His Broken Gem

HBG 10

Stella's POV

It's been 3 days and I'm not getting enough sleep. My insomnia is worsening each day. It makes me more anxious and I get easily irritated. Every time I close my eyes, my nightmares would always disturb me. Kahit umidlip lang ako ay nagpapakita pa rin sila.

"I told you to be careful! We've just lost an important client because you mess up!" I shouted at the idiot employee of mine. They made an error on their presentation and now we lost an big client. I should have not trust them with this. I let my guard down since they are doing very well but yet they disappoint me.

"Sorry po ma'am, hindi na po mauulit," she mumbled as she lowered her head even more. Hindi ito makatingin sa akin. Afterall, why would she dare to look at me after what she did? She should at least do me a favor and disappear.

"Maibabalik ba ng sorry mo ang kleyente na 'yon? Of course not! That's because you are irresponsible!" I flop down on my swivel chair while rubbing my temple. I suddenly feel dizzy from all the shouting. I noticed her, still standing like a fool in front of my desk. It makes me more irritated. Kinuha ko ang isang pile ng folder sa tabi ng ko at itinapon iyon sa gawi niya.

"Scram!" I yelled and she immediately made her way out of my office. I release a deep breath as I continue to massage my temple.

I can't continue working feeling like this. I press the intercom that was connected to my secretary's table.

"Hello ma--" Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa sasabihin niya.

"Prepare the car for me, no driver. I'll drive alone." I didn't wait for her response and ended the call. I gathered my things and put it inside my bag as I head towards the door. My secretary immediately stands up as she saw me, she was holding the telephone.

"Ready na raw po ang kotse ma'am," she said while bowing her head. I just nodded in her direction and headed towards the elevator. Umalis don siya sa table niya at pumasok sa office ko para iligpit ang kalat ro'n. My head is still pounding like crazy, I feel like it will burst anytime.

When I reach my car, I immediately drive away from the building. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta but who cares! I just want to stay away from everyone, I need time alone to calm myself. After driving for almost an hour, I decided to head home already. That might be enough to refresh my mind.

I opened the door and halted when I saw Sebastian's sister in the living room, writing something in a sheet of paper on top of the coffee table. She also stop to look at me, but she avoided my gaze afterward. She immediately gather her things and put them in the corner kung saan hindi makalat tingnan. Maybe she's afraid of me. I look around and realized na siya lang ang tao rito.

"Where's your brother?" I asked her. She just look at me while tilting her head to the side. I think she didn't understand what I said since she has a confuse look on her face. I sigh as I ask her again.

"Kuya mo?" I simply asked. Mukhang naintindihan niya naman iyon dahil sumagot siya sa akin.

"May pinuntahan po," she respectfully said as she stand so awkwardly in the corner of the living room kung nasaan ang mga gamit niya kanina.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sagot niya. I can't believe that guy, he left his sister all alone, without any guardian? I rubbed the bridge of my nose as I started to feel my headache again. Ugh, I should just stop thinking.

'Stella, don't mind them. It's not like it is your business for you to care,' Megan huffed.

I considered Megan's suggestion and makes my way to my room. I just wanted to rest and try to get some sleep. I was lying on my bed as I stares on my ceiling waiting for my sleep to come. It seems like it's not coming, though. I look at my door when I heard a knock. I sigh as I get up to open it. I saw her at my door while holding a glass of water standing far away from me.

"Uhm, gusto niyo po ng tubig?" she offered me. I glance at the glass of water she was holding. Her eyes were fixated on me, hoping that I would take it but she's still hesitant to come near me.

I look at it before looking back at her. Her big doe eyes made me hesitantly take the glass of water from her hands. "T...Thanks," I whispered. It's not like I really want to take it. I don't know why pero hindi ko magawang tanggihan ang alok niya.

I was about to close the door when she suddenly speak. "Ate? Gusto mo nang masahe? Marunong po ako niyan, madalas ko pong minamasahe si Kuya kapag galing siya sa trabaho at pagod," she innocently stated as she keeps on fidgeting her fingers.

I shook my head as I answered, "Sure." My eyes widen, surprised by my answer. My action is opposite to my reply. I was supposed to decline...Elly?

'Sorry, ate but I like her! I want to be friends with her,' she said at the back of my head. I groan in frustration. Oh come on. Give me a break.

"No," I firmly said. Napakurap naman ako ng mapansin ko ang mga tinging iginagawad sa akin ng kapatid ni Sebastian... What was her name again?

'She's Shy. Sometimes kuya Ali calls her Andy,' Elly answered. Who teh hell is she calling kuya?

"I didn't ask you," I said.

"Sorry po, akala ko kasi kailangan mo nang masahe..." Napalingon akong muli kay...Shy. She was lowering her head in embarrassment, she might think that I'm talking to her. I totally forgot about her because of this kid inside me.

Damn, Elly. Stop talking to me.

'Okay, siya na lang kakausapin ko.'

Before I can even complain, she immediately took over the conversation.

"It's okay, come in," I cheerfully said...well, it's not me who's talking. Tinignan naman akong muli ni Shy na may pagtataka sa mukha.

"Sigurado po kayo?" she inquired as she hesitantly took a step inside. I gently tugged her hand and pull her inside.

Again! It's not me. Kahit naguguluhan ay sumunod naman siya sa akin at hindi na nagprotesta pa.

"Yes! By the way, I'm Elly." I offered my hand to her, waiting for her response. She looks at me first before shaking my hands.

"Ako po si Shy. Nickname niyo po pa ang Elly, Ate Stella?" she curiously asked, tilting her head sideward. She may be wondering why did I introduce myself as Elly when my name is Stella. Hilaw akong napatawa habang napakamot sa batok ko.

"Yeah, puwede rin," I said as I smile at her. I hop on my bed to avoid the awkward atmosphere, patting the empty space beside me, motioning her to come. She followed me afterward, she instructed me to lie down on my stomach, which is I obeyed. Her small hand starts to do wonder at my sore back. She lightly put a pressure on my upper back.

"Ate, gusto ko lang po mag-thank you sa pagpapatira sa amin ni kuya rito. Sorry rin po kung medyo natagalan, natatakot po kasi ako sa inyo no'ng una," she blabs as she massages my back. I just close my eyes as she puts light pressure on every massage.

"Hmm, really?" I hummed and said at the same time. She doesn't have the strength and right pressure like most of the massage therapists but her's were more relaxing.

"Opo, hindi po kasi kayo ngumingiti eh. Ang ganda niyo po sana kaso ang sungit niyo," she continues to blab. She even stretch her eyes upward trying to make a expression. I just hummed a response to her, didn't realize that I've already dozed off.

I didn't know how long did I fall asleep. I felt some fatal movement beside me, but I keep my eyes closed, savoring the peace that I've felt. But that peace didn't last long...

"Kuya, I'm scared," I cried as I clutch the hem of his polo, looking around in the darkroom. We were locked inside of this room and we don't know how many hours passed.

He scooted closer to me and embrace me. "Shh. Don't worry, Stell. Kuya's here," he comforted me while patting my back.

"Kuya, I want to go home na. Mom and Dad might be worried," I cried even more.

I scream when the door suddenly opened and they are starting to grab me and Kuya by force that I can't even budge.

I just cried more louder when I heard Kuya Jasper shouting my name.

"No, please..."

I felt a hand on my shoulder that made me instantly jump.

"Don't hurt me," I beg as I tried to cover my head using my hands.

"Kuya, wake her up! Nanaginip is ate," I heard a tiny voice in my surroundings but my mind is focused on the man who's dragging me.

"Hey," muling wika nito.

"No, please." I sobbed.

"Wake up." I felt the hand on my shoulder start to shake me off. They're going to hurt me again. They're going to hurt Kuya.

"Wakey-wakey princess."

I opened my eyes in shock, I was met with a pair of hazel eyes that were staring right through my eyes. I didn't move and just stared back at him. I was still panting as if I just ran from a marathon.

"Ayos ka lang ba?" he suddenly speaks which makes me come back to my senses. I blink multiple times trying to understand what just happened.

I dreamed again, then he's here. Wait...bakit nandito siya?

"What the hell are you doing inside my room?" I shrieked and push him away from me and hug myself. I saw Shy flinch at my sudden uproar as she backs away. I'm not comfortable with our closeness. Lumapit siya sa kapatid niya at pinauna na itong lumabas.

"Ginising ko lang si Shy, kasi nakatulog siya sa tabi mo," saad niya nang makalabas na ang kapatid niya. He gets off the bed and puts his hands on his pants pocket. "It's not like I intentionally want to go inside here."

I can feel my body shake from nervousness as a stranger entered my room. I look around to see no one.

"Get out!" I yell. I pushed him towards the door. Sinubukan niyang manlaban sa panunulak ko sa kaniya but I am determined to push him out of my room.

"Teka nga...aray ano ba!" he whined when I suddenly pushed him out. When he successfully reached the door, I immediately closed it in front of him.

"Don't you ever come near me again!" I shouted.

Bumalik ako sa kama ko, I wrap myself in the comforter, crying. My anxiety took over me, it was so overwhelming that made me cry in distress. I tried to do the breathing technique to calm myself but no matter how many times I breathed, I just kept on choking by the air I consumed. I look around and found my phone on the bedside table. I push myself to move even though my breath was already short, making it hard to breathe.

I need to call someone. I need to call Kuya.

"Kuya," I murmured between my sobs, putting the phone in my ear. I covered and hide under the comforter waiting for someone to come

"Hello?" I heard the person in the other line talking.

"S-Save me, pl-please..." I cried out.

"Stell? What happened? Wait...papunta na 'ko, hintayin mo 'ko..." I heard some noises from the background.

I cried and cried but my tears won't seem to run out.

I cried all night while waiting for someone to come.