmare," my grandfather said gently as he sat beside me.

I sat up, catching my breath.

"Are the kids bothering you again?" he asked.

I nodded. "The voices, Lolo. I can't take it anymore."

"You'll remember everything in time, my dear. Let's wait. Come on, drink some water to calm yourself."

I took the glass of water he handed me and drank it. "Grrrr! This is getting tiring!"

"You'll remember everything eventually. Just be patient. I'm here to support you."

"Thanks, Lolo. I really hope I remember soon. It's so frustrating."

"You'll get through this. I know you will," he said, patting my back gently.

I got up and went downstairs to eat my breakfast.

*Ring! Ring! Ring!*

"Hello, what do you want?" I answered the call.

("Ah, eh, sir, you have a meeting at our Palawan branch. The stockholders will be there tomorrow night.")

"When is the meeting?"

("Next Saturday, sir.")

"Alright, I'll be there."

("But, sir, the stockholders want to meet you tomorrow.")

"I see. Fine, I'll be there tomorrow then."

I stood up and cleaned up after eating, then I drove to my office in my branch of the business here in Cebu.

What is my business? Hmm. It has four parts. The ground floor is a 24/7 store. The second floor is the restaurant. The third floor is the boutique section. The fourth floor and rooftop are the bar section. But it's only here in Cebu.

Each branch of my business has different sections. Some have hotels and restaurants. Others have a salon and boutique. There's also a book store and movie house, among many others.

But of course, I can't do that alone. I have stockholders, and they are my friends from when I was still studying at Sly University, three years ago. There were only five of us who planned this business. All of us were Business Administration students at SU. However, we didn't finish our studies because of the business we started. We also discussed that I would be the owner of our business, and they would be the stockholders because I contributed the largest amount of money to start our business.

And the four idiots are so excited about the meeting which will only happen next Saturday!

"Good morning, sir," the employees greeted me as I walked towards my office.

I just nodded at them and entered my office. "Kit, my schedule please," I called her on the intercom. The door to my office opened right away.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted. "Sir, you don't have any meetings this week except for the one with the stockholders."

"My meeting with Mr. Buenaventura is on Wednesday, right?"

"Sir, your meeting with Mr. Buenaventura is moved..." she said, looking for something in the papers she was holding. "to next month."

"Next month? Why is that?"

"Uh, um, sir. Mr. Buenaventura and his family have a vacation this month in Macau."

"Tsk!"

"Uh, sir, I'll reschedule it for next week," she said in a panicked tone. "I'll set another meeting."

"No, no, no, no," I said, making a hand gesture. "It's okay, but make sure the meeting takes place next month."

"Yes, sir."

"You may go," I told her, and she turned around to leave. "Oh, wait, Kit!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Your jepjep is looking for you," I said teasingly.

She glared at me and continued walking. As she left, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Call that i***t," I looked for the number to call and turned on the intercom. "Yow."

("Oh? Why did you call? You miss me?")

"f**k you! Haha," I yelled at him. "Your jepjep is looking for you."

("Hey! don't make fun of me in front of that nerd!")

"Hahaha! What?! Kit is beautiful! Your eyesight is blurry, you----"

*Blllaaaaaaaaag!*

"Wew," I said, placing the speakerphone on the table and stood up.

("Hey! What was that? What's happening there?") he shouted from the other line. I covered my mouth to hold back my laughter.

"Damn you, you goat! What nerd? Just wait until I see you!"

("Oh, it's you, piggy!") he said, laughing loudly. ("You're looking for me, huh?") Upon hearing that, I carefully walked out of my office.

"Hey! Why would I look for a goat?! It's you who's looking for me!"

("What----?") he shouted. ("Hey, Sethoy! This i***t here!")

"SEEEEEEEETHHHH!" Kit shouted.

"Bye!!!!!" I said, opening the door and running out.

"Hahahahahahhahahaha!" I laughed while running. People were looking at me strangely.

I managed to catch my breath as I entered the elevator and pressed the button to go to the 1st floor. "Hahahahahaha! Epic face!" I continued laughing inside.

While in the elevator, my head suddenly started to ache, followed by a blinding light that I saw. "Stop me, please..." I gasped. I held my chest because my heartbeat was getting faster until I ended up sitting on the floor, screaming. "I can't take it anymore! Stop!"

~Unggoy! Unggoy ka! Unggoy!~

~You're not allowed to sit here~

~Unggoy, I'm hungry~

~Damn it! Hey, guy!----~

"Auuuuuuuuuugggggghhhhh!" I screamed as I pulled my hair because I kept hearing the woman's voice repeatedly.

I tried to open my eyes, but it was difficult. I heard many shouts and screams until I lost consciousness.

"Ay, pucha! Talo na naman ako?! Nandadaya ka, no?! Umamin ka nga!" - sabi ni Air.

"Tangina, sapakin kita diyan eh! Mahina ka lang talaga kaya palagi kang talo!" - Grey.

"Hoy! Anong mahina?! Madaya ka! Madaya!" - Air.

"Pag di pa kayo tumigil, pag-uuntugin ko yang ulo niyo! Nakikita niyo, may natutulog! Sarap niyong bigwasan!" - Xyrus.

"'Tong ulol na 'to kasi eh!" - Grey.

"Gusto niyo din bang ma-confine?" tanong ko habang nakapikit pa din.

"Pare! Nagsasalita ng tulog! Dali, lapitan natin!" - Air.

"Sige, kayo na lang." - Xyrus.

"Pare, gumising ka na kasi! Ang panget mo na nga, pumanget ka pa lalo dahil nakahilata ka lang dyan. Tsk! Di bale-----"

"Hoy! Mas gwapo ako sayo! Hangin nito!" - Air.

"Ikaw ang mahangin, AIR! Pangalan mo palang, ebidensya na!" - Grey.

'Sa harapan ko pa talaga kayo nagsisigawan ah?!'

Minulat ko ang mata ko at piningot ang tenga nilang dalawa.

"Aray! Seth ano ba!!! Aray, pucha!" sigaw ni Air habang pinapalo-palo ang kamay ko. Psh. Bakla talaga 'to.

"Lintek, Seth! Ang tenga ko! Ano ba?!" - Grey.

"Tsk tsk tsk." umiling-iling naman si Xyrus. "Yan ang napapala ng mga malilikot."

Binitiwan ko naman ang dalawa. "Oh, saan yung isa?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"Nakabuntot sa sekretarya mo malamang!" - Sigaw ni Air.

Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin. "Di mo kailangang sumigaw! Gago!"

"He-he. Kinaklaro lang naman," sabi niya at tumakbo papunta kay Xyrus. "Nga pala, Seth, aalis tayo bukas! Punta tayong Palawan!"

"Alam ko. Tch!"

"Ah eh. Seth sama na-----"

"Isasama daw nila mga nililigawan nila." singit ni Xyrus habang sa dyaryo nakatingin.

Napataas naman ako ng kilay. "May nagpapaligaw sa inyo?!! 'Nak ng pucha!"

"Hoy! Gago! Pinipilahan 'tong gwapong 'to no!" - Air.

"Pinipilahan ng shrimps." tawa-tawang sagot ni Xyrus. Sinamaan naman siya ng tingin ni Air at binatukan. "Pikon. Bading!"

"Ikaw ang bading! Torpe!" - Air.

"Hep hep! Tama na ah!" saway ko.

*Knock! knock! knock!*

Binuksan naman ni Air ang pintuan.

"Hoy, kambing! Di kita pinilit sumama!"

"Di mo nga pinipilit, nagpapaawa naman! Kunyari ka pa eh!" - boses ni Jeph.

"Nyanyunyinyonye! Ay, leche kayo! Dito pa kayo naglambingan! Alis! Alis! Shoooo!!!" taboy ni Air sa dalawa.

"Cheh!" singhal ni Kit at tinabig ang kamay ni Air.

"Ah, sir. Prutas po." sabi niya at inalis ang mga prutas sa lalagyan.

"Oh, isama niyo na 'to sa Palawan, tutal e pares-pares na naman kayo." baling ko sa kanilang apat at tinuturo si Kit.

"Oh eh ikaw?" - Xyrus.

"Kayo na. Marami pa akong gagawin." sagot ko. "Oh sige na.. Alis!!!!"

"Ahh! Seth sama nalang ako sayo!" - sabi ni Grey at kinapit ang kamay sa braso ko.

"Ako din!"- si Air at ginaya si Grey.

"Tsk! Susunod ako, okay? Mauna na kayo, dun susunod ako." sabi ko habang kinukuha ang kamay nilang nakakapit sa braso ko. "Oh sige na. Alis! Sasama ka, Kit, ah!"

"Yes, sir."

"Bayad na bills mo. Alis na kami." Xyrus.

"Bye, lover boy! Mwah! Mwah!" pahabol pang sigaw ni Grey.

"Fvck you! Alis!!!!!" sigaw ko at tinapon ang unan sa kanya.

Tumayo na ako at tumawag sa nurse station para magpa-assist at kunin ang dextrose na naka-kabit sa akin. Pagkatapos ay nagbihis na ako at lumabas sa room.

Nang makarating ako sa bahay ay nadatnan ko si lolo na nakaupo at nagbabasa ng dyaryo.

"Lolo."

"Oh apo, nakalabas ka na pala."

"Picture ko lang 'to," nakasimangot kong sagot sa kanya.

"Dinalaw kita ah!" sabi niya.

"Tch! Akyat na ako, lo. Good night," paalam ko at umakyat na sa kwarto. Pagpasok ko sa kwarto ay agad akong tumakbo pahiga sa kama at natulog.

*End of Seth's POV*

Sophia's POV

"Bunso, wake up," dinig kong tawag sa akin sabay tinapik-tapik ang kamay ko.

"Hmmm. asdfghjklzxcvbnm!"

"It's 7 o'clock na, bunso. It's your first day of class!"

"Wrtuuioofjfkgdsjjbf."

"Sophia!!!!" sigaw niya.

"Ito na nga po oh! Tatayo na.." sagot ko at bumangon na sa kama sabay hila sa kanya papunta ng pintuan. "Shoo na, kuya Jzard!"

"Bilisan mo dyan, kakain na tayo." sigaw niya. "Pag di ka pa kumilos dyan, doon ka talaga sa garden maliligo!"

"Maliligo na nga po oh! Alis na."

Naligo na din ako, nagbihis, buti nalang di pa kami required mag-uniform ang ikli non eh!

Pagkatapos kong gawin ang mga ka-ek-ekan ko sa katawan, bumaba na ako para kumain.

"Good morning," bati ko sa kanila pagdating ko sa dining area at umupo na sa tabi ni kuya Jzuxe. "Kuya!!!!!!!!" tawag ko sa kanya nat hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

"Tch, oo na! Ihahatid na! tsk," inis niya sabi. "Oh, kumain ka na. Late ka na!"

"Wow, yan lang pala kapatid mo dito? Grabe! Siya, may morning kiss kami wala?! Wow lang! Wow!" sigaw ni kuya Jzorde.

"Kuyaaaa!" tawag ko sa kanya at nag flying kiss.

"Tch!" singhal ng tatlo ko pang kuya.

Nag-pout nalang ako at sinimulan ng kumain. "Where are Dad and Mom?"

"Sa office malamang." - kuya Jzengdhii

"Bilisan mo na dyan. Late ka na." - kuya Jzengzi.

"Alright... I'm done... Bye mga kuya!!! Mwa!" sabi ko pagkatapos isubo ang huling pagkaing nasa kutsara ko at tumayo na. "Kuya Jzuxe! Palli!" sigaw ko habang naglalakad palabas ng bahay.

"Ganyan lang suot mo? Tomboy ka ba?" tanong ni kuya Jzuxe sa akin habang nagda-drive na papunta sa school.

"What's wrong with jeans and plain white V-neck shirt?! Tsk! Kaysa naman magpanty at bra lang ako, 'di ba?"

"Eh kase ang mga babae mahilig mag-dress! Samantalang ikaw!" sabi niya sabay iling. "Tsk tsk."

Nag-make face nalang ako at tumingin sa labas. Di rin naman nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa Sly University.

"Bye kuya!" sabi ko sa kanya at lumabas na ng kotse. "Ingat sa pag-drive!"

"Susunduin ba kita?"

"Hmm. Wag na." sagot ko. " Sige na hyung. Bye bye!" sigaw ko at tumakbo na papunta sa entrance. Ng makapasok ako, dumiretso na ako sa parking lot dahil ito ang napag-usapan naming lugar na magkita-kita.

Di pa ako nakakalapit ay nakita ko na silang tatlong nag-uusap. Di natagal ay nakarating na ako sa harapan nila at parang hindi man lang nila ako napapansin.

"Ikaw na kase magsabi A!" pabulong na sigaw ni Gensae.

"Ayaw."

"Oh ba't late ka?" singit ni Xylia na ako ang tinitignan. Napatingin na rin sa akin ang dalawa.

'Buti't napansin niyo 'ko!'

"Nandyan ka na pala S." -Gensae

"Wala pa."

"Aish!"

"Anong pinagtatalunan niyo?"

"A-ah eh, wala naman S. He-he" sagot ni Arkhiea kaya tinaasan ko sila ng kilay.

"Di raw sila papasok. Isang linggo." - walang gana namang sagot ni Xylia.

"Anong hindi papasok?! Isang linggo?! Gusto niyo ba talgang mag-aral?!"

"S naman! Di pa naman maayos ang klase eh! Tsaka may program bukas hanggang sabado kaya okay lang naman yun. Sige naaaaa pleeeaaasseee?" pa-cute na sabi ni Arkhiea. 'Pffft. Parang aso!'

"No."

"Pleaseeeee?" -Gensae

"Tsk. Saan ba kasi kayo pupunta, ha?!"

"Sa---" -Gensae

"Sa mga manliligaw nila." -Xylia

"Ang bitter nito oh! Kami kaya ang tinatanong hindi ikaw!" sigaw ni Arkhiea kay Xylia.

"Tagal sumagot eh." sagot niya at naglakad, sumunod na din naman kami sa kanya.

"May nanliligaw pala sa inyo? Pffffft--hahaahhhahahah!" biro ko sa kanila.

"Anong tingin mo sa amin, tomboy?" -Gensae

"Paminsan-minsan. Hahahaah!"

"Cheh!" sigaw nilang dalawa.

"Haha! pero saan ba talaga kayo pupunta?" tanong ko.

"Palawan." - Arkhiea

"Anong meron dun? Ba't doon niyo naisipan?" tanong ko ulit sa kanila. "Maliban nalang kung nandoon nga mga manliligaw niyo? Hahahahaha"

"Eh kasi----" -Arkhiea

"Oo na nga! Nandoon na! Payag ka na tapos sama ka na din, please?" -Gensae

"Bwahahahaha! kailan ba ang alis?"

"Mamayang hapon pa naman. 5 o'clock." - Gensae

"Haha! Oh sige.." sagot ko sa kanila. "Pero yung isa oh." sabi ko sabay turo kay Xylia na nakaupo sa bench sa garden at nagbabasa ng libro.

"S naman! Ikaw na pumilit sa kanya, sayo lang nakikinig 'yan eh." - Arkhiea

"Sige .. teka-" sabi ko at tumakbo na papunta kay Xylia.

"Kung pipilitin mo 'kong sumama, itigil mo na." sabi niya ng di ako tinitignan.

"Ang advance mo naman! Ba't ba ayaw mo?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Maliban nalang kung ayaw mo sa manliligaw mo?" tinitigan naman niya ako ng masama.

"Anong manliligaw?! Wala ako niyan!" sigaw niya. "Yuck!"

"Oh, eh ba't ayaw mo?" tanong ko sa kanya at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Oo na! Sasama na! Leche!" sigaw niya at inambaan ako ng suntok. "Alis na! Nagbabasa pa ako!"

"Hahah! Papayag din pala eh!" binalingan ko naman ang dalawa at nag-thumbs up sa kanila. Agad naman silang tumakbo papunta sa kinaroroonan namin at nagtatatalon sa tuwa.

"Wahahaahaha thank you S!" - Gensae.

"Alis nga kayo dito! Kita ng may nagbabasa eh! Ingay!" - Xylia

"Oy, yang pagkasuplada mo ah! Tigilan mo yan!" saway ko sa kanya na inirapan lang niya. 'Tch, ba't ang sungit nito?!'

"Tara na nga! Late na tayo sa 1st period!"

"Wag na lang kase tayong pumasok? Hehe"- Arkhiea.

"Baka gusto mong batukan kita?!" -Xylia.

"Sabi ko nga! Papasok tayo! Tsk. Tara na! Ang babagal maglakad!" sagot niya at nauna ng maglakad.

"Good morning, ma'am," sabay naming bati sa guro.

"Good morning," sagot niya at ngumiti. "Lahat ba kayo dito sa klase ko?"

"Te-kaa," sagot ko at tinignan ang schedule ko. Ganon din ang ginawa ng dalawa. "1st class--- room 3336--" bulong ko habang nakatingin pa din sa papel at saka tumingin sa number ng pintuan. "7785?!" Ay leche, di na pala kami magka-kaklase!

"Sorry, ma'am. Di po pala dito 1st class ko," pagpapaumanhin ko at tinitigan ng masama si Arkhiea na nagpipigil ng tawa.

"Kami din po, ma'am," sagot din ng dalawa.

"Sige po, alis na kami," paalam ko.

"Oh sige, malayo-layo pa naman yang mga rooms niyo," sagot niya.

"A, alis na kami," paalam ni Gensae kay Arkhiea at nilakihan siya ng mata.

Tango naman ang tugon niya bago magsalita. "Take care... pffft."

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at niyakap siya sabay bulong. "Humanda ka mamaya," saka ako ngumiti at tumalikod na.

'Haha! Humanda ka talaga!' >___< Ba't ba kase nakalimutan kong magkakaiba kami ng mga kurso?! 'Tong dalawa din di man lang nakapansin!' Tsk.

"Oh, saan room niyo?" tanong ko sa kanila habang naglalakad kaming tatlo.

"Papasok ka pa ba talaga?! 15 mins nalang 2nd period na!" - Xylia.

"Oh, eh saan tayo niyan?" tanong ko at nag-isip. "Tara! Garden nalang tayo."

Ng makarating kami sa garden, ay pumwesto kami sa ilalim ng malaking puno. Nakaupo lang ako at kung saan-saan nakatingin si Xylia naman ay nagbabasa pa din ng libro habang si Gensae ay nakahiga at natutulog.

"Ano yang binabasa mo?" tanong ko kay Xylia. "Nung isang araw pa 'yan ah?"

"Harry Potter," tumalikod naman siya sa akin. "Wag kang maingay."

"Tsh!" singhal ko sa kanya. "OA mo naman."

"Shhhhhh!"

Isinandal ko nalang ang katawan ko sa puno at pumikit. 'Buti pa at matulog na lang ako!'

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakatulog na ako.