"Tyson are you there?" 

I heard my mom call my name while knocking on my room's door. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nanatiling tulala lamang sa kisame.

"I cooked your favorite, anak. Come down when you're hungry, okay?"

I heard her sigh, and I knew she was disappointed.

Akala ko ay aalis na siya ngunit muli siyang nagsalita."Look, Tyson, I know it's hard, but if you need someone, I'm always here for you, okay? We'll get through this together."

My hands clenched into fists, and I tightly shut my eyes.

It had been a month since my father died, killed right in front of me. I witnessed the man responsible taking my father's life with my own eyes. And even now, that memory haunted me.

I hated it. I hated myself for being unable to do anything to save him. My hands trembled as those memories flooded back.

I vowed to find that man. Ako mismo ang papatay sa kaniya. . .

My father was a good man. Though we had our conflicts, he was never the type to offend anyone. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nila ginawa iyon sa kaniya at kung anong kailangan nila sa ama ko para gawin iyon. 

Seeing my father die, bathed in his own blood, pained me every time I recalled that moment.

Malinaw parin sa akin ang lahat ng nasaksihan ko. Matalim kong tinitigan ang wanted poster na nasa kwarto ko. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi parin nila ito natutunton.

Hindi na ako makapaghihintay pa doon. I will avenge my father's death myself. Hindi sapat na makulong lang ang mga taong kagaya niya.

I will kill him with my own hands, I will kill him slowly and ruthlessly until he begs me to just take his useless life away from him.

I closed my eyes tightly on that thought.

I massaged my temples, feeling the tension in my senses. Since my father's death, I had spent all my time tracking down that man, searching for leads. I couldn't afford to waste my time idling around.

I let out a harsh breath.

Gradually, my eyelids grew heavy, a result of sleep deprivation. Finally, the darkness enveloped me, and I succumbed to sleep.

***

Nang magising ako ay madilim na ang kalangitan. I heaved a deep heavy sigh. 

Sa isang buwan ay paulit ulit ng ganito, parang paikot ikot lang at walang patutunguhan ang buhay ko. Tumayo na ako sa kama saka kinuha ang itim na hoodie na nakasampay sa upuan malapit sa pintuan. 

As I entered the living room, I found my mom sleeping on the couch with the television still on.

I sighed and carefully carried her back to the guest room. She no longer wanted to sleep in their room after what happened. I gazed at her saddened face. She was still devastated by the loss.

Alam kong kagaya ko ay nahihirapan din siyang mag adjust, ngayong wala na si Dad.

"I will give Dad justice, I promise."

I whispered, gently kissing her forehead after fixing the blanket. Without making a sound, I left the room.

I managed to leave our house.

This had become my daily routine since my father's death. I would leave the house late at night and head to a bar.

Kahit 16 pa lang ako at under age pa ay nagagawa kong makapasok sa loob dahil sa pekeng ID at hindi rin halatang wala pa ako sa tamang gulang upang magpunta sa mga ganitog lugar.

Naglalakad lakad na ako ngayon para sana magpunta sa bar na madalas kong puntahan. Pero sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad ay nakuha ng pansin ko ang  ingay na maririnig sa playground ng subdivision kung saan kami nakatira.

"Weeeiiii!"

Nag salubong ang kilay ko nang makarinig ng boses ng isang batang babae mula roon. My eyes widened as my heart started to pound rapidly. 

A ghost?

Bahagyang nanayo ang balahibo ko roon. Goosebumps crept over my body. Slowly, I peered at the playground to confirm.

To my surprise, I saw a little girl, probably around 6 or 7 years old, playing alone. The surroundings were well-lit due to the streetlights, so even at this late hour, I could see her clearly.

She looked incredibly happy, playing on the playground. Nakasuot pa ito ng pantulog na may hello kitty print pa. Why is this little child in here? Playing alone late at night? Umupo ako sa swing sa tabi nya na mukang ikinagulat nito. 

Nanlaki ang mga mata niyang para bang takot na takot at dumistansya. My forehead creased at her reaction.

"Why?" I asked, ngayon ko lang napagmasdang maigi ang kabuuan ng mukha nito. She has brown hair na may hindi pantay na bangs pa. She has cute, chubby pinkish cheeks, cute button nose, and those pair of innocent beautiful hazel eyes that you could compare to the stars based on how bright it shines. 

She looks like a doll. 

I had once told my parents I wanted a little sister, but sadly, they couldn't have any more children.

"My parents said don't talk to strangers." 

She pouted and stopped swinging, taking a few steps back while still on the swing, rising on her tiptoes. She giggled, finding it amusing.

Napatingala ako sa kalangitang puno ng bituing kasama ng maliwanag na sikat ng buwan.

"But you're already talking to me."

I said then shrugged. Medyo natigilan pa ito at napaisip sandali sa sinabi ko.

"Instead of walking backward, do this instead."

I told her then instructed what to do. Itinaas ko ang aking paa saka ibinaba. Inosenteng ginaya niya iyon saka nanlaki ang mga matang natuwa nang mapagtantong dumuduyan na siya ng mag isa.

Nailing na lamang ako.

"This is a lot more fun!"

She laughed heartily.

Safe naman dito sa subdivision, ngunit madaling araw na, baka hinahanap na ito ng mga magulang niya.

"Why are you here?You should be at home sleeping. Hindi ka na lalaki niyan."

I commented, making the little girl pout.

"I always see this playground from my room. I've never experienced playing outside since my parents won't let me."

She blurted out in a sad tone. Nangunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"Why? Are you sick?"

I asked, the kid just shrugged her shoulders.

"No I'm not. I'm healthy kaya po!" She said in a hyper manner and showed me her imaginary muscles.

"I don't know din pewo, basta bawal daw akong lumabas eh."

Simpleng sagot niya habang idinuduyan ang sarili saka tumingin din sa taas. I saw how her Innocent eyes glimmered with delight as she saw the stars.

A part of my heart melted, witnessing her smile. How wonderful it must be to be a child, to easily find joy and laughter even with the smallest reasons.

"Wow!Ang daming stars!"

Todo ngiting sabi nito saka ibinaling ang tingin sa akin. Tipid na napangiti ako doon.

"You should go home. Ihahatid na kita."

Sambit kong nagpatigil dito.

"But my parents told me not to go with strangers."

She pouted.

"Well that's true."

I said then took my phone out.

"Do you know your parents' names so I can ask the security to call them?"

I asked, but she shook her head, making me sigh. Perhaps I should just ask the security to contact every household in case there were missing children.

"Okay, I'll stay here with you until your parents arrive."

I assured her, making her smile widely.

"Really?! Will you play with me then?"

She giggled, causing me to hesitate.

"Well, uhh. . . sure."

I sighed.

I informed the security about the situation and played with her for a while. Baka kasi kapag iniwan ko lang ito dito ay kung saan siya magpunta.

"Miss! Ay naku andito lang pala kayo! Kanina pa kayo hinahanap ng mommy at daddy ninyo!"

Hingal na hingal na sabi ng isang babaeng paparating. Mukhang ito ang nanny ng bata.

Ngumuso ang batang babae saka umiling sa yaya nya.

"Wait lang po."

Sabi niya saka tumingin sa akin. Ngumiti ito ng matamis saka tumingkayad at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

"Bye bye po kuya! thank you for playing with me. Wag ka na po sad ha, smile lang po palagi para pogi ikaw!"

Masayang saad niya saka tuluyan ng sumama sa yaya niya. Ako naman ay naiwang nakatulala pa rin. I blinked multiple times then unconsciously, a smile escaped from my lips. 

Muli akong napatingin sa kalangitan. The moon is shining really bright tonight and it seems just like how a moon brings light into the dark night sky, it felt as though that little girl had brought light back into my life. . .