Watch your words, they become your actions: 20 | Broken Promise

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They say scars heal with time, but what about the ones buried deep inside? The wounds you can’t see, but feel, like jagged edges hidden beneath the surface—each one a reminder of what I’ve been through, of the pain that’s become part of me.

Walang may alam kung ano talaga ang nangyari. Hindi ko rin sinabi ang totoo kina Chad at Gael, gumawa lamang ako ng istorya para mapaniwala silang iyon ang dahilan ko sa dagliang pag alis ko.

I was just happy I was able to feel the freedom while staying in this country. Malayo kay Dad, malayo sa mga ekspektasyon, malayo sa responsibilidad, malayo sa gulo.

Oo, tinakbuhan ko talaga ang buhay na meron ako sa Japan, pero hindi ko naman akalaing hihinto ako rito para tumakbo ulit pabalik sa Japan.

Tumakas.

Sisihin ang sarili.

Halos patayin ko na ang sarili ko noon... dahil walang naniniwala sa sinasabi ko. Walang kumakampi sa akin, natakot rin akong malaman nila Chad at Gael ang totoo dahil baka mandiri sila sa akin.

Dahil baka ayaw na nila akong maging kaibigan kapag nalaman nilang pinagsasamantalahan ako ni sir Pedran.

Excelling as a student was my guide, my way to win my father's approval and stand out among my peers. I believed that academic success, a strong moral compass, and a string of achievements would shape me for leadership.

I pictured it would attach to my name, like the subtle fragrance of flowers, drawing admiration from everyone around me.

But it was all my ideal.

I modeled my attitude after my ambitions—poised, respectful, and driven—hoping it would help me climb the ladder of success.

But as I moved forward, I saw a harsh truth: this world had its own rules, full of contradictions. Instead of bringing me the recognition I wanted, my efforts seemed to set me apart, almost isolating me.

My father’s expectations kept shifting, his standards of success feeling like a moving target I could never quite reach. No matter how hard I tried, the distance between what he wanted and what I achieved only seemed to grow.

And in this twist of fate, I discovered the irony—my pursuit of a perfect image, rather than bringing connection, seemed to push people away.

Somewhere along the way, I became the teacher’s favorite, but even that felt like a reminder of how far I still was from what I really wanted.

Or let's say, I became a pet.

To me, being praised for intelligence, talent, and wealth always seemed admirable. But I never expected how hollow those compliments could feel—how they could start to weigh on you, almost repelling the soul with each bit of admiration.

Hindi ko akalaing nakakayamot iyon sa pan-dinig.

Nakakasakal.

Nakakarindi.

Nakaka-patay.

And then he touched me.

I thought it was just a gesture of a father admiring her daughter but it wasn't. His hands went to my uncomfortable parts. His soft touch became heavy. I struggle to get off his hands on my neck. I couldn't move.

I couldn't just move. O pinili kong hindi gumalaw.

Hindi na ako nakagalaw sa takot, sa sobrang pangamba na baka malaman ni Dad ang nangyayari sa akin. Baka sabihin niyang naging pabaya lamang ako. Pero lahat ng iyon ay hindi ko naman hinayaang mangyari lang.

Sadyang wala akong kalaban-laban.

While I couldn't hold the grasp to the only person I trust the most, I was also suffocating from the abuse. Chanel became distant, I became a loner. A trash, a mere pet and the bully's target. 

That's the moment it struck me.

People tend to look past who you really are when you're stuck in the mud. Maybe that’s why Dad is so strict with me—like he’s determined to keep me spotless, to make sure nothing stains my reputation or warps how others see me.

It wasn’t until Chanel’s words sank in that I realized the weight of power. I had been playing with something I barely understood, dancing on the surface without knowing the depths or the responsibility that influence brings.

In others' eyes, my arrogance became a kind of strength—a source of power. But it was a shallow power, one that couldn’t shield me from the misery I felt when Sir Pedran put his filthy hands on me.

But along with that came Gael and Chad entering my life. Matagal ko ng kilala ang pamilya ni Chad ngunit hindi ko naman akalain na makilala at maging kaibigan siya kasama si Gael.

When Gael stepped in to protect me from the bullies, it was the first time someone truly saw the hidden parts of me. But that day quickly turned into a nightmare—I was terrified someone might have been hurt, or worse, because of me.

I had no idea then that Gael was the heir to a powerful Clan Company that Dad had long ties with. I only found out because Dad was furious. He told me he didn’t know what he’d do if something happened to the sole heir of the Clan.

Buti nalang at nagising si Gael matapos siyang ma comatose ng tatlong araw. It felt as though the heavens and earth paused, weighing heavy on my chest the moment his eyes met mine upon opening.

From that day forward, I made a vow to myself—to reclaim the power I once had, even if it meant utilizing my father's fortune.

After that turning point, things started looking up for me… until they almost felt perfect. But then Chanel reappeared. She locked me in Sir Pedran’s office, and another terrifying nightmare unfolded, shattering any sense of peace I’d found.

I was only in third year high school, turning eighteen when he went into my flesh.

Nangyari ulit nag kinakakatakutan ko.

Wala ulit akong nagawa.

Wala ulit ang naniwala.

Wala paring sumubok makinig at pinili ko nalang ulit na gumapang sa paanan ng taong alam kong gagawin ang lahat para sa'kin.

I thought Dad wouldn't listen but he condemned the school after that, he flew back with me in our homeland.

Not able to bid goodbye to my friends.

Not able to apologize to Chanel.

And not having a moment to apologize to myself cause Dad swiftly propelled me into the fastest route to strength, independence, and the necessary power I sought.

Tapos bumalik ulit ako.

Pero heto, nanliliit parin sa sarili ko.

Tinamaan sa lahat ng sinabi ni Chanel.

Hindi ko ulit alam kung ano ang gagawin.

Mahina parin ako.

May ipinaglalaban na ako kaso hindi ko naman magawang lumaban para sa sarili ko.

Nakakapagod din pala, lahat ng nasa stroyang 'to ay pagod. Ang nagsusulat din siguro... Char.

Halos mahugot ko ang aking hininga ng makaramdam ng matinding pananakit ng tiyan. 

"Itai! Nani ga okotte imasu ka?" pagtataka ko sa sarili.

Translation: Aww, what's happening?

"How, fucking dare you, Aoike! Wala kang alam!" agad akong napatingin kay Chanel ng isigaw niya iyon sa pagmumukha ko habang hawak-hawak na siya ni Floid. 

More of like strangling her in the arms to prevent her from attacking me. Kuso, ano bang nangyayari? 

"Chanel, enough, she's bleeding! God dammit, what have you done pretty girl?" agap ni Floid tapos tumingin sa akin ng masama.

Pero hindi ko mapuna ang sinabi niya dahil napahawak ako sa ulo ko na bigla nalang nanakit ng sobrang lala.

I jerked off from the ground and almost kissed the rough cement ground when I gag. Nakaramdam na ako ng panghihilo hanggang sa nasuka ko na ang kanina pa pilit lumabas sa sikmura ko.

I gasped for air but I couldn't breath, agad nalang nanikip ang lalamunan ko ng makita ko kung ano ang sinuka ko.

"Crap, what did you do Chanel? She's vomiting blood!" umalingawngaw sa tainga ko ang sinabi ni Floid at doon ako napasigaw sa sobrang sakit.

"Sh-shaneru..." I grumbled, reaching for her feet pero bago ko paman iyon maabot ay tumama ang paa niya sa aking mukha.

Pinatid niya ako na para bang bubwit lang.

"You have no idea how much you've hurt me," Chanel grunted, her voice quivering when I felt her hands grab my hair. Pulling me so I could face to her. "I trusted you, and you shattered that trust without even realizing it."

"I have to deal with my rapist, step Dad while seeing you getting away from me and flirt to the guy I really like?"

My eyes widened, realizing everything she said.

"Shaneru, y-you got me wrong—" I finally cried but she shoved my head on the ground before I could finish what I want to say.

Itai!

"Don't you dare try to explain or justify it! You have no clue what it's like to feel so betrayed." Tears welled up in Chanel's eyes, her frustration evident as I look up.

"You were supposed to be my friend, someone I could count on. But you didn't even think for a second about the consequences of your actions."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"I don't want your apologies!" Chanel's voice cracked. "You don't get it, do you? You've ruined everything! You've made me question everything and everyone."

Hindi pa siya natapos sa pag ngudngud ng mukha ko sa semento. Bawat tama siguro ng semento sa pisngi ko ay katumbas ata ng ilang beses na pag pokpok ng martilyo sa pako para mabaon lang ito ng maayos.

"I need time," Chanel uttered, her voice barely a whisper. "I need time to figure things out because until now, I can't even look at you without feeling... betrayed."

"What did you do? You went arrogant, you stopped talking to me, and get closed with Gael. Habang ako? Alam mo bang ano ang pinag-daan ko ha?! Ngayon mo ako sisihin! Ngayon mo ako itaboy ulit!" 

"I don't care seeing blood in your pretty face, everyone must suffer as I suffer! I'm gonna put you all through hell—!" she was stomping on my face when she suddenly stop.

No, someone stopped Chanel. I saw it.

But who?

I twitched in burning pain on my face. Lasap na lasap ko ang sariwang dugo sa aking labi. The throbbing agony feels like a relentless drumbeat, pulsating beneath the surface.

My cheekbone feels like it’s been carved out, each touch a jolt of agony. The swelling has twisted the shape I know so well, a brutal reminder of Chanel’s foot pressing down on me.

Even blinking is torture, each blink a sharp, stabbing pain, as if my eyelid were made of glass, ready to shatter with the slightest movement.

Gusto ko alamin kung anong nangyayari kaya pinilit kong bumangon. And I somehow managed to sit on the ground, I looked up and to my surprise I met her terrifying gaze.

The sight of her usual stare sent an unexpected surge of fear through me. Her stature, felt daunting, casting an intimidating shadow that made my heart race.

"Ru—by?" I try to mouth the words, but speaking sends sharp pains through my mouth. Every syllable is a struggle against the raw, tender feeling that takes over.

I couldn't speak at tanging hangin lang ang nai-bigkas ko. Halos kapain ko pa ang aking lalamunan pero natulala na lamang ako sa sumunod na nangyari.

"Cha-chanel?" dinig kong bukambibig ni Floid habang niluhod nito ang nakahandusay na katawan ni Chanel sa lupa, ilang metro lang ang layo sa akin. "Hey, fuck. Wake up! Chanel!"

D-did I saw everything right? Chanel was the one who lunge on her...how come she was the one lying on the ground and not Ruby?!

"Anong ginawa mo sa kanya?!" Floid's voice echoed like a lion, looking so furious at Ruby na hindi ko rin ma-atim na tignan ng matagal ang pagmumukha niya.

Nakakatakot!

Kung mukha na siyang walking dead, mas lalalong patay na patay ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya na para bang wala na talagang kabuhay-buhay doon. As if, she's not human anymore.

"I did not do something..." she mouthed.

Ehhh??

"What? Are you making fun of what just happened?"

"Hindi—"

"Tangina bakit hindi ko siya magising?"

"Edi gisingin mo?" barumbadong ani Ruby at bumaling na sa akin. 

Agad akong umiwas ng tingin dahil ayaw kong salubungin ang mga mata niya!

"Aoike..." she called.

Kowai!!!

"Aoike?" napapikit na lamang ako.

Wala na atang mas nakakatakot sa lalim at gasgas niyang boses! "Aoike—fuck." daing niya bigla kaya agad akong napamulat ng mata.

"What the hell did you do to her?" nanlilisik ang matang tanong ni Floid habang mahigpit ang hawak nito sa leeg ni Ruby.

Natakot nalang ako bigla para kay Ruby pero hindi ko inasahan ang ngising kumawala sa labi nito.

"Tumatawa ka ba? Gago ka ah!"

I gasped when Floid's fist landed on Ruby and the next thing I knew, nakahiga na ito sa lupa! Gagapang na sana ako patungo sa kanya kaya lang kaagad siyang inambahan ng sipa sa sikmura! She also spit blood, but Floid didn't stop.

"Floid! Tama na!" sigaw ko habang inaabot ang paa niya. "Floid—"

"Isa ka pa!" natigilan ako ng bigla niya akong dekwatin sa kwelyo saka inambaan ng malakas na sampal!

Dahil sa lakas niyon ay nabitwan niya ako at ramdam ko na naman ang magaspang na lupa saking mukha.
Pakiramdam ko ay lumugwak ang aking mga mata ng maramdamn ang sikmura kong namimilipit na iduwal ang ano mang kailangang lumabas sa aking bibig.

It felt like my intestines got tumbled with my lungs and ribs as blood came out from my mouth again at naubos ang lakas ko para bumangon ulit.

As if a gravitational force was pulling my body down, aggressively that I can't feel my lungs anymore.

"R-ruby..." bukambibig ko nalang dahil hindi ko na kaya.

I was struggling, pinipilit ang sariling hindi bumitaw at ipikit ang mga mata. Hanggat maaari, sisiguraduhin kong ligtas si Ruby.

Worry flooded my mind, and fear crept back when Ruby's smile flashed briefly, only to vanish in an instant, replaced by alarm that matched my own rising panic. In a heartbeat, Floid was the one she took down effortlessly.

Sugooi, she's so strong... Sa isang tulak niya lang ay halos lumigid sa lupa ang katawan ni Floid.

How could she do that? I knew, I saw her somewhere. Somewhere... Damn, namumungay na ang mga mata ko.

"Aoike, hey! Wake up!" kahit lumatay sa sistema ko ang kaba ng abutin niya ako ay nakaramdam parin ako ng kalma sa kaloob-looban ko.

"You saved me..." wika ko habang nanglalabo na ang aking paningin.

"Aoike, c'mon I'll bring you the
Hospi—"

"Ruby?" nanghihina kong tawag pero hindi siya sumagot. My forhead creased as I felt the ground again. Kanina lang ay hawak-hawak niya ako pero asan siya?

Nilabanan ko ang antok hanggang sa makita na lamang si Gael na halos basagin na ang mukha ni Rubianna!

"I'm going to kill you!"

"No..."

My heart sank to my stomach, gasping some air so I could shout! "Cargaeru, stop!"

"Please stop, No... Stop it Gaeru, please!" I pleaded but he won't just listen!

I struggled to reach Cargael, my voice breaking through the chaos as I pleaded, “No, Gaeru-kun, please don’t hurt her! She saved me—you promised!”

But before I could get close, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. My strength drained away, leaving me weak, my limbs heavy and useless.

“Ruby…” I whispered, watching helplessly as Gael loomed over her, fear twisting in my chest. Guilt tore at me—I was so close, yet completely powerless to protect the one who’d risked herself for me.

“You broke your promise, Gaeru-kun…” I murmured, closing my eyes in defeat.

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To be continued...