The End of Daylight

Human Barriers

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"Can you bring this to Mr. Pasardan, Tammy? Sabihin mo pinabibigay ko. Ipapirma mo 'yan para maapprove na 'yung next project niyo."

"Okay sir." Tinanggap ko ang brown folder na inabot sa akin ni Sir Darwin. It contains the letter for our upcoming project, it needs approval from Mr. Pasardan at pagkatapos niyang maaprubahan ay maari na kaming magsimula.

"Give him one copy of the letter then give back to me the folder afterwards, okay?" Sir instructed.

"Yes sir." I nodded twice and showed him my sweetest smile.

"Okay you may go." Tinanguan niya ako.

Nagbow ako ng kaunti bago lumabas ng office ni Sir Darwin. Pinatawag niya ako para ipapirma ang letter ng council. He always does this, he wanted us to boost our confidence by talking to our professors and by doing things on our own.

Naglalakad ako sa second floor ng admin building, sa third floor ang office ni Sir Pasardan kaya kailangan ko pang umakyat. I was about to take the stairs but I saw Natasja walking down. We both stopped from walking when our gaze met, still surprised that we saw one another in one place. She was holding two books and I don't know what is it.

Mabilis siyang bumaba at hinarap ako. She smiled sweetly. I thought she was going to ignore me because last time I checked, she was arguing with Jieven regarding my relationship with him so it was given that she was definitely mad at me.

Nang huminto siya sa harapan ko ay bigla akong nanliit sa sarili ko. She's indeed beautiful. Her eyes were shimmering in glorious. Inayos niya ang buhok at inipit ito sa likod ng kanyang tainga bago nagsalita.

"Hey." She smiled sweetly.

I smiled awkwardly. "Hey." I didn't know to do next so I was just looking at her. Naiilang ako sa kanya. Kapag tinitignan ko kasi siya ay naaalala ko ang away nila ni Jieven. Paulit ulit kong naiisip na ako ang dahilan ng away nila.

"Do you mind if I'll ask you something?"

"I won't." Matipid kong sagot.

Napatango naman siya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman pero sa totoo lang kinakabahan ako.

"Are you dating him?" Her voice was serious, including his face.

I opened my mouth to speak but I instantly closed it afterwards when I realized that I should think carefully and be sensitive with my chosen words. Ayokong magpadalos dalos sa sinasabi ko.

"Him? Who?" I acted innocent.

Umismid siya. "We both know who the hell I'm talking about, Tammy."

Bahagya akong nagulat ng banggitin niya ang pangalan ko. Hindi kami nagpakilala sa isa't isa. Hindi ko rin sigurado kung alam ba niyang kilala ko siya.

"Spill it." I fired back.

"It's Jieven. Are you two dating?" There were a hint of rage in her voice.

The side of my lips rose and bit the insides of my cheek. Really? What is she up to?

"We're not dating, you got the wrong idea—"

"Then why are you always with him?"

"We're friends—"

"You call someone a friend who goes out with you late at night?Who will drive you home? Who contacted you almost everyday? And goes out during weekends?" Medyo tumaas ang boses niya kaya hindi ko napigilang mapataas ng kilay.

"Are you stalking him?" I fired back, a bit furious because she kept on cutting me off. Ayaw niya akong pagsalitain, paano ako magpapaliwanag? Why do I even need to explain? Oh gosh.

I suddenly felt the urge of taking back what I've said when she didn't talk for a second. I think I somewhat offended her. She just want to ask me but then, do she really need to raise her voice? I  somehow felt bad. Should I say sorry?

"Just please answer my question." She desparately said, looking mad becaused of me. Wow. Just wow.

"Why are you even asking me, Natasja? Why won't you ask Jieven instead of me? I'm out of the line. I don't want to meddle in your complicated life." As much as possible, I tried to stay calm myself, I don't want to argue with her. I am not used to arguing with someone, well, except for my sister.

Tatalikuran ko na sana siya dahil sa inis pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko kaya napatigil ako. I glanced back at her. Ayoko na sana siyang kausapin pero ayoko naman siyang bastusin. Hindi ako ganoong tao.

"Why?" I asked with brows furrowed.

"You didn't answer my question." unti unti niyang binitawan ang kamay ko.

I licked my lower lip as I puffed a breath. "Look," I caught her attention. "We're not dating and I don't have plans on dating him."

"Then why are you always with him?" She was too fast to answer me.

I clenched my fist secretly. "Is it wrong to be with him?"

Siya ang natahimik sa tanong ko, mukhang natauhan. Akala ko doon na nagtatapos ang usapan namin pero nagsalita siya ulit.

"Thank you for answering my question."

"Why do you ask me?"

I'm just curious.

Umiling siya sa akin. "I want to hear it from you. I'll get going." Mabilis siyang nawala sa harapan ko. Naiwan tuloy akong nakatulala doon at nakatayo mag-isa. Tinignan ko lang ang likuran niya hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko.

Fudge. I don't have any plans of meddling in their lives. Binigyan ko lang naman ng ice cream si Jieven pero bakit umabot sa ganito? I hate this. I hate complicated things. I hate when someone is mad at me because obviously, Natasja is mad because she thinks me and Jieven are freaking dating!

Nagpapapadyak ako bago tuluyang umakyat sa hagdan at dumiretso sa office ni Sir Pasardan. I don't know what to do anymore. Bwisit na mag-ex 'yan.

"Ma'am, nandito na po tayo."

I got back to my senses when I heard Manong Adrian's voice. I blinked twice before nodding and thanking him. I am already home but I am still thinking of Natasja. Good thing, hindi na ako kinulit ni Jieven ngayong araw.

Mabilis akong lumabas sa kotse, may pintuan sa garage kaya doon na ako pumasok. I saw Tamara in the dining area, she was busy eating her dinner. Hindi ko na siya nilapitan pa dahil nandoon naman ang Nanny niya. Our parents are still not home so I just went upstairs to take a bath.

After cleaning myself up, I found myself inside our mini library. I rarely go here but I just want a peaceful area to think and I know this will be the best place. Nakatayo ako habang pinagmamasdan ang patak ng ulan sa bintana. The library were so quiet that I could even hear the sound of the rain and geez, I think that's perfect.

I suddenly remembered what happened earlier and what happened yesterday between me and Jieven. I was obviously ignoring him and he wasn't that dumb not to notice my sudden actions. It was clear to me that I am ignoring him because of Natasja. And that lady, she was mad at me for dating his ex boyfriend. But what the freak? Hindi kami nagdadate for heaven's sake!

Am I making things complicated? I just don't want to meddle in their lives that was why I am doing this. To give Natasja a peaceful mind, I ignored Jieven. And now that I ignored Jieven, I can't help feeling guilty. Geez, I couldn't just ignore Jieven but I don't want Natasja to hate me either. Ugh, I don't know what to do anymore. This is making me insane.

Bigla nalang kumidlat kaya napaatras ako mula sa bintana, sinundan iyon ng malakas na kulog kaya tuluyan na akong tumalikod. That freaking thunder just ruined my peaceful thinking.

"Ate!"

My eyes widened when I heard Tamara's worried voice from the outside. Mabilis akong lumabas ng library and there, I saw her running in the hallway while hugging Sofia. She looked terrified, in the verge of crying. When she saw me, she immediately run towards my direction and gave me a tight hug in my thighs.

"Why? Why Tamara?" I softly removed her arms in my thights so I could face her. Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya para magpantay kami.

"Ate, I'm scared. The.. the thunder.." She wrapped her small arms around my neck, she was trembling a bit. And right at that moment I realized why was she acting this way. Shoot, I forgot her phobia.

I caressed her back to calm her. "It's okay, Tamara. I'm here, calm down." I softly said while trying to comfort her. We may fight more often but I still care for her, she is still my sister after all. But where the freak is Nanny Mildred?

"Ma'am! Ma'am hala sorry ma'am!" Kakatanong ko palang sa isip ko pero lumitaw na siya kaagad. Tumakbo siya at hinihingal na huminto sa harapan ko. "Ma'am nagrestroom lang po ako saglit, ma'am! Sorry po!" She apologized.

I smiled and nodded. I stood up while carrying Tamara in my arms, mahigpit pa rin ang yakap niya sa akin. "It's okay po. I'll bring Tamara in her room."

The next day, I got up early. I decided to eat breakfast first before taking a bath so right after I brushed my teeth I went downstairs. Nagulat ako dahil nandoon si Mommy habang pinapakain si Tamara. Hindi siya pumasok?

"Mom, Good Morning." I kissed her cheeks before I sat down parallel to her. I picked the bacon and some scrambled egg before facing my mom. "Hindi ka pupunta sa company, Mom?" I asked. She was not wearing her corporate attire kaya may hula na akong hindi siya papasok.

She shook her head. "They can work without me, Tammy. I haven't seen my daughters for a while so I cancelled all my meetings for this day." Mom smiled sweetly before wiping Tamara's mouth. Nagkalat kasi ang kanin sa mukha at damit nito.

"That's good, Mom. You also need to rest a bit." Ngumiti ako ng matamis pero alam kong hindi iyon umabot sa mata ko. I am still thinking about Jieven, pakiramadam ko ay ang laki laki ng nagawa kong kasalanan sa kanya kahit hindi naman. I puffed a deep breath as I forced myself to eat.

Mom tilted her head on the side and stared at me with crossed arms. "Are you not feeling well, anak?" She asked worriedly.

Mabilis akong nag-angat ng tingin at umiling. Geez, she noticed me. "I'm good, Mom."

Napatingin ako kay Tamara nang malaglag niya ang kutsara niya sa sahig. Mom immediately asked for another fork to the maids and then she glared at me again. "You won't get me with that fake smile of yours. What's wrong, Tammy? Tell it to Mommy." Her face softened while looking at me.

I felt my eyes burning, I haven't seen my Mom for a while, sobrang namiss ko siya.

"You can't lie to your Mom, Tammy." She scoffed before I could even answer.

I sighed heavily. "I am just bothered Mom but nothing serious, I am definitely okay." I assured her and to surprise me she nodded a bit.

"Okay anak," matapos subuan si Tamara ay tinignan niya ako. "I won't force you to speak but if you need anything just tell it to Mommy, okay?"

I nodded while chewing. Mabuti nalang at hindi na niya ako pinilit at naiintindihan niya ako. For now, I will just keep it to myself. I will sort out things on my own.

"Don't let anyone stole your happiness, anak." She mumbled and playfully winked at me.

On the following days, the athletes are now excuse for the whole day, we need to focus on training since the competition is almost near. Our coaches were also there to guide us regarding our field. Tutok na tutok sila sa amin dahil gusto nilang makaabot kami ng regionals. I am also excuse in the council and in class but I'm pretty sure that after this, I will struggle passing and creating certain reports that I've missed while in game, babawi nalang din ako sa council pagkatapos.

I was talking to my team mates regarding the upcoming competition when someone suddenly grabbed my arm. Nagtaka ako ng makita ang hinihingal na mukha ni Pia, one of my classmates.

"Why? What happened?" Kahit wala pa siyang sinasabi ay kinakabahan na ako. She won't just grabbed me like that, alam kong may problema.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago sumigaw. "Si Claudine, nahulog sa hagdan!"

"What?" I hissed.

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maaawa sa nangyari kay Claudine. Mabilis akong nagpasalamat kay Pia at basta nalang hinila si Maegan na nagpapahinga sa isang gilid.

"Bakit ka ba nanghihila?" Iritadong tanong niya sa akin pero hindi siya nagprotesta.

"Claudine fell." I answered without looking at her. I was too focused and confused what the freak happened to Claudine.

"Saan? Sa tao? Sa building? Sa hagdan? Sa upuan? Saan?" Walang kwentang tanong niya.

"Third one."

Napaisip siya saglit kung ano 'yung pangatlo niyang sinabi. When she realized it, she burst out laughing. We stopped in the middle of walking because she can't stop laughing.

"Boba talaga 'yon." She exclaimed then laughed again. As much as I wanted to slap her face I refrain myself from doing it. Basta ko nalang siyang hinila ulit papunta sa clinic na nasa first floor ng Med Building.

"Oh, sinong gaga ang nalaglag sa hagdan? Si Claudine!"

Napangiwi ako ng iyon kaagad ang pambungad ni Maegan ng makapasok kami sa kwarto kung nasaan si Claudine. I pinched her arm secretly and she whimpered in pain.

May mga nakahilerang kama sa clinic pero si Claudine lang ang pasyente. Kendra was also there, she was combing her precious hair while sitting pretty in the vacant bed beside Claudine's.

"Oh buti nalang you're here na guys." Kendra noticed us.

Nakahiga si Claudine sa kama, masama ang tingin kay Maegan na tinatawanan pa rin siya. I pinched Maegan's arm again so she could stop from laughing but she didn't. Napansin ko naman ang sugat ni Claudine sa braso na may band aid na ngayon kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

"What the hell happened to you?" I asked her confusedly. Umupo ako sa monoblock chair na nasa gilid at humalukipkip.

"I was running in the stairs because I have to submit my report before the deadline but unfortunately, nalaglag ako." Tinawanan niya pa ang sarili niya.

"Oh masaya ka pa n'yan?" Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Maegan bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Claudine.

"Buti gasgas lang ang nakuha mo—"

"At hindi ka namatay." Maegan cut me off. Sa inis ko ay hinampas ko siya sa braso kaya napaigik siya.

"You know guys," Claudine smiled at us. "If I die, don't you cry, just look at the sky and say hatdog." She even looked up at the ceiling and smiled like an idiot imagining something.

"Gago." Pagmumura ni Maegan.

"You need to drink some holy water, Maegan. Your mouth is such a bitch." I exclaimed. Wala atang araw na hindi ko siya narinig na nagmura.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Walang kwentang pagkanta niya.

"So how are you feeling now?" Tumayo ako para tignan ang sugat ni Claudine. "Can you walk?" I looked at her thighs down to her foot.

"Oo naman!" She exclaimed. "Medyo masakit lang balakang ko. Mga walong baitang din 'yun ah, dire-diretso ako, walang stop over." She tsked.

Muli na namang humalakhak si Maegan kaya pinalabas ko na siya ng kwarto pero matapang siyang umiling. Nakuha pang tumawa, kawawa na nga si Claudine, siraulo talaga.

"Oh my gosh!"

All of us glared at Kendra when she yelled. She's holding her phone, looking at it as if she saw something horrible.

"Oh my gosh!" Mas lumakas ang sigaw niya kaya nagtaka na kami. Kinakabahan na kaming tatlo dahil sa inaasal niya.

"Why? What happened?" I was about to walk towards her but I paused when I heard her reason.

"My phone is dead! Oh my gosh!" She showed us her phone.

My jaw literally dropped. Sumisigaw siya dahil lang lowbat siya?

"This is so nakakaloka! Hindi ko pa narereplyan 'yung chatmate ko sa ig then biglang nadead siya. Oh my gosh! I badly need my charger!" She marched back and forth, panicking. Napapikit ako sa inis at hinilot ang sentido ko.

Napadilat lang ako nang marinig ko ang mabibigat na hakbang ni Maegan. I blocked her way when she was ready to hit Kendra.

"Isa lang, sige na, isang sampal lang oh." Pagbibiro ni Maegan na may halong inis. I know she can't do that, she might be hot tempered but she won't dare to hurt us physically.

The training continues. Wala atang araw na hindi kami pagod. Training kung training ang ginawa sa amin but of course, bumabawi sila at binibigyan kami ng mahabang oras na pahinga.

"Chocolate oh." Inabutan ako ni Daryl ng cloud 9 nang minsang makita akong mag-isang nagpapahinga sa bleachers.

I shrugged and thanked him afterwards. He sat beside me and started to talked about random things. "Sasali ka pa rin ba sa team next year?" He asked me out of the blue, he was chewing his own cloud 9.

"Yeah, sa fourth year nalang siguro ako hihinto. You know, on the job training, hindi ko na kayang pagsabayin. I need to focus." I answered. Matagal ko ng napag-isipan ang bagay na 'to, kaya mabilis ko nalang siyang nasagot. Next year, I won't run as a council anymore but I will stay as an athlete.

Napasimangot siya kaya natawa ako. "Mawawalan kami ng isang magaling na player ah."

"Galing mo mambola, magaling ka siguro gumawa ng siopao." I joked.

He laughed when he got my joke. I just chuckled and opened the Cloud 9 that he gave me, I don't want to eat chocolates but I need to chew something.

After a moment, Daryl bid his goodbye. I just smiled and waved my hand. I wanted to refresh my mind while we are on break but my friends suddenly popped up in front of me like a freaking mushroom. Tinabihan nila ako. Paika ika ang lakad ni Claudine pero atleast nakakapaglakad siya.

"Para kang nadisvirgin," bulong ni Maegan sa kanya na nakaupo sa tabi ko.

"Hindi naman na ako virgin, duh."

"What?" I hissed. Anong kalokohan ang sinasabi niya?

"Joke!" She exclaimed. "Joke lang! Naniwala ka naman! Ikaw pa naman inaasahan kong magtatanggol sa akin!" She slapped my arm.

"Hey look at them," Kendra pointed out the Volleyball Boys across us. I don't know what's happening but I think they are somewhat fighting. Dalawang grupo ang nagkumpulan. Pumagitna si Jieven at seryoso ang mukha na nakatingin sa dalawang lalaki na inawat ng mga kasamahan nila.

I don't know what he was saying but I'm pretty sure he was is mad based on his facial expression. Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay tuwang tuwa pa si Hero sa nakikita niya.

"Walang captain ang volleyball boys right?" Claudine started throwing questions.

Lahat kami ay nakatingin lang sa nangyayari hindi kalayuan sa pwesto namin. Tanghaling tapat pero nag-aaway sila, anong problema nila?

"Wala pero para sa akin si Jieven ang captain." Sagot ni Maegan.

"Me too!" Kendra agreed.

"Bakit walang captain?" Claudine asked curiously. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa kanila at palipat lipat ang tingin.

"Sabi ni coach sa amin equal daw ang lahat para walang superiority pero may kanya kanya sila posisyon gaya ng spiker o hitter, blocker, setter, at libero, depende kung outside ka o middle."

"Ano? Hitler? Wala akong naintindihan sa sinabi mo." Claudine frustratedly pouted.

"Taena mo pinag-explain mo pa akong hayup ka," pagmumura ni Maegan.

"I think they are okay na guys." Kendra interfered again. We glanced at the volleyball team and I think they already settled the fight but Jieven is still there, standing while both of his arms were are resting on his waist, looking frustrated and tired. I felt the urge of giving him some water but I washed away that thought.

The next day, umulan ng malakas umaga pa lang kaya hindi kami nakapagtraining. Nakaupo lang lahat ng athletes sa bleachers habang may kanya kanyang mundo, still waiting for the rain to stop. The bleachers are also covered kaya hindi kami nababasa.

As much as I wanted to chitchat with them, I need to do something more productive. I sat on the middle part of the bleachers wherein no one can disturb me. I pulled out Claudine's notebook and start reading her notes. Binasa ko ang mga lessons nila noong wala ako. I want to do this at least twice a week para hindi na ako mahirapan humabol sa klase kapag natapos ang division.

My forehead creased when I felt something strange. I glanced at my right side and I was surprise to see Jieven sitting 10 chairs away from my position. He was busy playing his ball. Binabato niya ito sa ere saka niya sasaluhin. I just shrugged and continued reading.

Hindi ako mapakali kaya mabilis ulit akong napalingon sa kanya matapos ang limang minuto. I was shookt when I saw him nearer to me now. Anim na upuan nalang siguro ang layo namin sa isa't isa. Nilalaro pa rin niya ang bola niya habang nakatingin sa madilim na kalangitan. I shook my head and tried my best to concentrate.

I am feeling a bit uncomfatable so I glanced back at him after three minutes. I almost had an heart attack when I saw him beside me.

"What the?" I glared at him.

He looked at me and smiled awkwardly. "Hey," Bati niya na parang walang nangyari. This guy, hindi ko akalaing may ganoong galwan din pala siya.

Napasapo ako sa ulo ko at marahan itong minasahe bago siya hinarap. "I never thought you'd be this playful, Jieven." I tsked, looking a bit amused and disappointed.

But instead of answering, he pointed the notebook placed above my legs. "Why are you reviewing your notes in this kind of situation?" He curiously asked.

"This aren't my notes, it's Claudine's." I simply answered. Bigla ko tuloy naalala 'yung panahon kung saan pinilit ko si Claudine na magtake down notes. Hindi niya ugaling magsulat pero dahil pinilit ko siya ay nagsulat siya para sa akin.

"Okay?" That is more likely a question. "But still, how can you study in this kind of situation? You can probably do that in your house." He said, his eyes pierced to mine. Those hazelnut eyes were so much fetching.

"I want to sleep straight when I got home. I don't have time to study because I badly needed a lot of sleep after the long training." I answered truthfully. Tahimik lang naman siyang nakikinig sa mga sagot ko and I think that's a good thing.

"You can use the library." He shrugged and acted innocent as if he doesn't counter attacked my statement.

I gritted my teeth. Andami niyang naibabato sa aking option, nauubusan na ako ng dahilan. Gusto ko lang namang mareview, what's wrong with it? Mukha na ba akong pabibo?

"I have no time." I answered without looking at him.

"You're obviously excused from school stuffs, you can do that after the division, Tammy." He tsked.

I glared at him, looking annoyed now. The side of his lips rose when he saw my reaction. "I just want to study, Jieven. Why are you so grumpy?" I shot up a brow.

He laughed a bit. "Because you're torturing yourself."

"And so?" Pagsusungit ko.

He eyed from head to toe then his eyes landed on my face, he studied it intently as if I was a new specie, he  then leaned closer to me so I blinked twice. "Your body is tired and now, your planning to drain your brain too? Really, Tammy?" He scoffed.

I rolled my eyes when I got his point. Fine, may point siya pero gusto ko lang naman magbasa para hindi na ako mahirapan humabol kapag bumalik na ako sa klase. Geez.

"Fine fine." I closed Claudine's notebook and glared at him, looking furious. I crossed my arms over my chest. "You win." I mumbled and rolled my eyes.

I was about to leave when he reached for my arm. Wala sa sariling nagsimulang kumabog ang puso ko nang magdikit ang balat namin kaya bigla tuloy akong napatingin sa kanya.

"Coffee?"

I don't know what happened but I just found myself walking with him towards the cafeteria. He left his ball to his teamates while I am still holding Claudine's notebook, slightly playing with it. No one dared to talk and the silence between us was too defeaning.

Sa Faculty and Administration na kami naglakad dahil ito ang shortcut papunta sa cafeteria kapag galing ka sa open field. The rain is still pouring really hard, making the athmospere cold and windy.

"We're good, are we?" Jieven suddenly asked while walking, ang dalawang kamay niya ay nasa kanyang likuran. Para siyang naglalakad na prinsipe.

"Yeah." I nodded. "Anyway," I cleared my throat when I remembered something. "Natasja and I talked last week." Panimula ko. I don't want to brag this to him pero pakiramdam ko may karapatan siyang malaman.

"What? What did she say?" He looked worried.

"Well," I bit my lower lip, thinking the right words to say. Baka mabigla ako tapos may masama akong masabi tungkol kay Natasja. I don't want to ruin her image to her ex boyfriend. "She just asked me if we're dating."

"What did you say?" He asked too fast. Parang nagmamadali at hindi makapaghintay sa susunod kong sasabihin.

"I told her that we're friends." I shrugged.

Natahimik siya sandali kaya nilingon ko siya. The side of his lips rose, he then licked his lower lip before looking at me.

"Are we?" He smirked meaningfully.

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko. Double meaning ba 'yon? "I don't know if that was a good question or not. Are you trying to offend me by saying that we're not friends or you mean something deeper?" I frowned.

Natauhan ako bigla. Parang may mali sa sinabi ko sa dulo pero hindi ko alam kung ano. It sounded somewhat romantic. I don't know. May mali ba sa tanong ko?

He played with the insides of his cheek using his tounge while looking at me. Tinignan niya ako na parang nang-aasar. I nudged him out of consciousness and rolled my eyes before looking away. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. Hindi ko siya maintindihan.

"Don't mind her, Tammy. She won't harm you anyway." He then spoke, he crossed his arms over his chest, looking serious now.

"How can I? She keeps on bothering me." I sighed. Nagulo na ang buhay ko simula noong binigyan ko siya ng ice cream. Geez. Was that a good thing or not?

"And how did you even know that she won't harm me? Pakiramdam ko kaya niya akong saktan—"

"I won't let that happen." He cut me off.

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. He let out a small smile before tapping my shoulder twice. And that was when I thought that I am holding my breath for too long. I sighed in disbelief and looked away afterwards.

"Tammy."

Sabay kaming napahinto ni Jieven dahil sa narinig namin. I was stunned by that voice. And my eyes slowly widened when I realized who owned that hell serious voice. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Alam na alam ko ang boses na 'yon.

Dahan dahan akong lumingon at tama nga ang hinala ko. I starting to feel the fast beating of my heart. I unconciously looked at Jieven who also turned his back to see who called my name.

I looked at the man in front of us, looking dead serious while glaring at us.

"Daddy.." I mumbled in fear.

—