In the Grip of Asmodeo (The Moretti Obsession #1)

Again

Isa

Dalawa

Tatlo

Apat

Lima

Anim

Pito

Pitong araw na payapa ang buhay ko pagkatapos ng mga nasaksihan ko, napahikab ako at tumingin sa mga kasama kong kumakain, the early morning light crept in through the half-open blinds, casting pale shadows on the walls. Nakaupo ako sa tabi ni Aunty Jesse, tinititigan ko lamang ang cereal at hindi iniibo, buti pa tong cereals walang problema.

"Hindi magkukusa ang pagkain sa bibig mo" napatingin ako sa nagsalita, si Fred, ang bagong asawa ng Aunty, tumango ako at nagsimula ng kumain.

Hindi ko alam kung nasan ang utak ko, parang lumilipad at okupado lamang ng isang tao, hindi ko parin makalimutan ang nangyari last week, nakakatakot.

"You okay, sweetie?" Aunty Jesse asked, slicing her pancake and pouring honey on top. "lagi ka ng tulala nitong mga nakaraang araw" dagdag pa nito at tumingin saakin.

Bakit nga ba? aminin ko man o hindi pero alam ko na dahil iyon sa natuklasan ko isang linggo na ang nakakalipas.

I nodded, offering her a weak smile "I'm fine, aunty, pagod lang po"

Aunty Jesse raised her eyebrow, tila hindi naniniwala sa dahilan ko, it's a half true and half lie naman.

"Papasok na rin po ako mayamaya"

"Alright," Aunty Jesse said, pouring syrup over her pancakes again. "You still planning on seeing Dr. Moretti today?"

I froze mid-motion, the spoon clinking sharply against the ceramic bowl. I hadn't expected that. "W-what?"

"Nag book ulit ako. You need to go, Charlie," she insisted, a little too firmly.

My stomach twisted, but i forced myself to take a deep breath. The last thing i wanted was to go back to the clinic. The man with the deep voice, the intense eyes, the way he called me "Bunny"—it had all been too much, but I couldn't admit it to my aunt, baka sabihin nya nababaliw na rin ako.

"I don't think I need it," i said carefully, avoiding my Aunty Jesse's gaze. "I'm... fine, hindi na ko nananaginip" I lied.

Aunty Jesse sighed "Charlie, it's not about being 'fine.' It's about you being healthy. You've been through a lot, and if Dr. Moretti can help you, then we need to let him."

I felt the air grow heavier. "I don't think he can," I muttered under my breath, lalo nya kong pinapalala.

"Pupunta ka, after class mo" mariin nitong sabi "itetext ko sayo kung anong oras" dagdag pa nito at hindi na ko pinansin pa.

I nodded, my heart beating fast, really fast. Paano ako haharap sakanya, what if alam nya talagang ako yung tao sa bathroom stall last week.

The clinic was quiet, kakatapos lang ng klase ko at nag text na agad si Aunty na pumunta na daw after class ko.

I stood at the entrance, hesitating for a moment before pushing the door open. The cold air from the outside followed me in, sending a small shiver down my spine, para naman akong pumasok sa haunted house nito.

The receptionist greeted me with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and without another word, handed me a clipboard with paperwork i didn't need. The clinic smelled like antiseptic, clean but somehow off, and my stomach churned again, aanhin ko tong mga papel na inabot nya?