This is the day.

The day where I can have a chance to meet people.

When I was a child, kahit pumunta Lang sa bakuran ayaw ni papa. I was 6 years old on that time where my mom died and Hindi sinabi ni papa Kung anong reason.

I am not a normal kid, that's what they said. Also, I am an only child.

Kung minsan pa I tried to socialized but ayaw din ng tao sakin, even animals. Kaya ang saya ko nung binigay sakin ni papa si Live (pronounced as Li-vey), Isa siyang tiger... A white tiger with red eyes. Napaka unique na klase Ng animal. I thought he would harm me but not.

Lumipas pa ang maraming taon, and still my papa won't let me go out. I really wanna make some friends and feel like I'm not alone and be like a normal kid but still, I have to obey what my papa said.

Parents are parents.

Ginagawa nila Ang isang bagay for our own good kaya kahit nakakainis at nakakatampo.

I can't disobey my papa.

I also don't experience going to school. Meron akong home class, may friend si papa na teacher and siya ung nagtuturo sakin ever since.

Asking, Kung saan kami nakatira?

Well apparently, I don't know either Kasi nga simula nung ipanganak ako Hindi Naman nako nakalabas Ng bahay. But honestly, I tried na tumakas just to break my curiosity.

Kaso failed padin dahil iba talaga si papa. Because of that, he punished me.

Kinulong niya ko sa basement together with Live para Naman Hindi daw ako maboring pero nagtatampo talaga ako sa kanya, until now.

"Why won't you let me go outside?!," Sinigaw ko Kay papa and I can see that he didn't like what I said so he answered "You'll know someday".

Really? Yan Lang sinabi niya. Kaya you can't blame me for being this rude to my papa but still I'm obeying him because as I've said, he is my father. But sometimes, napaisip ako na minsan try to hear your child's voice and side naman hindi yung laging parents Yung masusunod.

Kaso Wala akong nagawa Kasi papa is so scary, mas nakakatakot pa siya sa demonyo. Once your eyes and his eyes met, manginginig ka sa takot. That's how terrifying my father is.

We have the same eye color. He told me before na face ang nakuha ko sa mama ko, I can't recall her face Kasi masyado pakong bata nun but when it comes to her voice, Ang sarap pakinggan ng boses ng mama ko.

Napakalamig ng boses...

.

So now, na nasa right age na ako. I wish papa will not broke his promise na papayagan Niya nakong lumabas ng bahay.

We made a promise Kasi before nung 13 years old ako.

"Let's make an agreement because, papa you have to hear my side too," we are having dinner that time. Alam niyo ba na dalawa Lang kami na nagdi dinner pero magkalayong dulo kami ng lamesa.

That's how advance social distancing between us.

"Go ahead"

Nung sinabi ni papa Yan, nagkaroon ako ng slight chance na pwede akong payagan ni papa kaya may saya kahit papano na naramdaman ko.

Finally, pag nasabi mo'to Maxine, it will change your life.

"If I reach the legal age, I want you to let me go outside and not bother me anymore. Let me learn how to live by myself. And let me experience a lot of things that I never experience nung bata pa ako. Ayokong mahuli sa iba papa," I can feel na he didn't like what I said, nanaman. But...

"Okay..."

Is this really true??? I don't know Kung pumayag ba siya or Hindi. Ang hirap talaga kausap ng papa ko.

"Ako na bahala sa titirahan mo and will have you some things na need talaga but after that, okay I won't bother you anymore if that's what you want," I don't know Kung anong mararamdaman ko that time but Ang saya, grabe.

"But Maxine---" and then suddenly eto na nga. I don't know if he is joking or not pero ang spooky.

"If you experience something unusual by that time, tell me."

What does he mean?

"Po?" Then bigla siyang tumayo sa kinauupuan Niya.

"I'm done eating, go to bed early."

May tatanungin pa Sana ako Kay papa nun but nawala siya na parang bula.

You know what, after that agreement. Hindi ko na makausap ng maayos si papa. Nakokonsensya ako pero I don't know.

I don't know what will happen next.

Nung 17 years old nako, umikot ikot ako sa loob Ng bahay.

By the way, our house is big. It's a mansion I guess. Black and red themed. We had chandelier sa Sala and dining area. Even sa pagpasok,ung entrance door sa house anlaki. It's a dream house by every individual but ang lungkot Ng atmosphere Kasi halos dalawa Lang kami ni papa na andun. Bukod sa Maids and guards wala padin. Feeling ko nga mag Isa padin ako eh Kasi lagi namang busy si papa sa work niya. Even work niya hindi ko alam.

One time, I tried to go to Papa's office para makipag bonding but sa laki Ng office Niya Wala dun si papa.

Umupo ako dun sa may upuan malapit sa table Niya. And then I'm shocked Ng biglang umopen ung laptop magisa.

I accidentally saw it.

Andaming pangalan na nakalagay, even pictures or personal information andun.

I don't know what's going on.

I tried to look for my information but I can't see it. And then suddenly papa came.

"What are you doing here?" Hindi ko na Alam gagawin ko lalo na Nung papalapit na si papa sakin.

"I was just trying to look for you but you are not here that's why I tried to sit here and then your laptop automatically opened and I accidentally see what's inside of it, I'm sorry papa..." But he didn't answer.

One more step para makalapit si papa sakin, bigla siyang napaluhod at napahawak sa ulo niya. That's why I rapidly go to him to check him.

"Papa!"

"This is nothing" and then I don't know Kung namalikmata Lang ako but I saw some chip in his palm and it has a number on it.

It's like a date or time.

But papa managed na takpan Yun kaya Hindi ko talaga nakita masyado.

.

Dinala ko si papa sa upuan Niya.

"Papa, if you don't mind. Para saan ung information sa laptop mo?", Silence ins for seconds muna bago nakasagot si papa.

 

"I'm collecting some information Kasi Yun Yung trabaho ko"

"And then?what will happen sa information nila?"

"You'll know someday." Nung sinabi nanaman ni papa yun. May galit nanaman na nabuo sa puso ko. Para bang may tinatago siya sakin.

"Why do you always say that?! Hindi po ba pwedeng may malaman Naman ako kahit papano sa papa ko?! Papa, I'm grown up already pero ganyan ka padin, what's happening?!" Pero papa keep his mouth shut. That's why I burst into tears dahil nadin sa galit.

Then suddenly, papa hugged me.

"I'm sorry I just want to keep you safe."

SAFE?! Safe from what? I don't understand. Nahihirapan nako pero hanggang ngayon Wala talagang sinasabi si papa sakin. Kaya ngayon before I leave, I asked him about the number thingy in his palm and the chip.

"What does the chip and the number thingy mean in your palm?"

"It's Death counts"

Huh??? 

"Just like...you'll know when will you die?" He nodded. And then I forced to see it again but I'm shocked Kasi Hindi nayun gumagalaw. Unlike before.

"Stop starring. Promise me that you'll take care of yourself." I nodded. After that I don't know Kung saan na aabot ung curiosity ko sa dami Ng tanong na meron ako na Hindi pa nakukuha UNG sagot.

Papalabas palang ako ng bahay. Nasilaw nako sa liwanag Ng araw. It's like killing me. But then, namangha ako sa paligid. At first I thought I’m living in a haunted house but then when I saw outside, puro green nakita ko. 

Napakaganda.

Para akong taong kweba.

Meron akong sariling sasakyan nung aalis Nako sa bahay. Papa bought it for me. It's a Black Mercedes Benz.

I'm hoping na maganda din UNG bahay na titirahan ko. Papa also gave me the address. These is how much my papa loved me.

I leaved the house together with Live. I just don't know if it's legal to put a tiger in a car when I go to the city. Baka unang labas ko makulong agad ako, wag Naman sana.

Also, I already found a university para pasukan ko Kasi papa told me na college nako niyan. Pero, I don't know what does that mean but aalamin ko nalang.

Now that I'm free, what will I do next?

What will happen now? Magiging normal na kaya buhay ko? Lalo na't Malaya nakong gawin kung anong gusto ko?

I told myself habang nagdadrive together with my one and only love Live. Ang ganda ng paligid.

Nang buksan ko ang bintana, ngayon ko lang nalasap ang tunay na simoy ng hangin. Ngayon lang nahahawakan ng balat ko ang init ng araw. Napakasaya talaga.

Lumipas ang ilang oras at nasa city nako. Grabe andaming tao. And traffic...

May mga nakikita akong street vendors. Asking kung pano ko nalaman ung mga ganito? It's because I'm still studying kahit nasa bahay lang ako, for me to become prepared pag dumating ung time na lalabas nako and now it's happening.

Grabe, feeling ko para akong taong kweba talaga. Mukhang mahaba-habang pag-aaral ang gugugulin ko nito ah.

Jusko!

Bigla kong naalala si Live.

Tinakpan ko siya ng black na blanket pero pilit padin siyang sumisilip. Ang hirap kaya magtago ng ganito kalaking wild animal sa kotse. But then, after a minute nakatulog din si Live kaya safe kami na nakapunta doon sa bahay na binili ni papa for me.

OMG! Anlaki ng bahay but I really appreciate it. Kaso medyo malayo sa city. May mga guard sa labas pero buti sa loob walang maid. Kaya hindi nadin ako magtatampo kay papa.

Thank you, papa.

Sobrang excited ako na pumasok sa bahay. Hindi tulad ni Live, halatang hindi pa siya satisfied sa tulog niya kanina hahahha...

Merong isang room sa first floor. I guess, guest room. Tama! Para in case I have friends na then we planned to have overnight, I will request to stay in our house and then we will have fun in here, OMG! Exciting.

Anlaki ng sofa even the television and the refrigerator. By the way kaya mas gusto kodin na lumabas because of what I watched in the television. Nagging addict ngako while watching eh. Hindi mo naman masisisi dahil hindi pa talaga ako nakakalabas. Nawalan ako ng childhood eh that's why ibabawi ko sa teenage life ko for 2 years. Punong-puno laman ng fridge.

When I go upstairs, I saw 3 rooms. Isa para kay Live, one for me and then locked room. Ewan ko bakit locked yun. Wala namang nabanggit si papa about dun also unexpected din naman tong house eh, hindi kodin inaasahan. Pinapasok ko na si Live sa room niya and hindi nako masu- surprise na excited siyang pumunta sa bed niya. Nung lumaki talaga ng husto si Live lagi nalang siyang tulog at hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pero dun siya masaya kaya support ko nalang, basta hindi niya ako iiwan. Nang pumasok ako sa kwarto ko, OMG! AGAIN... kasi ang ganda. Pero kulay itim padin at pula ang main theme. Nakakasawa na. kaya mamaya lalabas ako at bibili ng paint para baguhin ang kulay ng bahay. Konting search lang naman eh and malalaman ko na. Grabe, para akong prinsesa. AY MALI!

Para akong queen ng isang castle. Asking about the King? Well, wala sa isip ko yan eh. Sakit lang kasi ang dulot kapag nagmahal. Also, sanay din naman akong mag-isa eh kaya impossible yan for me. Hehe.

.

.

"Live dito ka lang ah, I'll be going outside muna, behave ah," sinabihan ko si Live, ang weird pero feeling ko naiintindihan ako ng pet ko. Kaya walang worries lagi pag kasama ko siya.

I know that it's hard to adjust in this kind of atmosphere and situation Maxine but promise malalagpasan modin ang mga 'to.

I'm wearing a white long sleeve, a black jumper, black shorts and white shoes. My hair is slightly curled kasi I got it from my mama. Natural na ganun. And its length is just medium. Then its color black. But the difference is that my eyes is color yellow. I wish people won’t mind to see it creepy.

Suddenly hindi ko napansin na may nakabanggaan ako. I rapidly apologize to the person.

"It's okay, no worries, just be careful," he said. OMG! (My favorite line haha) He's tall, he has brown eyes, he's masculine kaya naisip ko na halatang nagwo work out siya. Before, I tried kaso lang I really love eating eh but still kahit na kain ako ng kain hindi ako tumataba. I think I am one of those girls out there na ganun. Ang pink ng lips niya, Medyo curly ang hair which is also color black, nakasuot siya ng plain white t-shirt, I don't know what type of shoes is he wearing and short na hanggang tuhod.

When he smiled at me, hindi ako nakagalaw and na- speechless ako, I don't know why. Why is this happening?

"Ms?" tanong niya. OMG! Ang ganda ng boses niya. "Sorry, I have to go nagmamadali kasi ako. Be careful nalang," then tumakbo na siya palayo. Grabe Maxine, nanigas ka dun ah. Akala ko ba never ka makakaramdam ng ganun? OMG Maxine!

Sinampal ko sarili ko para magising dahil ewan ko kung anong nangyari sakin after nun.

After an hour, magbabayad nako sa counter. Hindi ko alam kung paano pero pinagmasdan ko and I observed other people na nagbabayad dun, pwedeng card or mismong pera. Ang problem ko, I both have them...Paano kaya 'to?

Lumipas ang ilang minutes, Ako na magbabayad sa counter. Tinanong ko kung magkano, she said "1000 dollars" and then nilabas ko wallet ko, ang daming lamang pera. Hindi ko alam na ganito kadami laman nito. Binigay lang kasi sa akin ni papa ito eh. Nang kukunin na nung babae ung bayad ko, I saw a chip and a number in her palm. Same as sa Nakita ko kay papa. Mas na recognized ko kung ano iyon. It's not a date but a time. 

Papa told me na it is called as Death counts. But what does that mean. Hindi ko nalang pinansin pero 30 minutes ang nakalagay sa palm nung babae.

Binalewala ko nalang iyon and then umuwi nako agad sa bahay. It took 20 minutes bago ako makauwi or makapunta sa city. Either of the two.

.

.

Ang bilis naman, gabi na.

Nakaluto nako ng food for dinner and then I grabbed my food at pumunta sa sala to watch something sa television. Pag-open ko, news ang nag-appear. It says that a woman died. Dun pa mismo sa mall na pinuntahan ko kanina. I never saw the woman's face kasi nga naka- blurred sa television.

"OMG! 10 minutes na pala ung nakalipas, papakainin ko pa si Live."

Kaya I rapidly turned off the television and got Live's food then pumunta sa room niya para pakainin siya. After ko siya pakainin pumunta nadin ako sa kwarto ko to go to sleep. Papa said that I have to go to sleep early kasi bad ang matulog ng late. But I received a call from him kaya sinagot ko muna iyon.

"Hey princess, how's your day?" I admitted it, I miss my papa, kahit na ang harsh ko. Hindi ko mapagkailang miss ko na si papa kahit saglit na oras palang ung nakakalipas.

"I'm fine papa, mahirap lang po mag adjust kasi wala pakong alam sa mga nangyayari outside. Kung meron man po kakaonti hehe."

"Good to know, always take care."

"Thank you for all of this papa, I'll go to sleep now, Love you!" This is like my first time again ng pagsabi ng "I Love You" sa papa ko. Hindi naman natin maipagkakaila na nakakahiyang magsabi ng ganun sa parents eh pero dapat kahit papaano magawa padin kasi ayun ung nakapgpapasaya sa kanila.

He replied back and then ended the call.

Tomorrow is the time para mag enroll sa university na sinabi ni papa sakin. My goal is to have friends. OMG!

"Promise me that you won't accept---"

What?Wala nakong marinig pero I can see na gumagalaw ung labi ni papa habang may sinasabi, ano Yun? Hindi ko maintindihan.

Then suddenly I woke up.

Akala ko umaga na, Gabi padin pala Kasi andilim ng paligid nung inopen ko ang curtains.

Pero...

Pero---

Pagtingin ko sa clock, it's already 7 am in the morning. Kaya bigla akong kinilabutan. Hinanap ko agad Yung cellphone ko pero kahit sa huling pinaglagyan ko nun wala doon.

Nagsisimula nakong matakot. What's happening?Bakit ganito...

When I'm about to get out of my bed I heard some footsteps going upstairs.

My heart is beating so fast.

Naghahabol nadin ako Ng hininga especially when I heard and feel na papalit na sa room ko yung naririnig kong footsteps.

Then suddenly...

The door opened slowly.

Kaya agad akong nagtago sa blanket ko. But then nung bukas na ung pinto ng room ko, nawala Yung noise coming from the footsteps I heard.

That's why, I bravely close the door as fast as I can and then bumalik sa Kama ko to hide under my blanket.

Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ung ganito. Yung kahit nakakumot ka na anlamig padin...

Then, I heard someone.

"Maxine..."

It's a woman calling my name.

"It's just me..."

I know that voice. Mama? Naiiyak nako kasi antagal ko nading Hindi nakakasama yung mama ko lalo na bata pako nung namatay siya.

I looked around.

Trying to find mama but it's too dark.

It's even darker than before and became messy.

I bravely stand up and follow her voice. I don't know Kung saan kami pupunta but I'm startled when I can hear her voice behind the locked door in my house.

I want to open it kahit nung unang punta ko palang dito but I don't have any key. Also, papa didn't mention that the house that I'll be living has this kind of mysterious room.

When I'm about to touch the doorknob ...

Someone touched my back.

Then, I woke up again.

Nasa tabi ko si Live.

Hindi ko padin makalimutan ung nangyari, Kung panaginip Lang ba talaga Yun? Sana ...

Pag nadadaanan ko ung room kinikilabutan ako Ng Hindi ko alam. Pero Hindi ko na pinansin Yun. Pinilit ko nalang na kalimutan Kasi ako mahihirapan kapag Hindi ko ginawa Yun.

I fixed myself and kumain nadin Ng agahan before going sa university.

On the way...

"Maxine..."

I heard that voice again. Muntikan pako mabangga because of that. "Mama, stop it!."

Dali-dali kong pinatakbo ang sasakyan ko habang naghahabol Ng hininga.

Na-trauma na ata ako...

.

.

I stopped sa isang gas station muna to fill up the tank.

Same as what happened sa counter last night, when I'm about to pay, I also saw it in the person's palm.

01:00:00

Pero same as before, Hindi kodun iyon pinansin. Nung naghihintay ako ng sukli, yung driver sa isang car sa other side Ng gas station, waved at me and unexpectedly meron din siya nun.

00:14:40

" Almost 15 minutes?" What’s that supposed to mean? I really don't get it. After getting my change umalis nadin ako agad and still, Hindi ko pinansin Yung ganun.

.

.

It's not a modern type of university but as what my papa said, it's an amazing school especially dun siya nag-aral before.

Most of the students in the school have their own car and all of them seemed to be rich. Halos wala Kang makikitang left behind sa school.

Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, people are staring at me and I don't know why.

"May transfer nanaman?or freshmen Yan?"

I can hear them murmuring.

Puro Ganyan Ang sinasabi, para bang new comers are not welcome sa school.

But like what I did dun sa Hindi pag pansin sa palm Ng mga Tao ganun din ginawa ko dito.

Mahihirapan ata ako magka friend dito ah. Mukhang even here, lonely padin ako.

But then, I noticed a woman who's just like me. I think she is a shy type. Also, I think she is a transferee too. I wish we could be classmates.

Then the bell rang...

Everyone is going somewhere and I don't know Kung saan Yun but I followed them.

We were in some sort of hall. May big stage and I mean anlaki Ng place. But it's kinda creepy dahil medyo madilim.

"Good morning Sedah students and future students!"

May babae sa stage na nagsasalita. I don't know if that's the principal or what. Grabe, Wala talaga akong Alam sa ganito. Para akong grade 1... Yung feeling na first time mong pumasok sa isang school.

"Enrollment is in the hallway."

After Ng mga sinabi niya nagpunta na lahat para mag enroll.

Maxine, I know this is difficult but I believe in you, you can do it. You're the daughter of Max that's why you have to give your best.

Baka Kasi makilala ako nung ibang Tao dito Lalo pa't dito nag aral si papa before.

"Hi Ms, just fill up this form and then submit it dun sa right side."

"Thank you..."

She looked nice. Not just sakin but to everyone. But papa said don't trust anyone Ng ganun kadali.

Nung magpi-fill up nako hindi ko Alam kung ilalagay ko ba Yung surname ko.

I leaved it blank.

Hindi kodin Kasi Alam Kung ano. Kasi Wala namang binabanggit si papa. But I realized, it looks creepy kaya Yung second name ko, Yun Ang ginawa Kong surname. "Demine"

Maxine Demine

Buti nagpagawa nadin ako ng birth certificate na ganyan. Same Lang Naman ung birthday "June 6, 2006". Lahat maayos Naman maliban Lang sa name. Naiintindihan ko Naman si papa kaso sa sobrang busy Niya nakakalimutan na niya Yung anak niya.

Nung pauwi nako, Nakita ko Yung lalaki na nakabanggaan ko sa mall. OMG! Same kami Ng school na papasukan. Sana maging classmate ko siya hehehe...

Ang landi ko ba? Charr...

Akala ko ba Maxine never ka maiinlove? Nako ah. Stop it...

.

.

I don't know kung kaya ko bang matulog ngayon after what happened.

Ano palang magandang gawin bukas? Nauubusan nako ng plano ah.

Hmmm...

Wala pa Naman Kasi akong friends na pwede puntahan.

Anlayo Naman ni papa.

Nakakabored sa bahay Kung laging si Live kalaro ko.

Alam ko na!

Wala pala...

Sleep nalang ako, Sana bukas malaman ko na Kung anong magandang gawin.