The Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher (13)

Ilang araw na ang lumipas simula noong magka sagutan kami ni mama. She didn't call or kahit text man lang, I guess she doesn't wanna see me anymore and it's fine. I needed to get away from them, from the people who kept burrying me in the past. Nakakasakal. Nakakalunod. Nakakapagod.

"Pansin ko these past few days ang tamlay mo. May nangyari ba?" Liz is with me right now, she wanted to spend some time together since naging busy na siya as a wife.

"Just usual stuff kapag umuuwi ako sa amin." I sighed and rested my head on the couch.

"Yeah but like this time it's different." she can really tell if I'm going through something.

"I guess it's because of what happened to me and my mom that night. Nagkasagutan kami eh."

"Why? What happened?" she shifted her seat to have a better position listening to what I have to say.

"I exploded. Napagod na ako sa mga sinasabi at sa mga tinginan nila. She went to me at sinabing kailangan ko pagbayaran ang kasalanan ko which is Yesha's death 'cause it's my fault. Sa sobrang bigat ng nararamdaman ko I exploded saka sinagot siya and told her everything that I endured for years and what I truly felt. After that I left."

Surprisingly I didn't feel like crying. Normally kasi kapag inaalala ko ang mga masasakit na bagay na nangyari it'll always lead me crying but this time wala akong maramdaman. She pulled me in for a hug and stroke my hair.

"You're a strong woman and I'm proud of you for being brave enough to tell her about your struggles. You're improving Paige and I know someday you'll get there." I smiled, I hope so. I really hope so.

We spent the day talking about a lot of stuff, we also watched movies but Liz can't stay for too long, she needs to go home. Kahit nagka asawa na siya she still finds way to accompany me kahit hindi naman na kailangan. I'm really glad I met her.

Habang nanonood ng palabas biglang tumunog ang tiyan ko. Ano na bang oras ba't gutom nanaman ako? I sighed and stood to look for food but when I opened my fridge, I was greeted with emptiness. Oh crap, di nga pala ako nakapag grocery and I can't keep eating fast food. Tiningnan ko ang oras, 5 pm pa naman. Mabilis akong naligo at nagbihis, may mart lang naman sa malapit doon nalang ako bibili.

Pushing the kart I kept glancing from the noodle isle. Bibili ba ako? Pero palagi na lang ako nag no-noodles. I shook my head and walked away, di ako pwede magpa tempt. It's not healthy. I walked passed and went to the meat section, prices are insane ngayon ko pa ata na realize na ang mahal na pala ng mga bilihin ngayon, kumuha lang ako ng apat na piraso saka dumiretso sa gulayan and bought whatever I like. I also bought some snacks and drinks to stock.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kart, nabili ko na ata lahat ng kailangan ko. After paying binitbit ko na ang mga supot and went outside and f**k it's pouring. Ang dami ko pa namang dala tas hindi pa ako naka dala ng payong.

"Ang lakas ng ulan no?"

"Holy s**t!" I almost dropped the bags when someone behind me spoke.

"Nathan? What are you doing here?" tanong ko habang inaayos ang pagkaka bitbit, ang bigat pa naman.

"Let me give you a hand." instead of answering my question he took the bags at saka una ng naglakad. Where the f**k is he taking my groceries?

"Hoy Nathan ibalik mo yan, bumili ka ng sa'yo!" sigaw ko rito habang sinusundan siya. I heard him chuckle.

"I'm taking it to the car, umuulan tapos marami kang dala. Lucky you I was also here, sumabay ka na sa'kin." I creased my forehead.

"Sinusundan mo ata ako eh?" he burst out laughing like there's no tomorrow. I wasn't joking, why was he laughing. Nakakainsulto ha.

"Don't flatter yourself Paige, I was here to buy stuff and coincidentally you're here too." I rolled my eyes at him at di na nag salita pa.

Madilim na pala, hindi ko namalayan natagalan pala ako sa pamimili and yeah I hate to admit it but he's right buti nandito siya, at least naka save pa ako ng pamasahe saka di na ako mahihirapan pa sa mga dala ko.

"Malapit na pa lang mag 7 pm, may bukas na restaurant malapit sa building ng apartment mo. Kain muna tayo doon, kanina pa ako nagugutom eh." tiningnan ko ang tinutukoy niya, ngayon ko lang 'to nakita or baka wala lang talaga akong paki sa paligid ko.

"Yeah sure, gutom na rin ako saka nakakapagod na kung magluluto pa ako."

He went straight to that place saka kami bumaba. I like the vibe of this place, hindi sobrang laki but still ang elegant pa rin tingnan the foods aren't that pricey either which makes it so much better. Even tho I'm earning quite well, I still need to save a lot.

"To be honest, ngayon ko lang nalaman na may restaurant pala dito na nag e-exist." tapos na kaming kumain at tumatambay na lang habang kag kuwe-kuwentuhan .

"I doubt you will notice, you don't look like someone who gives a damn." natatawa niyang sambit. Tangina talaga nito pero totoo din naman.

"Oo na, totoong wala akong paki sa paligid ko pero I guess it's not that bad if I start paying attention from now on." I saw how his lips curved a little.

"So I guess marami ka pang hindi napupuntahan or nalalaman na mga lugar. How about I give you a tour?" napatawa naman ako.

"Tour? Ilang years na ako dito, hindi ko kailangan ng tour."

"Yeah right, ilang years ka na nga dito pero work and apartment lang destination mo right?"

"Stalker ka ba? Ba't alam mo?" ngumiti siya while he crossed his arms at sumandal.

"I just know someone na katulad mo." I gasped and dramatically covered my mouth.

"Your girlfriend?"

"Yeah..." muntik ko pang mailuwa ang iniinom kong tubig.

"Seriously? Why are you seeing me then? Paano kung makita niya tayo? Baka iba isipin niya, ayokong mapagkamalang kabit Nathan!" agad ko namang tinakpan ng kamay ang mukha ko kasi what if nandito lang siya baka bigla akong sugurin at tapunan ng tubig. My god the drama.

Imbes na sumagot, humagalpak lang siya ng tawa dahilan para mainis ako. I glared at him and that made him stop and composed himself pero naka ngisi pa rin siya.

"Relax, I was just kidding. I don't have a girlfriend so hindi ka mapagkakamalang kabit." natatawa niya pa ring sambit. Hindi siya funny.

"Umayos ka nga, kapag nalaman kong meron pala bubugbugin kita tandaan mo 'yan!" inirapan ko siya saka uminom ulit ng tubig.

Matapos ang usapan napag desisyonan na naming umuwi, sobrang lapit lang pala talaga sa apartment ko. When we arrived he helped me bring all my stuff inside. This is the second time na naka pasok siya sa unit ko. He's the first guy actually. Kahit workmates ko hindi pa naka punta dito. Si Liz lang and now him.

Sinamahan ko siya hanggang sa parking lot.

"So, the tour? the offer's still open, would you accept it?" napailing nalang ako. Ang dami niyang alam.

"Oo na, siguraduhin mong magugustuhan ko." napa ngiti siya at nag salute.

"I know you will."

Nagpaalam na siya at sumakay sa sasakyan bago siya tuluyang umalis bumusina muna siya. I waved my hand at him saka tuluyan na siyang nawala sa paningin ko.

I hugged myself dahil sa lamig na dala ng hangin saka bumalik na sa unit.

Inalis ko sa supot ang mga pagkain at inilagay sa ref, mabuti nalang at nag grocery ako today at least I have a snack later when I'm having my movie marathon session.

I brought my popcorn and cola into the living room while setting up the movie. I always do this at night, this is my one way of relaxing saka hindi naman ako ganoong mapupuyat. On time pa rin naman ako sa work.

Nakaka ilang episodes na ako and my eyes are starting to get heavy but I'm still trying my best to fight it pero hindi ko namalayan na unti-unti na pala akong napapahiga sa sofa at tuluyan na ngang nakatulog habang bukas ang tv.

I woke up with the loud screams. Screams of agony and pain. Napabalikwas ako ng tayo, I'm at a dark room. The hell am I doing here? I ran and tried opening the door but it won't bulge. Nakaka suffocate ang liit ng kwarto and when I tried to ran again I halted when I can no longer go further. Saka ko pa na realize na naka kadena ang mga paa ko, unti-unti na akong nahihirapang huminga. f**k nightmare! How do I get out from this hell! Napaupo nalang ako habang sinasabunutan ang sarili. Why am I locked here? Why am I on chains? but instead of crying mabilis akong tumayo at sinusubukang tanggalin ang kadena, napasigaw ako sa sakit but then suddenly bigla itong naglaho at narinig kong bumukas ang pinto. What just happened? From afar I saw a light flickering, it's like calling me. Mabilis akong tumakbo at sinundan ang kinaroroonan nito when I looked back to check if nakalayo na ba ako sa kwarto, napasigaw ako ng makitang hinahabol ako ng shadow. I ran as fast as I could while he was crawling, chasing me and then I saw a hand reaching out to me. Pilit ko itong inaabot pero ang hirap. The shadow is getting closer and closer. Mas binilisan ko pa ang pag takbo and jumped as I successfully reached out to it. The moment our hands touched each other a blinding light covered the place and before waking up in reality I heard how the shadow roared angrily.

I gasped for air the moment I woke up, sweats dripping from my forehead. I bit my lower lip trying to calm myself down while I clenched my chest, ang sikip sikip parang naubusan ng hangin ang katawan ko. When I finally calmed down napahiga ako ulit sa sofa. I fell asleep here that's why the shadow got a hold unto me. Ang hirap dahil hindi ako pwede makatulog kahit saan without my dreamcatcher. I'm just in the unit at hindi malayo sa kwarto ang living room but still nanaginip pa rin ako. I need to know how to defeat this hell so I can live normally and sleep soundly anywhere I like.. I need to save myself...