Eternal Echoes (The Billionaire’s Claim #1)

I JOLTED awake, gasping for breath, my body drenched in cold sweat. Tremors ran through my hand, and my heart pounded relentlessly in my chest.

Mga masasamang ala-ala na ayaw akong lubayan, nanatiling bumabagabag sa aking pagtulog.

"Bawal pahina hina dito babae!" the goon shouted at me. I am to weak to even stand and walk. They forced me to move big blocks of ice. Sobrang lamig nakakadag-dag sa aking panghihina.

''Hindi ko na po kaya—parang awa niyo na po," I pleaded. Napaluhod ako. Wala ng luhang lumalabas sa aking mga mata naubos na sa aking walang katapusang pagiyak.

"Ano!? Hindi pwede! bawal ka magpahinga, walang kwenta!" he shouted, his voice filled with rage and contempt. In a swift and brutal motion, he unleashed a forceful kick directly to my vulnerable abdomen. The impact was devastating, sending waves of excruciating pain coursing through my body. I felt my consciousness slip away, like a flickering flame extinguished in an instant.

As the searing pain consumed me, my vision blurred and sounds faded into the background. Umikot ang paningin ko at unti unting binalot ng dilim...

Sa mga nakalipas na linggo na natili ako sa ospital, iyon ang patuloy na bumabalot sa aking mga panaginip kung pa'no ako sinaktan.

The images and sensations were etched deep within me, leaving scars that seemed impossible to heal. I couldn't shake the memories of the physical and emotional torment they had inflicted upon me. The pain they had caused still haunted me, invading even my moments of sleep. Parang wala akong takas, kahit nakadilat o nakapikit sinusundan nila ako.

The damage they had done to me was irreparable. They had not only hurt me physically but also wounded the very essence of who I was. The scars ran deep, affecting my sense of self and my ability to trust.

Yet, despite the darkness, a glimmer of light shone through. I considered myself fortunate because, in my darkest hour, someone had come to my rescue, extending a helping hand to pull me from the clutches of those who had hurt me. Sa aking puso, malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa babaeng tumulong sa'kin, dumating siya noong panahon na pasuko na ako. If our paths crossed again someday, I would make sure na tatanawin ko na utang na loob ang ginawa niyang tulong at sa lahat ng paraan na kaya kong gantihan siya nh kabutihan ay gagawin ko.

The curtain, which served as a partition between each patient in the ward department where I was confined, was pulled back, and a female nurse emerged from behind it,"Good Morning, Luceene, kumusta?" The nurse greeted me.

"Masamang panaginip nanaman, ayaw pa din nila akong tigilan," I replied, watching the nurse clean my wounds.

Hindi ko maramdaman ang sakit sa bawat dampi niya sa aking sugat dahil sobrang gaan ng kamay nito. It seemed like she knew every step of the process by heart. Sa bawat pagkilos niya ay mahahalata ang pagiging natural na maalaga nito.

The nurse taking care of me was Xia, the only person I truly trusted. Xia had been my caregiver while I was confined in a public hospital in an unknown location. Although I had no clear information in my mind, I had no interest in knowing the exact location because, at present, I had no knowledge or clues about it.

Tinuring ko si Xia na kaibigan. She is kind to me, always taking care of me and bringing me food when she wasn't busy with her duties at the hospital.

"Naiintindihan ko na nababagabag ka pa din, pero wag kang magalala hindi ka na nila magagalaw," Xia reassured me, placing her hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her assurance, feeling somewhat safe. "May naaalala ka na ba?" Xia asked, concerned.

Malungkot akong napatingin sa aking mga kamay.

Naalala ko bigla ang sabi ng Doctor na meron akong amnesia dahil sa head injury at trauma na naranasan ko, at walang kasiguraduhan kung babalik pa ang aking ala-ala.

"I still don't remember anything about myself, who I am. Besides my first name, all I remember are painful memories and this baby in my womb. My hope, my strong warrior," I replied, tears streaming down my face. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the sobs that threatened to escape.

Ilang linggo na din magmula nang ma-confine ako ngunit wala pa din akong maalala, nawawalan ako ng pag-asa.

In terms of recovery, both emotionally and in regaining my lost memories, mabagal ang aking progress. But the good thing napapansin ko naman ang pag-heal ng mga sugat ko, at ang fetal heart rate ng baby ko ay stable sabi ni Doktora, 'yon ang pinakamahalaga para sa akin sa ngayon, ang baby ko.

Basta okay siya, okay ako.

I couldn't remember who the father of my baby was.

Mahal niya kaya ako? hinahanap? o alam niya bang magkaka-baby na kami?

I often found myself wondering what I had done wrong to experience such immense suffering. I couldn't help but question if there was anyone out there searching for me, if I had a family or a loving husband who cherished and valued me. The uncertainty of my past and the possibility of having loved ones added to my contemplation.

I felt empty and inexplicably sad, sensing an incompleteness within me.

Ang dami kong tanong na walang kasagutan. Kung may kasagutan wala namang sasagot para sa'kin.

I am still fortunate that I hadn't forgotten my baby. Bagay na pinagpapasalamat ko, dahil binigyan pa din ako ng rason para piliting lumaban at magpatuloy. The love and responsibility I felt towards my unborn child gave me the strength and determination to move forward.

I gently placed my hand on my baby bump, which was still not very noticeable, maliit akong magbuntis, dahil na din sa malnourished ako. I barely ate under the control of the people who abused me. All I did was survive and endure during that time.

"Hala siya, wag ka ng umiyak! You're not allowed to be stressed because if you're stressed, the baby gets stressed too. And I have good news for you, para hindi ka na malungkot," Xia comforted me.

I calmed myself, wiping away my tears and trying to lighten my spirits. My friend was right, I shouldn't be stressed, especially ngayon na maselan ang sitwasyon ko.

Kailangan kong mag doble ingat.

I didn't think I could bear it if I lost my child too. My baby was my only companion, a part of my identity that I was sure of.

Binaling ko na lamang ang atensyon sa supot na inabot sa'kin ni Xia pag dating niya kanina. te qa"Ano pala ang good news?" tanong ko habang marahang binuklat ang plastic, na ang laman ay pastillas, yema at sampaloc mga pagkaing pinaglilihian ko.

Ngayon na lang ulit ako nakaramdam ng gana sa pagkain dahil hindi na sanay malamnan ng marami ang tiyan ko, siguro nanibago.

Lahat ng mga pagkain na kinakain ko na hindi galing sa hospital ay bigay ni Xia. Madalas ako nitong kulitin sa pagkain na gusto ko, minsan ay nahihiya ako pero makulit talaga at pipilitin ako, ang ending ay mapapapayag ako nito na bilhan.

Madami na nga akong utang.

"May magbabayad na ng bills mo galing sa charity, sagot na nila lahat," Xia exclaimed joyfully. Nakaramdam ako ng pagasa sa dala niyang balita.

"Totoo? Salamat Xia. Salamat sa pagasikaso sa mga kailangan ko sa hospital. I am very clueless and weak to even find a way to get out of this hospital. It's not possible for me to recover without your help, Nurse Xia," Naiyak ako at mahigpit na niyakap si Xia. Thank you is not enough.

Malaki ang pasalamat ko kay Xia. She remained dedicated on supporting and nurturing me back to health and wholeness. I can feel that she was doing it not just because I was her patient, but because it was what she wanted to do. She was a nurse who had vowed to serve her patients.

Nagkaroon ako ng pagasa. Siguro deserve ko naman 'to? Ang magpatuloy mabuhay at umasa na may naghihintay para sa'kin.

It's not my fault that they did me wrong.

Nandoon pa din ang kaba at takot na nararamdaman ko sa posibilidad na makatagpo ko muli ang mga masasamang taong nanakit sa akin. Pero mas higit ang nais kong makalabas sa hospital. Nakaka-suffocate at nakakalungkot dito, hindi ko ma-imagine na tatagal pa muli ako ng isang linggo na nakahiga sa hospital bed.

"Don't mention it. I'm happy I could help you. I know you have a kind heart and deserve to smile again. Even though you haven't shared your past with me, I can sense the pain you carry. Just keep holding on, Lucy, oh diba English 'yon!" I smiled at what Xia told me.

Tama ang aking kaibigan. I am indeed tough, Iniisip ko pa lang kung paano ako pinahirapan ng mga masasamang taong bumihag sa akin. I'm still alive and kicking after all the torture I experienced.

I was subjected to forced labor and deprived of food and water for days by those individuals. If I made a mistake, I would be physically harmed. This was the agonizing reality I endured for several months while under the control of these evil individuals. My body was covered in bruises and wounds, scattered across different parts of my body. The physical abuse I endured has left its marks, a painful reminder of the cruelty I suffered.

Isa sa mga pinakamalala ay ang paghampas nila sa aking ulo na nagbunga ng aking pagkalimot.

The wounds inflicted upon me are gradually healing, but the scars they left behind serve as a permanent reminder of the trauma I endured. I have forgotten some of the things that were done to me by those individuals. However, I believe that it would be better for me to forget those parts of my memory.

I wish that the acts of violence and abuse would remain among the forgotten, hoping that it would make it easier for me to endure without the burden of remembering. Pero kung 'yon ay parte ng pag-recover nang ala-ala ko ay titiisin ko.

"WALA ka na bang nakalimutan?" Xia asked. I was already cleared from the hospital and ready to go.

I nodded in response. I didn't have much belongings, puros damit lang na bigay sa'kin galing sa mga donations sa hospital.

Sinipat ko ang sarili, pakiramdam ko naman ay nakabawi bawi na ako ng lakas.

I tightly held the paper given to me by the doctor. It was the prescription for my baby. Medications, vitamins, and milk. It seemed like I needed to find a job and save up for our needs during my pregnancy.

I didn't know how long this situation would last. I couldn't remember anything, and I had no one to rely on for me and my baby.

I walked behind Xia, clutching the paper tightly. Tapos na ang shift ni Xia, at inalok niya akong doon na sa kanila tumuloy. Nang una, tumanggi ako, nakakahiya kasi siguradong makaka-istorbo ako sa kanila, pero dahil si Xia ang kaibigan ko siya ang mananalo.

Nabawasan ang kaninang alalahanin ko 'yon kung saan ako tutuloy, ni piso nga ay wala ako.

"Huwag ka na kasing mahiya. Hindi ko din kayang iwan ka at si baby mo. Medyo maninibago ka lang sa bahay mukha ka pa namang mayaman," Xia, still wearing her all-white nursing uniform, looked beautiful with her heart-shaped face, tall stature, and dark complexion. Her flowing black hair added to her striking appearance.

Although I felt ashamed to burden my friend, it was better to accompany her. This way, I would have someone knowledgeable in caring for me and my baby.

I disagreed with what Xia said about me looking rich. Baka nga walang nagaaruga sa'kin, walang nagmamahal.

"Maraming salamat talaga Xia hindi ko alam saan ako pupulutin kung wala ka," I smiled genuinely at my friend. One day, I would be able to repay her kindness.

She glanced at me, her eyes filled with not just pity but genuine compassion. We had grown close, treating each other like sisters, and she didn't hesitate to invite me into their small and humble way of life.

Malaki ang pasasalamat ko na may tao na nandiyan para tulungan ako kahit wala naman kaming malalim na pinagsamahan.

"Ay hala, maliit na bagay," Xia replied. Pumara siya ng tricycle.

As the tricycle traversed the bumpy road, I observed my surroundings. The path was unpaved, and trees lined the sides of the road. Malayo sa siyudad, wala masyadong mga tao at sasakyan.

Huminto ang tricycle sa gilid ng daan. "Dito na lang ho kami kuya," Xia said as she got off, and I followed her. Sinalubong ako ng malamig na hangin. Kumawala ang ilang buhok naka supil sa gilid ng aking tenga.

Mula sa aming kinatatayuan ay tanaw ko ang bahay na hindi kalakihan, gawa ito sa semento, simple, malinis, at maraming naka display na halaman sa harapan.

"Iyon ang amin," Xia said. I nodded and followed my friend.

Sa kabila ng mga alinlangan sa mga nangyayari sa akin, kung madalas ay pinanghihinaan ako ng loob nandoon pa din ang determinasyo na magpatuloy.

Kahit pa maubos ako, mananatili akong lumalaban.

At sana kung dumating sa punto mapagod na ako ay may duting para masandalan ko.

Sa pangalwang pagkakataon aasa ako na dumating ang iniasam ng puso ko. Hindi ko matukoy kung sino o an, pero kilala ng puso ko...

I hope...