Nakatulala akong nakatingin sa kisame habang nakahiga. Pumunta ako sa kwarto ni Dia kanina pero narinig kong may kausap syasa phone kaya hindi ko na ginulo. Kausap nya yung love of her life nya. Mukhang umuusad na sila.
Nang makapasok ako sa kwarto ay wala ng ibang nasa isip ko kung hindi si Kian. Kian's words filled my head. His confession, it's seems like I was on cloud nine but at the same time I was afraid.
"Mahal kita, Athena. More than words could ever describe."
When I remember it again my face heat up. Gumulong gulong ako sa kama dahil sa kilig na nararamdaman. Para na ko tangang nakangiti habang iniisip yon. Pero agad din yung nawala.
Gulong gulo na ko sa nararamdaman ko! I want to try and let him. But at the same time... pinangungunahan ako nang takot. Takot sa pwedeng mangyari kung sakaling hayaan ko sya. Takot sa kung anong pwedeng gawin ni Dad. At takot na baka masaktan ko sya. Kanina pa yon paulit ulit sa utak ko. It was like a broken record that was playing over and over again.
Hindi nya ko hinayaang magsalita pagkatapos nyang mag-confess. Wala muna daw akong dapat sabihin. Ang sabi nya, hayaan ko daw muna syang gawin yung part nya. Hindi ko sya maintindihan, but he only told me to not overthink.
And not just that! How can I face him tomorrow now that I know that the two of us like each other? He still doesn't know that I like him though. But still! Will be awkward? Will something change? Gusto ko sya pero... I know loving him back had consequences. Kaya hindi alam ang dapat kong gawin.
Napabuntunghininga nalang ako sa mga pumapasok sa isip ko. Dumako ang tingin ko sa study table kung saan nakalagay ang iilang papeles. Oh right I have work tomorrow.
"Cr*p." Napaupo ako ng may maalala. I have two meetings I need to attend tomorrow. At yung unang meeting ay medyo maaga. Kailangan ko ng matulog ng maaga, ang aga pa man din ng meeting bukas. Inayos ko na yung higa ko at pumikit.
...
...
...
The hell???? Ilang oras na akong nakapikit hindi pa din ako makatulog.
Second attempt!
...
...
...
Napamulat ako ng mata ang maalala nanaman yung nangyari kanina. Kasalanan mo toh Kian!!! Look at what happen to me! Hindi ako makatulog. Sya nalang ang nasa isip ko.
I look at the wall clock and it's already past 2! Think of something else! My plushies! My plushies always help me to fall asleep.
Agad kong kinuha yung malaking teddy bear malapit sa higaan ko. Niyakap ko yon at pumikit. But then I remember that this teddy bear is the one Kian and I got when we play at the arcade. Because of that, I toss it aside. Pero agad akong bumangon at nilagay yon kung saan sya nakalagay, I even said sorry for tossing him. Naiinis akong bumalik sa higaan.
Ano ba yan??!! My head is full of Kian!
Kasalanan toh ni Kian! Pano ako makakatulog neto? Should I start counting sheep? Effective daw yon sabi ni Dia.
One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four sheep, five sheep, six sheep, seven sheep, eight sheep, nine sheep, ten sheep, eleven sheep, twelve sheep, thirteen sheep, fourteen sheep, fifteen sheep, sixteen sheep, seventeen sheep, eighteen sheep, nineteen sheep, twen-
*Yawn*
Oh it's working, I should continue.
Twenty sheep, twenty one sheep, twenty two sheep, twenty three sheep, twenty four sheep...
Nakatulog naman ako dahil don. I woke up at the sound of my alarm clock ringing. Naiinis ko itong pinatay at bumalik sa pagkakahiga. I was about fall asleep again when my phone started ringing. Naiinis akong umupo habang nakapikit parin. Kinapkap ko sa side table yung phone ko at kinuha yon.
I slowly opened my eyes and look at my phone. I also always set an alarm on my phone in case I didn't wake up. It always work all the time. I swipe it upward to stop it from ringing and check the time.
Lagpas 7:00 na???
Dali dali akong tumayo at pumunta sa banyo. I took a quick bath and pick the clothes I first laid my eyes on at agad nagpalit. I quickly head downstairs with my things.
I'll make a quick sandwich for breakfast. Nang makababa ako ay nadatnan ko yung mga kaibigan ko na kumakain.
Nakita kong masayang kumakain si Dia. Looks like she's fine. Thank god.
"Morning." Bati ko sakanila ata bumati din sila pabalik. Naglakad ako papuntang kusina pero bago pa ako makapasok ay nagsalita si Courtney.
"Your not gonna join us?" Tango lang ang sinagot ko sakanya bago pumasok sa kusina. Pagkapasok ko ay binaba ko yung gamit ko sa lamesa.
Kumuha ako ng tinapay at nilagay sa toaster. Niready ko na yung mga ingredients. The moment I place them at the table, bumukas yung pinto and Kian came in.
Bigla ko namang naalala ulit yung nangyari kahapon. How should I act? I cleared my throat. Hindi na ko tumingin sakanya.
"Did you eat?" Tanong ko habang inaayos yung mga ingredients.
"Hindi pa." Tumango ako sa sagot nya. Buti nalang apat na tinapay yung nilagay ko sa toaster. Kumuha ako ng maliit na tupperware sa cabinet para paglagyan ng sandwich. Sa kotse nalang namin kakainin.
"It's rare for you to wake up this late." Komento nya.
And who's fault do you think that is?! It's your fault Kian!
"I think it's because I slept in the park yesterday." That was a lie obviously. "Hindi ako nakatulog agad."
Narinig kong nag 'ting' yung toaster kaya kinuha ko yon at nilagay sa pinggan.
Nagsimula na akong maglagay ng kung ano ano sa tinapay. Natigilan ako ng maramdaman kong nakatingin sya sa akin. Nakakailang.
"What?"
"I didn't know your capable of making something." Saad nya at sumandal sa counter.
I suddenly felt annoyed. What does he mean by that? What does he take me for? A person who can't do simple task?
"I can do just as this much." Naiinis kong saad at narinig ko syang tumawa.
Hanggang ngayon aasarin nya ko? Hobby nya na ata talagang inisin ako. Now I regret making him a sandwich. Nakatitig lang sya sa akin pero hindi ko na sya pinansin. Matapos kong malagay yung mga palaman ay kumuha ako ng kutsilyo.
I cut the sandwich in two diagonally. Ganon din ang ginawa ko sa pangalawa. I carefully put them in the tupperware and close it with the lid. Magliligpit na sana ako ng makitang lumapit sya sakin.
"I'll help." Hinayaan ko nalang sya. Nang matapos ay kinuha ko yung gamit ko at lumabas na kami ni Kian at nakitang nakatingin ang mga kaibigan ko sa amin. What's this strange atmosphere?
"Uhm Blair." Nagsalita si Tianna habang binababa yung utensils nya.
"Yes?"
"Wala ba kaming dapat malaman?" Tanong nya bago tumingin kay Kian.
???
Lahat sila nakatingin sa amin na parang may hinihintay na sagot.
"What is it?" Tanong ko naman and I notice they're hesitating if they're gonna ask what they're gonna ask or not. Napatingin ulit ako sa phone at nakita ang oras. 40 minutes nalang, malelate na ko. And lagpas 30 minutes ang byahe.
"Ask me later." Tumingin ako sakanila at ngumiti. "Malelate na ko."
"Later." Matapos non ay lumabas na kami ni Kian. Agad kaming sumakay sa kotse pagkalabas namin, sumakay si Kian sa driver seat at sumakay naman ako sa back seat. He started driving. At binuksan ko yung tupperware para kainin yung sandwich na ginawa ko. I took one and started eating it.
"Gusto mo?" Tanong ko sakanya habang nilalabas ang laptop ko sa bag.
"I want to eat it but i'm driving Athena." Sagot nya pero nagsalita ulit sya agad. "But I can eat it if..."
"If?" Binuksan ko yung laptop para inotify sila na baka malate ako.
"If you feed me." Natigil ako sa pagtatype at tumingin sakanya nang marinig ang sinabi nya. Kumabog ang dibdib ko dahil don. Why? I don't know either! How can he say shameless things without getting embarrassed? Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa laptop.
"Hindi kita abot." Pagdadahilan ko, but it's true. He's on the driver seat while i'm at the backseat.
"Lipat ka." Saad nya na parang hinugot nya ang kung anuman para lang sabihin yon. Napatingin ulit ako sakanya. He was biting his lips while his eyes is focus on the road.
"Wala namang masyadong tao o sasakyan sa daan." Nakita kong sandali syang huminga ng malalim. "I... I can stop the car para makalipat ka."
Parang hindi ko ata kaya yon. Now that I know his feelings towards me. I'm more conscious of him than ever. Being close to him and not to mention feeding him, I think my heart will explode, hindi ko kakayanin. Wala namang makakakita sa amin pero nandon parin yung thought na masyadong intimate yung scene, we will look like a couple.
"Kainin mo nalang mamaya." Saad ko bago nag send ng email sa secretary.
"Okay." Ramdam ko sa boses nya na nadissapoint sya sa sagot ko. Now I regret saying that. But I won't be able to do it anyway. I grab the sandwich again and eat.
After 30 mins nakarating na kami sa meeting place. Nilagay ko yung tupperware sa passenger seat sabay sabing,
"Make sure to eat it. Alam kong Hindi ka pa kumakain." Hindi ko na tinignan ang reaksyon nya at bumaba. Pumasok na ako sa building at dumiretso sa room kung saan gaganapin yung meeting.
I was almost late, yes almost. Luckily I wasn't. When I enter the room the meeting starts immediately. Mabilis lang natapos since mostly presentation lang. Matapos non ay isa isa na silang lumabas. Lumapit sa akin yung secretary. "Here's the documents and files about today's meeting." She said and handed them to me.
"Thank you."
"Then if you'll excuse me." Umalis na sya pagkatapos non. Nang makalabas sya ay nilagay ko sa bag ang mga yon, tsaka bumaba.
I texted Kian kasi hindi ko alam kung saan sya nag park. Sinabi nya naman na hintayin ko nalang sya malapit sa entrance kaya naglakad na ko.
Wala na din naman akong gagawin dito besides sa mga papeles na kailangan kong lingunin. Gagawin ko nalang sila sa amusement park. Pagkalabas ko ay nakita ko agad si Kian na naghihintay sa labas ng kotse. Bakit pa sya bumaba? Nang makita nya ko ay agad nyang binuksan yung backseat kaya pumasok na ko.
"Where are we heading?" He ask the moment he took his seat and started driving.
"Amusement park." I said and he nodded.
"The sandwich." Nagsalita ulit sya.
"Hmm?" What about it? Hindi ba masarap? Well i'm not a professional-
"Thanks for the sandwich." Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti sa sinabi nya.
Simple words means a lot.
"Your welcome." I said, my lips curve into a smile. "How was it?"
Baka hindi pala masarap para sakanya.
"Masarap." Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko dahil don. "Should I ask you to do it again?"
He wanted it again?
"Don't push your luck." Pagsusungit ko, narinig ko syang natawa. "I only made it because I was late."
"Should I pray for you to be late then?" He said, a bit amuse. "So I can eat them again?"
"Hey!" I protest and he laugh. "You shouldn't pray for something like that!"
Hearing his soft laugh, is like there's a beautiful melody was being played. Its not new to hear him laugh but hearing it again and again, it seems like that melody became my favorite. My worries that something will change between us fly away like it wasn't even there.
"Make them again."
"No! If you stop being annoying then I might make one for you." Seryoso ako sa sinabi ko. Kasi naman hindi matatapos ang isang araw na magkasama kami ng hindi nya ako iniinis.
"That won't be possible." Nakita kong sumeryoso yung mukha nya pero kita parin sa mga mata nya na parang nag eenjoy sya. "My day isn't complete without seeing you annoyed."
"What??!!"
"Annoying you is in my to do list, Athena."
Who does that??!!
"Honestly, I think annoying you became my hobby." He said and laughed again.
???
Okay I take that back. His laugh isn't a beautiful melody. It's annoying! An annoying melody is being played!
Matapos non puro nakakainis na yung mga lumalabas sa bibig nya hanggang sa makarating kami sa park. Ginawa ko sa office ng park yung mga kailangan kong gawin. Then nung matapos ko yon lumabas ako para i-check kung ano nang nangyari sa paghahanda namin. And so far everything is going well.
Umalis kami sa park ni Kian mga bandang 3:00 pm dahil sa last meeting ko for today. Medyo nagtagal yung meeting kaya mga bandang 6 na nya ako naihatid sa bahay.
Umalis din sya kaagad dahil may part-time job pa daw sya.
Umakyat na ako sa taas para mag pahinga. When I enter my room, I quickly collapse on the bed and close my eyes.
I miss my bed.
Agad akong nakarinig ng katok sa labas.
"The door is open." I didn't bother getting up. Too tired.
Nakita kong pumasok sina Dia sa kwarto ko. Sumunod naman ang iba sa kanya, when I mean yung iba, literal na silang lahat. Dia, Waive, Tianna, Courtney, Lindon, Ali and Jaden.
Anong ginagawa nila dito?
As if to hear my thoughts Courtney spoke.
"It's about what we wanted to ask this morning." Umupo sila sa kama ko. Umupo rin ako ng marinig yon.
"Yeah?"
"Okay, hindi na kami magpapaligoy ligoy pa." Tianna spoke.
I nodded giving them a go signal.
"May relasyon na ba kayo ni Kian?" Diretso nyang tanong. Halos manlaki ang mata ko sa tanong nya.
"What?! Where did you get that idea?" Tanong ko, I mean I would like that but also not. Anyway Kian and I are not together.
"So hinahanap ko si Waive kahapon at nakita ko sya sa labas ng green house kagabi." Tumingin sya sa akin na parang tinitignan yung reaksyon ko. "Nilapitan ko sya at nakita ko na nakikinig sya sa usapan ninyong dalawa ni Cyrus sa loob."
???
What? Lumingon ako kay Waive.
"You were eavesdropping?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.
Sumeryoso yung mukha nya at nagsalita. "It's not like i'm the only one who likes to pry on people secretly."
Now he's putting the blame on me. He must be talking about the day I eavesdrop when he ask me for help when Tianna and him were having a quarrel.
"I was looking for you because I need to tell you something. And because of what happen yesterday..." Tumingin sya kay Dia bago ulit tumingin na akin. "You would be somewhere that you can be alone, and I happen to find you with Cyrus inside. Not wanting to bother you, I decided to leave. And I was about to, when I heard him say that he has something to confess to you."
I stared at him blankly.
"I got curious so I stayed for a bit and then Tia found me." Se look at Tianna and look back at me. "And... we... we heard his whole confession."
They stayed???
"Pero umalis na din kami agad nung pagkasabi nya ng 'Mahal kita, Athena. More than word could ever describe.' sayo." Tianna said. "So are you two in a relationship?"
I stressfully put my hands on my face because that. If they heard his whole confession then that explains why they're acting a little weird this morning. They're curious on how it went.
"The two of you are acting the same so we thought that..." This time Dia was the one who spoke.
They thought that Kian and I are in a relationship.
"Ain't no way you two are acting the same if you rejected him." Lindon said.
Huminga ako ng malalim.
"We're not together." I firmly said.
All of them said 'what'.
So I told them everything that happened yesterday. I told them that Kian just wanted to confess and ask me to let him do his part.
"So nanliligaw sya?" Nakangiting tanong ni Tianna.
"I don't know." Sagot ko, hindi ko alam ang dapat sabihin. "Sinabi nyang gusto nya kong i-pursue but I never confirmed it, hindi naman nagbago pakikitungo nya sa akin. And he never ask for my thoughts."
"I've never been in a relationship before but does that mean he doesn't want to commit a relationship with you? I mean, you told us that he was here for the long run. Pero pagkatapos ng confession na yon, walang nagbago sa inyo." Lahat kami napatingin kay Ali nang magsalita sya. "Sayo na din nanggaling that he didn't ask you on what your thoughts on his confession."
They all gave her a warning look.
"What? Did I say something I shouldn't have?" She ask, a little confuse. "Then pretend I didn't say anything."
Napa facepalm naman si Lindon dahil don. "Seriously, read the room sometimes."
After that Lindon smoothly change the subject -in which he's good at- because of the heavy atmosphere. At alam din nilang hindi lang confession ni Kian ang inaalala ko.
I was joking and laughing with them but I can't take my mind of on what Ali said earlier. She means we'll but her words stings sometimes. Pero hindi ko din naman masabi na hindi pumasok sa isip ko yung tanong nya kanina.
I'm not entirely oppose of not having a relationship with Kian. Because I know someone who will oppose to it, Dad. Especially now that it's seems like he's setting me up to that guy Alexis.
I felt a sting in my chest when I heard someone say that Kian might not want to have a commitment with me. I mean nanggaling na kay Kian na we live in a two different worlds so I shouldn't be surprised. At alam ko din sinabi nyang ayaw nyang dadaan lang sya sa buhay ko. But the uncertainties and what if's are playing on my mind.
And I also don't want to be selfish and ask him to be together with me. I don't want to be greedy. Lalo na't alam kong may possibility na masasaktan ko sya.
There's a part of me that tells me to be selfish but how could I?
Dumaan ang mga araw at anniversary na ng amusement park. I never bring it up again, I never talk to Kian about it. My thoughts, the what if's, the uncertainties I felt. Gusto kong magtanong kung ano bang balak nya sa relasyon naming dalawa. Pero natatakot ako sa kung ano man ang pwedeng maging sagot nya. So whenever Kian tried to bring it up, I always swiftly avoid them. Takot ako sa possibility na gustong nyang magkaroon kami ng malalim na relasyon, I dont want to pull him in my world full of chaos. Also the possibility that he didn't want to commit to me, cause I know it will hurt a lot. So I never bring it up, for both our peace.
We're getting ready for opening the park for this important day. Ginawa namin ang lahat para maging memorable ang araw na toh, hindi lang sa mga taong dadalo kundi pati na rin sa amin na nagtrabaho para sa anniversary ng park.
I'm standing near the entrance with the staff while holding some stamp cards to distribute to people when they enter the park. What are the stamp cards for? It's a little event we came up with.
Para syang game, they're gonna find the staff's who are roaming around the park wearing costumes. When they find those staff's, the staff will stamp the stamp cards. Kapag nakompleto yon, may prizes silang makukuha.
At the back of the cards are the list of the animals (staff in costume) they needed to find. Nasa likod din ang mechanics. There are a total of 12 staff who are wearing animal costumes, such as cat, dog, mice, bunny, panda, duck, bird, deer, fox, penguin, puma and tiger. Those costumes are some kind of like pajamas style with hoodies, it's covering their whole body except for their face. Anyway those staff's are in their designated spot and people will find them.
The prize for the first 3 person to complete in collecting stamp is gonna get two vip tickets the next time they visit.
I don't know if people will participate in it though. But when the staff and I are discussing this, they became so thrilled. It was fun seeing them that way so I agreed.
The guard finally open the gate. Me, the manager Sandra and some staff welcome the people with a bright smile. Pagkapasok nila, binigyan namin sila ng stamp card isa isa at tinanggap naman nila.
The people are entering with excited expression on their face. Those people came with their love ones like their family, friends or lover. Seeing the smile on their face, napangiti din ako. Coming to places with the people you love is always the best. As long as your with the people who make you smile, anywhere you go will be fine.
Bumalik ako sa office ng maubos ang stamp cards na hawak ko. Buong araw ako sa amusement park but I don't have the time to have fun. Why? I have so many paperworks that needed to be done by tomorrow.
It's not like I don't do them, it's just they kept piling up. I should get these done so I can go out and have fun with my friends. Siguradong dadating din sila maya maya.
Magsisimula na sana ako ng makarinig ako ng tatlong katok. Bumukas yon at pumasok si Kian na mukhang kadadating lang. Oh! He was already wearing the costume he was suppose to wear.
Cute.
San sya galing? May emergency sa isang part-time job nya kasi hindi nakapasok yung isang ka workmate nya so he needed to fill in. Wala na rin naman syang ginagawa dito nung nahatid nya na ko kaya pumunta na sya. Sayang din kasi yung kikitain nya.
"Yung pang stamp?" Agad nyang tanong. Agad ko namang kinuha sa drawer ko yung rubber stamp na gagamitin nya.
What does he need the stamp for,you ask? He's one of the staff who will wear a costume and mark the stamping card of the people who will find him.
Honestly, he's against it at first but the staff keeps convincing him that he has no choice but to agree. And when he agree, the look on Catrice face was... I don't know, villain like? It was as if she's up to something.
When the costumes are done, Catrice needs to make adjustments for the wearer. And you know what I notice from that? It was that Kian costume looks much cuter than the others. And when Kian saw it, he look at Catrice annoyingly but the girl just look at him as if she made her revenge. I don't understand it at first.
Kian have no choice but to wear it and the moment he came out wearing a cat costume people in his surrounding keep saying that he's so cute and adorable, honestly I thought so too. But Kian wasn't pleased and Catrice laugh as if she won a battle that's worth to celebrate.
That's when I knew that Kian hates being called cute. What his reason? It was because it makes him look like a child, he said.
The costume looks cute on him but how do I say this? It doesn't suit his mature face. Nung una ko syang makita na ganon yung suot, pinipigilan kong tumawa kasi hindi talaga bagay sakanya. The costume will suit him better if he smiles a bit but whenever he put it on his face turn serious. As if he's being force to wear it.
"Here." I hold out my hand holding the stamp and he came closer to get it.
Seryoso yung mukha nya habang papalapit sa akin. Nadako ang tingin ko sa suot nya bago ulit bumalik sa mukha nya yung tingin ko.
"At least smile Kian, at this rate you'll scare the children." He gave me a side eye because of that.
This is the first time I'm seeing him annoyed because of me. So this is what it feels like to tease someone you like. I think I get why he tease me all the time.
"Cute." Mahina lang ang pagkakasabi ko non pero mukhang narinig nya parin.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue and sigh. "Okay! I'm cute! Happy???"
Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko sa sinabi nya. Lumapit sya sakin at nilagay ang isang maliit na paper bag sa taas ng ulo ko na hindi ko napansin na hawak nya kanina.
"Being called cute by you feels somewhat different." He look at me in the eyes then smile. "Dahil ba galing sayo? It somehow sound good coming from you."
"Huh?" Lutang kong tanong dahil parang hindi rumihistro ang sinabi nya sa utak ko.
"See you later, Athena." Lumabas na sya pagkatapos non.
Kinuha ko yung paper bag na nasa ulo ko at binaba yon. My grip on it tightens as I feel my face heating up.
"How can he say that so suddenly?!" I fan my self. My heart is also beating faster. T*ngina iba talaga yung epekto nya sakin. At bakit nya sinabi yon ng walang pasabi? Agad ko namang tinapik ang pisngi ko na para bang ginigising ang sarili. Okay stop thinking about it, you have work Blair. Wala kang oras para lumandi.
I close my eyes to calm my self.
No thoughts. No thoughts. No thoughts. No thoughts. No thoughts.
After saying that in my head i open my eyes.
"Dahil ba galing sayo? It somehow sound good coming from you."
I almost throw the paper bag I was holding when I remember it again.
"Ahh! Kian! Kian! Kian!" I said. "How can you have this much effect on me?"
I should focus on my work. Napatingin ako sa hawak kong paper bag bago binuksan yon.
"Steamed buns." I mutter. Looks like he got it for me to eat since I didn't have breakfast yet. I can't but smile.
Bakit ako kinikilig??? College student ka na, hindi highschool student Blair. Get your sh*ts together.
I sigh.
Kumuha ako ng isang steamed buns at kumagat don. It taste chocolate? Tinignan ko yun at nakitang may palaman na chocolate.
This is a chocolate steamed buns. How did he know I like sweet things in the morning? Or am I thinking to much? Yeah, he just buy this. There's no way he knows little details like that.
Napansin kong mas lalong lumawak yung ngiti ko, bakit? Umiling nalang ako at nagsimulang magtrabaho.
I didn't even know that it's already lunch time until Sandra bring me lunch. Nagpatuloy lang ako hanggang sa matapos ko na lahat ng paperworks. I stretch my body before looking at the clock hanging in the wall of the office.
Two hours nalang magsisimula na yung parade. The parade is the highlight for today's anniversary. I should rest for a bit before going out. Sumandal ako ng upuan at pumikit. Ang sakit ng likod ko, tumatanda na ba ako?
Ring... ring... ring...
Napamulat ako ng mag ring yung cellphone ko. Kinuha ko yon habang nakasandal parin bago tinignan kung sino yung tumawag. It was Khiana. Agad ko namang sinagot yon.
"Ate Blair." She said in her weak voice.
Your probably wondering why she's calling me. I visited her two days ago.
Yeah I finally visited her. After knowing that she's involve about that incident, I somewhat loss the need to be affiliated with her. But that's just me being emotional and selfish. She's not the one at fault and I wouldn't like it either if she's the one who died.
That's why two days ago I came to apologize. She ask me why I was apologizing but I couldn't tell her the reason. I also visited her yesterday after work when I came to visit my Lola.
Kasama ko din si Kian nung binisita ko si Khiana. It also put me at ease when he came with me.
"Yes? Why did our Khiana called?" I softly ask.
"You told me yesterday about the amusement park." She sai, her voice was weak pero maririnig mo na may excitement sa boses nya, pero bigla syang nalungkot. "I wish I could come"
Natahimik ako sa sinabi nya. She's basically bedridden right now, katatapos lang ng operation nya.
"Want me to show you around?" Tanong ko bago ngumiti. "I'll open the cam for you to see."
"Really?" Her voice became cheerful.
"Yeah." Tumango ako at napa 'Yehey!' naman sya. Cute.
"I want to see Kuya Kian also." Saad nya. "Can you sight see together with me?"
"Sure hahanapin ko sya." Tumayo na ako. "He's working so... it might take time to find your kuya Kian."
"Work?" Tumango ako kahit di nya nakikita. Naka off cam kasi kaming pareho.
"He's wearing a costume today." Saad ko ng maalala ulit yung kanina.
Binuksan ko na yung pinto para lumabas.
"I want to see!" Excited nyang sabi, natawa naman ako.
Hindi na ako nakasagot kay Khiana ng may makita akong tatlong tao sa labas ng office. Agad kong pinatay yung tawag at initsa sa couch yung cellphone ko bago pa sila makaharap sa akin.
They smell bad news. Baka madamay pa si Khiana. I don't know if icm just overthinking it. But the way they dressed is not something you'll wear here at the amusement.
They were wearing an all black get up while having a mask to hide their face. My eyes fall on the gun that they have on the side of their waist.
"Who are you?" I ask the three of them.
Tumingin yung isang lalaki dun sa isang pang lalaki at tumingin yung lalaki na yon dun sa isang lalaki. Wait ang gulo.
I'm gonna call them... one, two and three. Anyway nagkatinginan silang tatlo.
"Mukhang hindi na natin kailangan kumatok." Sabi ni Two kay One.
"Yeah less hassle." Tumango naman si One.
"Bakit kayo kakatok, mga inutil?!" Saad ni Three.
"Manners Sir. Hindi nyo ba alam yon?" Tanong ni One.
Bumuntunghininga si Three na parang pasan nya lahat ng kamalasan sa mundo at hindi na sumagot. Tumingin naman silang lahat sa akin matapos ang iilang segundong katahimikan.
"Do you still remember me, princess?" Tanong ni Three.
"No."
"Figure's, since it's been a while and i'm wearing a mask. Anyway you have two option, princess." Tinignan ko si Three nang magsalita sya. "Sumama ka sa amin o–"
"Or? What's the other option?" I still don't know who are they but it's best to play along and I can escape later when I had the chance, if they're really bad news.
I can't fight all of them at once. And I don't know if I can beat them 1vs1 or 1vs3 since I only know a few self defense from Tianna. And most of all, lalaki sila. Natural na malakas sila kesa sakin. Well maybe except for Tianna.
"The other option is we'll force you to come with us by any means," Saad nito. "May it be by force or violence."
"Ang ganda pakinggan non noh?" Napatingin kaming dalawa ni Three nang magsalita si One.
"Oo nga ang cool." Sagot naman ni Two. "The other option is we'll force you to come with us by any means, may it be by force or violence." Panggagaya nya sa sinabi ni mask three.
Napa facepalm naman si Three nang marinig yon. Kita ko sa mata nya na parang pagod na sya sa dalawa.
"Sobrang villain like eh noh?" Tumawa silang pareho maliban kay Three. Seems like he had it rough.
"Tumawa ka rin kaya." Baling ni One kay Three. "Yung tawa nang masasama."
"Nice idea!" Saad ni Two at nakipag-apir kay One.
They're idiots. And Three seems like the only normal in their group or the only one who's sane.
"Shut up!" Sigaw nya sa dalawa.
Nabawasan yung kaba ko nang dahil sa nakikita ko. But I can't let my guard down. Humarap sa akin si Three.
"Our boss wants to see you." Saad nito.
Who?
"He said you might know who he is if we say this." He look at me with his sharp eyes. "Since you prefer to call him that way. He's the one you call the Fox."
Sumeryoso ang mukha ko sa narinig ko.
It's not good if I come there. I should do what they ask then escape later when I got the chance. I take a deep breath before speaking. Walang tao sa paligid kasi sigurado akong nasa gitna na sila ng park for the parade.
"Sure I'll go." Saad ko.
"Yun naman pala." Nagsalita ulit si Two. "Hindi na tayo mahihirapan."
Tumingin ako kay Three ng makita syang nakatingin sa akin. He still cautious. And he seems familiar.
Sinarado ko yung pinto para maglakad papunta sakanila. Honestly I'm scared.
"Lead the way." Saad ko at nagsimula naman maglakad sina One at Two sa harap ko habang nasa likod ko naman Three. He didn't even let his guard down.
Habang naglalakad naramdaman kong papalapit sa akin si Three mula sa likod.
I saw in my peripheral vision that he took out a handkerchief in his pocket. Does it have sleeping subtances? I don't know if i'm just overthinking it but it's better to be suspicious. Isa pa natatakot na din ako sa presensya nya.
I should run. It might seems cowardly but i'm not a fighter. It's the only thing I can do at this moment.
Tumakbo ako agad ng maisip ko yon. When I reach One and Two, I swing my legs to kick One legs, dahilan para mawalan sya nang balanse at matumba. And I quickly throw a punch at Two before he can even react when I attack One. There's a loud thud when they hit the floor. I quickly run as fast as possible as if my life depends on it.
"Did you let your guard down? Masyado kayong maluwag!" Sigaw ni mask three sa dalawa. "After her you f*cking idiots!"
"Ah! Forget it! I should've known." Iniwan nya na yung dalawa at hinabol ako.
And what in the actual hell??? How can he run so fast? I run even faster but he's still closing in. Alam kong i'm someone with weak physical abilities pero ang bilis nya talagang tumakbo. Maybe on par with a national athlete.
He jump at me and immediately pin me to the ground holding the back of my neck nang padapa akong bumagsak sa sahig. Nagasgas yung pisngi ko dahil don. He quickly grab both my hands with his free hand and grip it tightly, making me unable to move freely. Pilit akong kumakawala sakanya but he was too strong.
"You should've come with us quietly." Saad nya before he cover my nose and mouth with the handkerchief I saw earlier.
Nanlaki ang mata ko at pilit na kumakalas sakanya. Hindi ako huminga ng dahil don, dahil siguradong pag nakalanghap ako non ay mawawalan ako ng malay. But I guess it was to late since I suddenly felt drowsy and my whole body is becoming heavier by the second.
"Nahuli mo Sir Dylan?" Tanong ng isa nyang kasama. Hindi ko makita kung sino yung nagsalita.
"Bulag ba kayo o sadyang bobo lang?" Naiinis na ani ni Three.
Wait... Dylan? You mean the right hand of that fox?
"F*cking idiots! This girl is smart for what she's worth. Don't let your guard down." Saad ni Three. "Carry her."
Binitawan nya na ako. Dahil wala na talagang lakas yung yung katawan ko. Naramdaman kong may bumuhat sa akin. Gusto ko mang kumawala pero nawawalan na ko ng malay.
"Hades should replace the two of you seriously."
Hades? So it was really him.
"If I'm not here, she could've escape you two. Both of you are too idiotic..."
Unti unting pumikit ang mga mata ko at hindi ko na marinig ang mga sinasabi nila.
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