Uncharted Waves

PROLOGUE

I HEARD the lights flickered off two minutes after midnight. My eyes flared open, waiting for a moment more. Tulog na kaya sila? Katahimikan ay nanaig sa buong kabahayan. It's time.

Bumuga ako nang mahabang hangin, a feeble sob escaping between my dry lips.

Faint silence lingered, such quietness is sometimes ill and disturbing. Swollen and desolated, I force my eyelids to stay open and my own feet to get off the bed.

Tumira nang matinding sakit sa ulo ang aking pagtayo, prompting myself to stop in motion. I expected this. Sa simulang bumigay ako–sa sandaling iyon na kumawala ang luha sa mata ko. Wala na akong laban–natalo na naman nila ako.

Pero hindi ko na sila pagbibigyan nang muling pagkakataon upang matalo ako, ang mahayaang makontrol nila ang sarili ko. I've been living up to my parent's full management and authority, I never got to have I choice for myself.

Ang away sa pagitan namin ng ama ko ang nagsampal sa akin upang tumayo sa sarili ko na mat paninindigan. I have been putting my ambitions aside for them for too long, tama lang na tumutol ako sa gusto nila. Although my parent's words hurt, I never regret my response of defiance.

Napagtanto ko nalang ang sarili lumuluha, nagkagat labi ako upang pigilan ang hikbing nanunuksong kumawala. Pag-aakala kong ubos na lahat nang mga luhang ito, ay nagbibida naman itong mga ‘to. Agad kong pinahid ang mga luha at inabala ang tanaw sa paglibot-libot. I can't cry now.

I shook my head trying to be clear with everything, as I stop my gaze fell upon a picture frame. Walang kamalay-malay ay narating ko na pala ang bedside drawer ang kamay ko ay hawak na ang litrato. I lift it, gripping it close with a firm hold.

A flash of memories–good memories, deluge my mind, repelling in sudden force. I whiff, taking in the familiar scent of my room as tears finally sprung my eyes. I bit my lip to stifle any noise from escaping.

“I will miss this.” I muffled to myself.

Umiling ako at ibinalik sa pwesto ang litrato. Lumakad ako sa sliding window, binuksan ito nang dahan-dahan habang unti-unting sumilip ang malamig na hangin sa bahagyang nakabukas na bintana. I peered down below, staring at three story high ground. I couldn't help but swallow hard and mumbling a prayer to myself.

Alam kong mali itong gagawin ko, and it won't really make any difference to my parents. They don't even cared about me for a long time now. They probably wouldn't even bat an eye if something happened to me. Probably.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kwarto, studying everything before slipping on my bag.

I squeezed my slim body through the narrow opening of the window, praying that none of the hinges would creak and reveal my daring escape. Nauna kong inilabas ang kanang paa na tinapak ito sa matirik na lilang blokeng pader.

Kailan man ay hindi ko gusto ang pagkadisenyo nito. However I'm thankful for this very moment, alam kong mas mapapadali nito ang pagtakas ko.

I held my self against the window sill, making sure a firm grip. Pinigilan ko ang sariling tumingin sa ibaba, but ended up staring hard at the ground below my hanging figure, amix of anxiety and excitement coursing through my veins.

My heart pounded against my ribcage as I landed on the damp grass below, feeling the cold night air seep into my bones.

“Ow!” Sigaw ko sa tahimik na boses. My face crumpled and tears welled up from the pain.

The moon cast an eerie glow on my surrounding, as if mocking my decision to leave everything behind. Huminga ako nang malalim at kumawala nang mabigat na buntong hininga.

I lay down on the grass to soothe my throbbing feet. Sandaling namanhid ang paa ko sa lamig. I stood up only when the pain subsided. Masakit pa din ito sa aking paglalakad, but I had no choice but to make my way towards the gate.

I wiped my face in frustration. Pero mas nadagdagan pa lamang ito nang mapagtantong kailangan ko pa pala lumabas sa gate nang tahimik. Isa na namang pahamak!

Nagliwanag ang mukha ko nang mapansin ang naiwang hagdan sa gilid na pader ng gate. I headed towards it, carefully carrying it to cross the gate. Nang sa tamang posisyon ay agad akong umakyat at maingat tumawid sa kabila. Tumayo ako nang tuwid, ignoring the pain as adrenaline rush through me.

I hurried through the silent neighborhood, my tattered sneakers slapping against the pavement. Thoughts of my dysfunctional family and the weight of their expectations haunted my mind, pushing me to flee.

Hindi ko na kailangang tumingin pabalik sa huling pagkakataon. The stars above seemed to wink at me, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

Nang makarating sa port ay agad kong tinawagan ang aking kaibigan na si Rome. She picked up right away within one ring.

“Ayos ka lang?” Ay agad na bungad niya. I immediately feel guilty for trouble her for this. She must have stayed late waiting for my call.

“Oo.” Sagot ko. “Wag ka nang mag-alala safe naman ako, plus I'll be back in no time, hindi mo nga mapapansing umalis ako." Pabiro ko. Saglit tumahimik si Rome at mukhang nag-iisip.

“Sigurado ka ba dyan?”

Tumango ako. “I won't change.” I started clearly, pero hindi siguro. Alam kong pagsisihan ko ang desisyong ito. And it's fine, doon naman tayo nagsisimulang matuto sa mga maling nagagawa. If my controlling parents takes thay away too, hindi ko na alam kung paano pa ako nito.

“Totohanin mo kasi ako! Naglalayas ka ba dahil buntis ka?” Bulyaw niya na nagpabigla sa akin mang subra. For real? Iyon talaga ang naisip niya na dahilan sa paglalayas ko.

“Ano ka ba!” Hindi ko napigilan ang tawan siya.

“Seryoso ako at dapat ikaw did. Ano? Uuwi ka pa ba?" May bahid ng sama sa boses ng aking kaibigan.

“I'll say this honestly Rome. Ewan kung kailan, pero uuwi ako. Sigurado yan.”

“Galit ka paba sa kanila?”

Natigilan ako saglit sa tanong niya. I'd tried to think for an answer but I naisip kong mababaliw ako pag nanatili pa ako doon.” Malinaw ang pait sa aking tono. I hate to admit, pero totoo.

“Mag-ingat ka nalang. Tawagan mo nalang ako pag-ayos ka na.” Pamamaalam niya sa inaantok na boses.

I chuckle. “Tatawagan nalang kita, for now matulog ka na. Thanks for the help." Saad ko at ibinaba ang tawag.

Naglakad sa maginaw na harbor, dinadaan ang harap nang naglalakihang mga barko. I can hear the tide of the ocean splashing against the massive sea wall in the far corner. Wind blows as I continue my pace, I spotted the gallant ship that would carry me away from my family and immediately stride forward.

S.S. CAMER was displayed proudly on its side, beckoning me towards a new beginning. I clutched my bag tightly, my only companion through this uncertain journey.

Nang malapitan ay agad sumalubong ang isang lalake sa akin, guiding me to the entrance stairs. Alam kong isa ito sa inutusan ni Rome na sumama sa aking paglayag.

As I stepped onto the ship's deck, the smell of saltwater filled my nostrils, it's fresh and relaxing for some reason. A man signaled for imminent departure. People scurried around, their voices blending into a cacophony of languages. I felt lost in the crowd of strangers, but somehow, that anonymity brought me comfort.

“Excuse me, miss Peltz.” Tawag ng tauhan ni Rome sa akin. “Kailan po munang punta sa kwarto mo.”

Tumango, thankful that his someone's with me. "Maraming salamat po."

As I found my way to my room, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations, pinaghalong filipino at native visayan na lenguwahe ang umukupa sa aking pandinig.

I listened silently, my mind swirling with doubts and uncertainties. Would Cebu really be the escape I was searching for? Or was I just running away from my own shadows at umaasa na lamang sa ligaya ng sandali.

The ship's engines roared to life, vibrating beneath my feet. I leaned against the railing, gazing out into the vast expanse of the ocean. The night sky stretched endlessly above me, a tapestry of stars that seemed to whisper secrets of a brighter tomorrow.