Dark Phoenix #2: Echoes Of Lies

CHAPTER 17

Chapter 17

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at nagtatakbo sa banyo para doon sumuka. Hapdi sa sikmura at lalamunan ang nagpahina sa akin.

Why am I vomiting like I was drunk and had my hangover when in fact I didn't even drink a little alcohol last night. Aside that it's not aloud I was busy partying with Laurence... Bigla akong nanlamig at parang binuhusan ng ice bucket sa sobrang panlalamig ko. I wasn't in my room...this is...this is... A stranger's room! The toilet where I just vomited isn't mine. Tumayo ako kahit nanghihina pa para tingnan ang kinalalagyan ko.

The room was painted in white, the bed where I was lying awhile ago is white. There's a small cabinet on the left side and a bedside table on the right side of the unfamiliar bed. My bag was resting above the table. Nagtatakbo akong muli pabalik sa banyo para maghilamos at ang dulo na ng shirt ko ang pinamunas ko sa basang mukha. Kinuha ko ang bag ko at kinalkal ang laman. My phone was there, my wallet and my ballpen. My things are complete inside my bag. I look at my clothes and I felt relieved when I saw that it is the same clothes I have last night. Blue striped shirt ang black jeans, suot ko pa rin ang itim kong sneakers.

Magaan at maliliit lamang ang hakbang na ginagawa ko palapit sa pinto. Pikit mata kong pinihit pabukas ang doorknob and sighed when the door opened after I pulled it.

"Oh God!" I gasped, where am I?

Tahimik ang hallway na dinadaanan ko. Galing ako sa pinakahuling kwarto at sa paglakad ko ay ilang pinto na ang nalampasan ko bago narating ang hagdan. Umatras pa ako dahil mahaba ang hagdan, it is spiraled and I can't see what's happening downstairs. I'm just hearing noises but I can't see who're making those sounds... o kung sino ang mga nagsasalitang iyon. Takot ang bumalot sa akin dahil sa mga hakbang na naririnig ko paakyat, palapit sa kinatatayuan ko. I readied myself sa kung ano man ang mangyayari and was shocked by the familiar built of an old man standing in front of me.

Mr. Rodriguez was standing in front of me with his cold and void of any emotions eyes but I felt safe while I stared back at him... Weird, right? It feels like he will never, as in ever, gonna do anything that will harm or will put me in danger. Even though he's cold and scary, the way he watched me, he has soft eyes now. It soften the time he look at my stone like body.

"S-sir," bati ko at lumapit sa kaniya

"Glad you're awake. You're just on time, come join me on my breakfast." his hand gestured me downstairs. I shook my head.

"I want to but...but I really need to go home now. My friends might be looking for me now." and that made me think.

"Why...why am I here, po? How did you find me?"

The old man cleared his throat and fixed his next time, unbuttoned his cuffs before he look at me.

"I was just passing by and I never thought to saw you lying on the street. Cold and not breathing. I have you checked and my doctor said you was under the influence of drugs last night."

Nanlaki ang mata ko at nagsimulang mangatal ang katawan.

"Did you vomit after you woke up?" I nodded my head absentmindedly

"The doctor said that it's normal after taking the drug you've took last night."

Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin ako Kay Mr. Rodriguez na ngayon at nakatayo na sa harapan ko.

"I was... I did not take anything last night! And I will never ever take a drug not even touch it!" I shouted and turned my back from Mr. Rodriguez.

Why would he even think that I take anything last night? Do I look like an addict?! I am not an addict! I won't try dealing with those because I'm no user.