Scene — 11:24 AM | Harvard Mental Facility, Quezon Branch
I arrived at the place where I could finally see Mom.
Harvard Mental Facility. Sounds fancy. Smells like alcohol and trauma.
I entered like a boss—chin up, chest out, budget confidence in full display.
"Excuse me, world. A dramatic son just entered the building."
The guards barely looked at me. Probably used to people like me—delulu but polite.
Then I heard it.
A woman. Screaming. Crying. Wild.
Like she was arguing with the air itself.
"Lumayo kayo! Lahat kayo magnanakaw!"
"Hindi ko sinabi 'yan! Bakit nyo akong ginanyan?!"
My heart dropped.
I've heard that voice before.
I kept walking—slow motion style. Like a sad music video at 144p.
Camera angle moving up and down in front of me. Zoom in. Slight wind. No fan. Just emotion.
Then I saw her.
Hair messy. Eyes wild. Skin pale from too many lost nights.
She wasn't sure who I was.
But I was sure.
My eyes began to tear up before my brain could even stop it.
"Mom…"
She didn't look at me. She was still yelling at the ghosts in her head.
"Sinira nila ako! Sinira nila tayo! Anak—asan ang anak ko?!"
I clenched my fists. My smile disappeared. My voice got stuck somewhere between love and guilt.
"I'm here, Ma… I've always been here."
---
I stood there, staring through the glass.
And I saw her—my mom.
Tangled hair. Blank stare. Screaming at the wall like it owed her money.
That's her… my mom…
My heart ached.
I bit my lip, eyes stinging.
I'm not ready.
I need more time.
I turned around like a bad boy in a cheap music video.
Hands in pockets. Hoodie up. Camera zooming in on my emotional breakdown.
Scammers… you ruined her.
You ruined everything.
I swear I'll make you pay.
Let's see how far your lies can go when I'm coming after you.
Then—bam.
I tripped. Face-first.
"AHHH! Put—!"
People stared. Judged.
Some kid even pointed.
So I did what any emotionally unstable hero would do:
Grabbed a random piece of trash. Stood up. Brushed it off.
"Heh... just picking up litter. Save the planet."
Everyone nodded slowly and walked away.
Dignity? Gone.
But the mission continues.
I resumed my walk.
Like nothing happened. Slow motion ulit. May konting limping lang.
---
Scene — 10:08 AM | Department Lobby
After that chaotic bad boy walk, I returned to the department like nothing happened.
Shoulders back. Head high. Confidence still overflowing, kahit may konting putik sa sapatos.
I am vengeance. I am justice. I am—wait.
And then I saw it.
Rachel. Kissing a guy.
On the lips. In public. With witnesses.
With me.
I froze like a lagging video on bad Wi-Fi.
...Maybe it tastes better than mine?
Rachel opened her eyes. Saw me.
Immediately pulled away from the guy.
She looked awkward. Guilty, even.
"Babe? Who's that?" the guy asked.
Rachel, almost whispering, said, "H-him? Uhh… I don't know. Maybe maintenance?"
Ouch.
She hit me with the "I don't know him" like I was some random NPC with a broom.
But I didn't flinch. No reaction. Just the classic Hawkins face.
Let the world burn, but keep walking like your heart isn't on fire.
I walked straight to the Director's Office.
Back straight. Ego intact.
Even if my soul just tripped and face-planted in emotional mud.
---
Scene — 10:12 AM | Director's Office
I barged into the office like a hoodlum on a mission.
Hands slammed on the desk—side by side—like a landlord demanding overdue rent.
The Director looked up. Our eyes locked.
It felt like a Wild West showdown—minus the cowboy hats, but with more tension and unpaid emotions.
"Good afternoon, sir."
Then, with the fakest smile in Metro Manila, I reached out and shook his hand.
"I'm ready to work, sir. Let's catch some scammers."
Forget the kiss. Forget Rachel.
Focus. You're here for revenge.
You're here for justice.
You're here because you have… nothing else.
---
Scene — 10:24 AM | Department Hallway
After that certified handshake with the Director, I stormed out like a mafia member chasing unpaid debts.
Approved agad kahit baguhan?
Talent. Charm. And... mild delulu.
But then—
"Ryan… wait."
I froze.
Cue dramatic zoom. Heartbeat sound. Inner chaos.
I turned around—wearing my full suit of fake confidence like a battle-hardened knight. Internally bleeding.
"Yeah? What is it?"
Rachel looked awkward. Guilty.
"Yung… yung kanina. I didn't know na nakita mo…"
"Oh that? Haha. No worries. Was just on my way to, uh… mop some justice."
"Ryan… I'm sorry."
I shrugged. Smile fake enough to win acting awards.
"It's okay."
She looked like she wanted to say more.
"Pwede ba tayo maglakad… sandali lang?"
Suddenly, I held my head. "Ow—whoa. Bigla akong nahilo."
"Hala, okay ka lang? Bakit?"
She stepped closer, trying to check my forehead. I gently pulled back.
"Ahh baka headache lang. Wag mo na isipin. Mauna na ako… may nililigpit pa akong scammer."
She nodded. Smiled faintly.
And me?
I turned away. Fixed my imaginary suit.
And walked off.
Back to mafia mode.
Back to pretending I wasn't hurt.
It's fine. Totally fine.
Who needs love when you've got… vengeance and unresolved trauma?
---
[Thank you for reading.Godbless]