SHANTAL POV
Narinig ko. Bawat salita. Bawat insulto.
The way her tone dripped with disgust—like I wasn’t even worth breathing the same air.
Kung paanong binasag niya ako gamit lang ang dila niya.
Masakit.
I just stood there—frozen. Walang laban. Walang salita.
Kuya… he was right there. He saw everything.
I looked at him, silently begging. Say something. Please.
But he didn’t. He just stood still. Silent. Torn. Watching.
Ayokong umiyak sa harap nila. Ayokong makita nilang nanalo siya.
Kaya tumalikod ako.
I walked out of that house like I wasn’t just kicked in the chest.
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I didn’t even know where I was going. Basta naglakad lang ako—mabilis sa simula, pero bumagal din kalaunan.
Hanggang sa mapadpad ako sa harap ng isang sari-sari store.
Bumili ako ng malamig na inumin—anyth
