CHAPTER 7

My breath hitched as my chest was tightening because an unfamiliar pair of arms wrapped around me, squeezing me so hard that I could barely breathe.

I gasped, and was shocked by the sudden embrace. Who was this person, why was he hugging me like this? I hadn't even seen him coming.

"I... I can't breathe," I whispered, my voice shaky and strained as I tried to pull away.

The stranger jumped like I had just woken him up from a deep thought. He quickly let go, his eyes growing wide in shock, then turned and ran into the darkness without saying anything.

I stood there, confused, watching him leave as my mind raced. Who was he? Why did he hug me? It didn't make sense. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, then remembered why I had come outside.

I quickly made my way to the bathroom, trying to calm my racing heart. After finishing up, I returned to Ei's car and slumped into the seat.

Through the window, my gaze drifted over to the closed casket of Rafael, my closest friend.

Time passed without noticing as I sat here while staring at my best friend's closed casket. A heavy feeling sank in—I would never see Rafael again. This was the last time we would be in the same place, and I couldn't bring myself to look away.

Ei came back to the car, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts. "I'm glad I brought you here, Sarah," she said gently, resting a hand on my shoulder. "I just knew that Rafael's burial won't last much longer—they will cremate him soon. We only have a few hours left to say goodbye."

I nodded, the ache in my chest tightening as I looked back toward his casket. I'd give anything for just a few more minutes with him—one last chance to see him, even if only from afar. Rafael had been there for me in ways no one else ever had, and knowing I'd never have his support again left me feeling hollow.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Quit lazing around, Sarah! No class doesn't mean you get a break!" My mother's sharp voice cut through my thoughts, jolting me back to reality.

I looked up to see her standing at the door, her hands on her hips, glaring at me. My sister Hillary was there too, arms crossed, with damp hair and clothes from washing up in the yard.

"Mom..." I mumbled, glancing at her.

She scoffed. "Don't 'mom' me like that. Go hang the clothes we just washed!" Her tone was stern, the usual edge of impatience clear.

I scrambled to my feet, tidying up my bed before going out to my room. "Yes, right away."

After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I headed to the backyard. It didn't take me long to hang the clothes, years of helping out had me used to these chores.

Later, as we were eating, she suddenly asked, "You still have some money saved, don't you?"

"Yes, I've saved a bit. Mostly for emergencies or school expenses," I replied, glancing down at my plate as I took a sip of water.

She rolled her eyes. "Lend me that, I need to settle a debt with Marites. That woman won't stop pestering me as if I'd skip town over a few pesos."

I nodded, bracing myself. "Alright, Mom. I'll get it for you once we're done eating."

She left with a sigh, whispering something to herself. I knew she might never pay me back, but I still gave her the money—maybe she really needed it.

Once the clothes were hung, I took a moment to rest on the porch, my gaze wandering down the familiar path that led to the river where Rafael and I had spent countless hours. Memories rushed in, and I fought back a fresh wave of tears, struggling to keep my composure.

"Sarah!" My mother's voice jolted me again.

"Yes?" I called out, heading to the living room, two laundry baskets in hand.

She frowned, clearly impatient. "The money! Don't just stand there!"

"Oh!" I quickly set down the baskets, pulling out my wallet to hand her the cash. She snatched it, walking off to pay Aling Marites.

Since there were no classes that day, I chose to take a long, soothing bath. School had been exhausting, and with graduation approaching, the pressure only grew. As I relaxed in the water, a faint rustling by the bathroom wall caught my attention. I stiffened, a chill running down my spine, as I noticed a hand slipping through a tear in the tarp that acted as my temporary bathroom wall—its cold fingers brushing against my skin.

I spun around, my eyes widening in horror as I recognized Caloy, peeking through the hole, his gaze unsettling.

"Sarah..." he murmured, his voice low and uncomfortably close. "Your body looks incredible..."

A shudder of anger and fear surged through me. How dare he violate my space like this? I grabbed a dipper without a second thought and splashed water at him, hoping to startle him away.

I wrapped myself in a towel while panicking and ran out of the bathroom. I can feel my body still trembling. I found my mother in the living room, her eyes were on me as she removed a toothpick from her mouth.

"M-mother..." I stammered, unable to control the shaking in my voice.

She looked at me with a mix of irritation and curiosity. "What is it now, Sarah?"

I scratched my arm nervously as I looked at her and hesitated if I'm going to say what Caloy did to me or not. She slapped my hand away and glared at me.

"Stop that! Are you trying to ruin your skin?"

My chest felt tight, a mixture of anger, frustration, and shame swirling inside me. I'd dealt with this before, but Rafael had always managed to make him back off. Now, without Rafael, I felt so vulnerable.

"What's wrong with you?" she snapped.

"It's... it's Caloy. He was outside at the bathroom... and he... touched me," I whispered, while glancing down.

She clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes. "How long has that tarp been torn? You're so careless! If you'd just told me, none of this would have happened!"

Her cold words hurt more than any scolding, and my eyes filled with tears. I tried to stay calm, taking quick breaths, but I could still feel his hand on my skin.

"Hernand!" my mother yelled, summoning one of my siblings. He entered with an exasperated expression, as if my distress was just another annoyance.

"What now?"

"Damn that Caloy from the other barrio!" she fumed. "He's been peeping on Sarah again! You better deal with him, or else I'll be the one to pay him a visit—with a knife. I'll go fucking slice his dick off, I swear!"

I turned and hurried to my room. I shut the door and let the tears flow freely. I hugged myself and cried until exhaustion took over, leaving me with an ache in my chest.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Ei approached me the next day on campus. "Sarah, there's a gathering for the graduates today. Want to go to the gym together?" Her voice was cheerful, but my mind was elsewhere, unable to shake the haunting feeling left from yesterday.

"Sarah? Are you okay?" Ei asked, noticing my distant expression.

I clutched my folder while scratching my arm out of nervousness. Why am I feeling paranoid? Even though Hernand had spoken to Caloy, I couldn't escape the feeling that I was still being watched. I missed Rafael's presence—his protection had made me feel safe in a way no one else could.

"Sarah?" Ei's voice brought me back, and I forced a smile.

"Y-yeah... I'm okay," I mumbled.

She sighed, linking her arm with mine. "Let's head to the gym. It'll get crowded if we don't go now."

We walked in silence, but I couldn't shake the eerie feeling of being followed. I'd never felt so alone, so vulnerable, and with Rafael gone, that sense of security had vanished completely.

SHANGPU