An Inconceivable Circumstance

by aybbiii

"Ahm, Amber. I will tell you something," I said in front of her.

We're here in the park, niyaya ko siyang pumunta dito. Because I think it is the right time and the right place to confess my feelings for her.

"Ano 'yon?" She said casually.

"Ahm, Amber." Shit, bakit ba ako kinakabahan?

"Hmm?"

"Ahm I li-ke y--" What the hell is wrong with me? Why can't I just tell it to her? Alonzo did it effortlessly. Where did he get that strength just to blurt it all out?

"You like what?" she said while typing something on her phone.

"Ahmm, I li--ke y--y--y--" She averted her attention to her phone and stared at me with a 'meh' expression, she's waiting for me to continue my statement.

"I li--ke y--, I like yeast!"

"You like what?"

"I said I like yeast."

Wait, what? Ano yung sinabi ko? I like yeast?

"Oh! You're kinda weird haha."

"Hehe." Yan na lang ang mga salitang nasabi ko sa kanya. Hiyang hiya na ako hindi ko alam kung bakit yun yung sinabi ko.

"Seriously bro? Yeast? You like yeast? Sa'n mo naman napulot yun?." Khael said, and at the same time laughing at me.

Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit kanina ay nag aalinlangan pa akong sabihin sa kanila ang nangyari kahapon. Yes, sa kanila.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA malala na yung katorpehan ni pareng Abo." Jeremy said while holding his stomach and laughing at what I've said.

"Why you can't tell to that witch that you like her."

"Oo nga naman Silvan, look at me, pa-chill-chill lang," he said while looking at me. "You should try it sometimes, it's fun."

Ba't parang humahangin ata dito? Di naman bukas yung bintana.

"Ang mahirap kase sayo," Jeremy said while looking at me too. "Masyado kang,"

Why did he stop? Ba't nakatingin na sila saking lahat? Pati ba naman si Ryu?

"TORPE!' they said in unison.

Ugh, I can't believe this. Pati ba naman si Ryu nakikisali sa trip nung dalawang yun.

"Why such a chicken when it comes about telling your feelings?" Ryu said with a serious face.

"Ano Abo, manok ka pala eh." Jeremy said.

"Wag ka ngang ano Jeremy HAHA! Pero syempre ano pa bang aasahan natin kay Ae-Ae, pinanganak na yang torpe noh!"

"Buti nga yeast yung sinabi mo haha! Ano pa kaya kung yakult yun! Anong idadahilan mo kay Amber at nasabi mo yun? Kase--- HAHAHAHA." hindi na niya naituloy ang pagsasalita dahil sa kakatawa.

Ugh, I can't take this anymore di pa ba sila titigil sa pang aasar sakin?

"Kaasar-asar ka naman kase," Khael said, his eyes were too teary. Siguro dahil sa kakatawa.

Pero pano niya nalaman? Nababasa niya ba ang nasa isip ko?

"Silvan, I thought you were a great detective," he emphasizes the word 'great' "Siguro alam mo namang halata sa ekspresyon mo na yun yung iniisip mo."

"Duh!" Jeremy said.

What the argh! Ano ba tong nangyayari sakin?

"Natotorpe ka lang hahaha!" Oh! Here we go again on his second-guessing.

"Can you please stop teasing me, Alonzo?"

"Woah! Sa wakas nagsalita ka narin, 'kala ko naputol na yang dila mo." Jeremy said then he laughed again.

"Whatever guys, do whatever you want in your lives I don't care!" Ryu shouted then he left without saying goodbye.

They both shocked when Ryu shouted but after Ryu gone. Together, they laughed again. What's wrong with them? Nababaliw na ba sila?

"Ba't nag walk-out yun?" Jeremy asked.

"Abugh, Malay ko!" Khael replied then he laughed again. I mean 'they' laughed again.

I stared at them at parang sinasabing 'Kailan ba kayo titigil?'

"Ang KJ talaga ni Abo noh?"

"Oo nga."

I don't know what am I supposed to do, masyado na akong nao-OP sa kanilang dalawa. Sila lang naman kaseng dalawa ang nagkakaintindihan. Parehas kase silang baliw!

I suddenly chuckled because of what am I thinking. And that's the reason why they look at each other and they chuckled too.

"Luh nigagawamue Abo?"

"Nababaliw na ata yan"

Bahala na sila diyan, tutal sila lang namang dalawa ang nagkakaintindihan kaya iiwan ko na sila dun.

I stood up and glance at my watch, it's already 9 o'clock in the evening. Maybe they should go already.

"It's already 9 pm; maybe the two of you should go now," I said to them.

"Anla, pero ----"

"No buts puns," I said to Jeremy. "Alonzo, maybe you should go too baka gabihin na kayo."

Tumayo na sila at tinungo ang daan patungo sa pinto. Paakyat narin ako sa aking kwarto, when Khael suddenly said ----

"Silvan, remember this. Even you are my best buddy I will do anything just to get Special A from you," he suddenly caught my attention "And I love you, bro! Goodnight! Mwahh! "

Then he waves, same as Jeremy. Mikhael Timothy Alonzo, are you hiding something from me?

After I changed my clothes, I jumped to my bed and look at the ceiling. I feel that there's something wrong on what Khael said. After several minutes, I heard a beep from my phone, and there's a message from my beloved friend Khael.

From: Alonzo

Bro, don't take it seriously I know that until now you're still thinking about what I've said before. Bro, I'm just joking! Goodnight! Sweet Dreams, I love you! <3

What's with that heart? Nababakla na naman ba si Alonzo? But even he said that he's just joking, I have a feeling that there's something. Kahit pa twenty years na kaming magkakilala. Pakiramdam ko hindi ko pa siya masyadong kilala. At alam kong di niya kayang gumawa ng nga bagay na iniisip ko, hindi ko parin maiwasang maisip yung mga sinabi niya.

Siguro wag ko na lang seryosohin yung sinabi niya. Kasi sabi nga niya he's just joking.

Pero kanina, he said that he would to everything just to get Amber from me. Maybe I should confess to Amber as soon as possible. Hindi naman sa ayaw ko para sa kanya, I know that Khael is a great man, pero baka di niya lang seryosohin si Amber. Syempre mas gusto ko na sa akin lang ang mahal na prinsesa. Pero di ko alam kung kaya kong gawin yun. Ang sabihin sa kanya ang nararamdaman ko.

I took my phone and texted Amber.

To: Mahal na Prinsesa

Goodnight!

After I texted her, I put my phone on my bedside table and wait for her reply. Ten minutes had passed but I don't receive any reply from her.

Baka naman busy lang siya.

Pinaulit-ulit ko lang 'yan sa isip ko. But, thirty minutes passed again. But again, I don't receive any reply from her. Kinakabahan na ako, ano nang nangyayari sa kanya? Ayos lang ba siya? Maybe I should call her, to confirm if she's fine.

Calling Mahal na Prinsesa...

"Sagutin mo na please." Sh*t! Amber ba't mo ba ako pinapakaba ng ganito.

Tatlong beses kong dinial ang number niya, bago niya ito masagot.

"Amber, are you okay?"

"Huh? Oo naman Gray, ba't mo pala natanong?"

"I thought---"

"You thought what?"

"Nevermind."

"By the way Gray, bakit ka nga pala napatawag?"

"I'm just checking if you were okay, 'di ka kase nagrereply sa text ko kanina. Kaya nag-alala ako hehe!"

"Oh! I'm really sorry, maaga kase akong natulog, Thanks for your concern by the way."

"Ahm, goodnight mahal na prinsesa, matulog ka na po haha!"

"Please drop that 'Mahal na Prinsesa'. Goodnight too!"

Then she ends up our call.

Siguro masyado lang akong nag-iisip. Tinatakot ko lang ang sarili ko na baka may mangyaring masama, kailangan ko lang sigurong itulog ito.

I'm awakened because of the sound that came from my phone. But it's not an alarm. It's a call from an unknown number, so I picked it up. Pero nung sasagutin ko na ito ay bigla iyong naputol.

I checked my phone and I saw several messages from Amber and several missed calls from her too.

I opened her messages.

From: Mahal na Prinsesa

GRAY! HELP ME!!!!

GRAY! HELP ME!!!!

GRAY! HELP ME!!!!

GRAY! HELP ME!!!!

At halos lahat ng message niya ay ganon ang nakalagay. May nangyari bang masama sa kaniya? Nasa panganib ba siya? Sh*t! Sinong gagawa ng masama sa kanya?

I replied to her messages.

To: Mahal na Prinsesa

Asan ka?? Are you okay??

I try to call her but she's not answering it. I tried it several times, but she's not still answering. Siguro busy lang uli siya. Pero ba't siya nag text ng ganoon?

Bumaba na ako sa kama at napagdesisyunang maligo at magpalit ng damit. But after that, someone is calling. It's from the unknown number, na tumawag sakin kanina.

"Hello, who's this?"

"Di mo na kailangan malaman kung sino 'to. By the way, kung gusto mo pang makitang buhay ang girlfriend mo, then find me."

I heard a familiar voice of a man. Kilalang kilala ko kung sinong nag-mamayari ng boses na 'yon. No it can't be, hindi siya yun imposible. Pero sinong Girlfriend? Sinong tinutukoy niya? Wala naman akong girlfriend? Is he reffering to Amber?

"Sh*t s'an mo siya dinala?"

"Di ka ba nakikinig? I told you if you want to see her once again then find me! Good luck!"

Then he ends it up. Sh*t, I need to find Amber pero sa'n ko siya hahanapin?

I woke up with sweat all over my body. It's just a dream, but I thought it was real.

"Amber," I whispered.

Masyadong detalyado ang panaginip ko, alam kong panaginip lang 'yon pero, di mawala sa isip ko na posible paring mangyari yun.

I grab my phone and dialed Amber's number.

"Sh*t! Amber sagutin mo to."

It took three rings before she answered it.

"Amber, where the h*ll are you? Are you okay? May nanakit ba sa'yo? Please tell me!" I don't know why am I crying right now. Is it because I really love her?

"Gray, just calm down. Ayos lang ako, aga-aga ba't ka napatawag?" There's something wrong in her voice.

"Nothing, just stay safe," I told her.

"I will, ibaba ko na 'to." Ba't siya nagmamadaling ibaba ang tawag?

"Amber wait!"

"Mmm?"

"Are you sure that you are really fine?"

"Ahmm syem--pre naman. Sige ibababa ko na talaga 'to." Bakit gan'on ang boses niya?

"Ahm, Amber! I like,"

*tooooooooooooot*

"You."

What the h*ll! kung kailan pa ako nagkalakas ng loob sabihin sa kanya yun, tsaka pa niya binaba!

I tried to call her again, but she did not answer.

I guess, kailangan ko siyang puntahan sa bahay nila. May pakiramdam akong may masamang nangyari sa kanya.

I changed my clothes, at kinuha ang susi ng kotse ko.

Binilisan ko ang pagpapatkbo dito, di ako mapakali pano na lang kung may mangyari? While driving, I feel that there is a liquid on my cheeks.

Amber, what did you do to me? Ba't mo ba ako pinapaiyak?

Atlast nakarating narin ako sa tapat ng bahay nila. Tinakbo ko ang pinto nito tsaka pumasok sa loob.

"Amber!" I shouted, but I didn't hear any answers.

I run to her room, at nagulat ako sa aking nadatnan. Bakit ang gulo? Nagkalat ang mga gamit sa sahig, pero may isang bagay na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. It's piece of paper, at merong nakasulat doon.

Help me

Dali dali akong umalis sa bahay nila at sumakay sa kotse. Habang nasa biyahe, I dialed Math's number.

"Hey Gray!"

"Math nakita mo ba si Amber?"

"Ahmm hindi eh why?"

"Nothing, just text me if you see her." Then I end it.

After that, tinawagan ko si Zywon.

"Hey! Bro."

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Ano 'yon?"

"Can you track Amber's phone?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Just do it."

"Okay."

I need to go on that person, baka siya ang may hawak may Amber. Kagaya nang nasa panaginip ko, ganitong-ganito ang nagyari. Kahit pa, hindi kapani-paniwala na kaya niyang gawin yun. Kailangan ko paring siguraduhin.

I'm here, facing Khael's house. Would I found Amber there? Can I save her? Agad kong pinasok ang bahay ni Khael. I don't care kahit makasuhan ako ng trespassing. I will do everything just to save Amber from him.

I saw Khael standing in front of me, wearing his annoying smile. Yung para bang alam na niyang pupunta ako dito. I badly want to punch him right now, it's because I want it.

Di ko na napigilan ang sarili ko kaya, tinuloy ko na. After I punched him, he's still wearing he's still grinning, habang pinupunasan ang dugo sa gilid ng labi niya.

"Bro, I miss you to. If that is your way to say 'I miss you'."

"Pwede bang wag ka ng magmaang-maangan? Alam mo kung bakit ako nandito."

"Bro, I'm sorry pero 'di ko talaga alam." he said, kasabay ng pagkamot niya sa kanyang ulo.

"Pede bang wag mo nang itago si Amber?" then I pull his shirt, kaya parang nag-iba ang kanyang ekspresyon.

"Silvan, nagkakamali ka hindi ko tinatago si Amber. Chineck mo na ba siya sa bahay nila?" he said, habang pasimpleng tinatanggal ang kamay ko sa damit niya.

"Can you just tell the fvcking truth? Wala siya sa bahay nila! Alam kong wala siya do'n, dahil nanggaling na ako doon!" I can see it on his face that he was shocked. Nagulat din ako dahil napagtaasan ko siya ng boses.

"Bro, I told you. Wala siya dito."

Then there's a sound coming from my phone. It's a text from Zywon.

From: Zywon

I already track Amber's phone and, it was in Khael's house.

After I read it, I was stunned. Di ko na alam ang ginagawa ko, basta ang alam ko gusto ko siyang mahanap at makita. I went upstairs and go on Khael's room.

"Ey, Silvan!" I don't care, kahit ano pang sabihin niya. Basta ang alam ko lang ay gusto kong makita ko si Amber.

But, I didn't find Amber there. I try to look in their garage, kitchen and even in their comfort room. But I didn't see Amber.

Pakiramdam ko hindi ko na talaga siya makikita. I wish that all of these was just a dream, and if this was a dream I want to wake up right now. Hindi ko na namalayan na tumutulo na pala uli ang mga luha ko. Then suddenly, someone tap may back and it was Khael.

"Bro, are you fine? Sabi ko naman sayo wala siya dito," he said.

"Yes, but how come na natrack ni Zywon ang phone ni Amber dito sa bahay mo?"

"It's because she left it here, kanina lang yun actually siguro mga fifteen minutes bago ka makarating dito," Khael said. "Sa tingin mo ba kaya kong gawin yun kay Amber? Kaya ko bang gawin 'yon sayo?" kasabay ng pagkuha niya ng isang bagay sa kanyang bulsa, and it was Amber's phone.

"No, pero anong ginawa niya dito?"

"Pinapunta ko siya dito, para ayain na dito siya mag-lunch. Ta's may nangyari atang emergency kaya umalis na uli siya. At nakalimutan niyang dalhin ang phone niya. By the way Bro don't tell me, you don't believe me?"

"I don't know." hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ba ako sa kaniya o hindi.

"Iyon naman pala eh, kaya wag mo kong pagdudahan. Kahit ilang beses mo pang itanong sa akin yan, sasabihin ko lang sayo ng paulit-ulit na wala siya dito. I guess nagugutom ka na, tara na dun ang alam ko nakapagluto na si manang."

"Pero bakit hindi manlang kayo nag-aalala sa pagkawala niya?"

"It's just simple, dahil hindi naman siya nawawala. Kaya ano ang dapat naming ipag-alala." I can't believe it, hindi siya nawawala? pero nasaan siya?

I'm just staring at him while he was eating.

"Silvan, kumain ka na," he said while his mouth is full.

"No thanks, busog pa ako."

"Busog na dahil kaka-titig sa akin?" he said, then he chuckled. Muntik na siyang mabilaukan buti na lang nakainom na agad siya ng tubig. "Sabihin mo na sa akin yung totoo, 'di naman ako magagalit sayo dahil tanggap ko kahit ano ka pa."

"I'm not gay Alonzo! Wag mo nga akong itulad sayo."

"Wala naman akong sinasabing bakla ka ah, masyadong defensive." he pouted.

"Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sayo Alonzo, pero pede bang sabihin mo na kung nasaan si Amber?" then I look at him with a cold stare.

"Silvan, I told you wala siya dito. Ilang beses ko bang kailangang ulitin na wala siya dito?"

"Mukhang wala na naman akong kailangang gawin dito, maybe I should go now."

Then I go outside his house then I go to my car. And drive home, while driving hindi ko parin mafigure out kung nasaan si Amber, at kung sino man ang kumuha sa kanya. Pero kung hindi siya nawawala kagaya ng sinabi ni Khael, nasaan siya? I try to call Jeremy.

"Oy pareng Abo! Napatawag ka?"

"I just want to ask kung nakita mo si Amber?"

"Si Amber? Hmmm," his voice is like he's remembering something. "Ahh oo! Nakita ko siya kanina nung pumunta ako ng mall. Dun sa may ahmm, park malapit sa mall."

"Okay, thanks!" I guess I need to change my directions. I'm going to the park, kung saan nakita daw ni Jeremy si Amber.

Nang makarating ako sa park, hindi ko siya nakita do'n. Sh*t Amber asaan ka ba? I just sit on a bench dahil narin sa pagod. And then, may lumapit sa aking batang lalake and he asked something.

"Kuya, ano pong problema mo po?" he asked.

"May hinahanap kase ako."

"Sino po 'yon, girlfriend niyo po?" Ang bata-bata niya pa pero alam na niya ang tungkol sa mga bagay na 'yon. Di ko alam kong anong isasagot ko, because Amber is not my girlfriend.

"Hindi, she is just a friend of mine. Baka naman nakita mo siya?" I asked him and I took my phone inside my pocket then, pinakita ang picture ni Amber.

"Ahh si ate? Nakita ko siya kanina. Pero umalis agad siya."

"Sige, thank you!"

Then I went to my car again and drove home.

I was staring at the ceiling again. I want to take a nap but I can't. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero masyado na akong napapagod kakahanap sa kanya, kahit hindi pa ito umaabot ng isang buong araw.Hindi ko narin masyadong ramdam na nagugutom ako dahil, ang tanging nasa isip ko lang ay makita siya.

Nasaan ako? Ba't wala akong makita? Masyadong madilim. Ang alam ko lang ay nasa bahay lang ako habang nakahiga sa aking kama. Pero bakit nag iba ang posisyon ko ngayon? Bakit parang nakaupo at bakit nakatali ang mga kmay ko?

"Tulooongggg!" I shouted, pero nag-echo lang ito sa buong lugar. I guess I'm in an abandoned warehouse. Pero sinong nagdala sa akin dito? Is it?

"Oh! Gising ka na pala bro!" I can't believe it. Hindi, hindi pedeng mangyari 'to. Bakit siya pa? Bakit sa dinami dami ay siya pa? Ang pinakamalapit kong kaibigan, Mikhael Timothy Alonzo.

"Siguro nagtataka ka kung bakit ka nandito. Don't worry 'di ka naman nag iisa," what is he talking about? Hindi kaya nandito din si Amber? "Actually nandito din si Amber, magsalita ka naman Special A!"

"Gra--y!" I heard Amber's voice.

"Alonzo! Don't do anything bad to Amber!" Why he is doing all these? I treat him as my sibling, ta's ito lang ang gagawin niyang kapalit ng ginawa ko? Siguro nga there is no a true friend because they will all just betray you. Katulad lang ng ginawa ni Therese kay Amber pero hindi naman ginusto ni Therese na gawin yun dahil kapatid niya si Tross.

"Alonzo! Pwede bang pakawalan mo na ako dito?" I shouted to him.

"Pakawalan mo na si Amber kahit ako na lang ang saktan mo!" I pleased him.

"Paano kung ayoko?" he said, then he chuckled.

"Alonzo, why you are doing all of these?"

"It's just because, I'm jealous to you Gray! Alam mo ba yung feeling na kahit ilang beses pa akong mag-ala unggoy para lang makita si Amber. Hindi padin niya napapansin yung effort ko, parang wala lang sa kanya lahat. Therefore, maybe you should die now. Pero hindi naman ikaw ang mas maraming kasalanan sa akin, it was Amber dahil ikaw ang gusto niya, kaya siguro siya na lang ang kailangang mamatay." he said.

"Alonzo? Ano bang nangyayari sayo? Are you a psycho? Nahawaan ka ba ni Marion?" nagawa ko pa talagang magbiro.

"Hindi naman, I just want to kill the both of you. Pero di ko alam kung sino ang uunahin ko." "Please Alonzo, kahit ako na lang wag mo ng idamay si Amber!"

"Ahmm ayoko paden." I heard his footsteps that walking away from me, maybe he would go to Amber. No! Hindi pwede.

"Khael stop!" I tried to stop him.

"Huh? Wala pa naman akong ginagawa!" then he laughed like a devil.

May narinig akong kumalabog na bagay.

"Ahhhh! Gra--y help me!"

"Amber ayos ka lang ba?" Nag- iiba na ang boses ko. Nagsisimula na siyang pumiyok.

"Silvan, Gusto kong makita mo habang sinsaktan ko si Special A, or pwede din namang ikaw ang nakikita ni Special A habang tinotorure kita," nasasapian na ba siya? ibang-iba siya sa Khael na kilala ko.

"Diba ang gulo? Kahit ako naguluhan din sa sinabi ko!" then he laughed like an evil again. "Pero mas gusto ko na unahin si Amber, so I will going to remove your blindfold, pero siguro mamaya na lang. Kapag nalunod na si Special A sa sarili niyang dugo. Is it exciting my best buddy?" nagawa niya pa talaga akong asarin.

I need to be though to be saved Amber. Kailangan kong makagawa ng paraan bago siya mapatay. Nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng pag iisip kung pano ako makakaalis sa pagkakagapos.

Then I heared a gun shot. No, Hindi pwede, nahuli na ako.

"Silvan, I think you need to see this!" then he totally removes my blindfold and the tie on my hands.

But there is something wrong...

It's not what I expected...

Impossible... I saw her alive...

Yes, she's alive...

Wearing a nice white dress...

With her beautiful smile...

She's smiling at me...

'Di ko na namalayan na unti-unti ng may tumutulo sa mga pisngi ko, Amber ba't mo ba ako lagi pinapaiyak?

Then suddenly Khael whispered something to me.

"Bro, I'm sorry kung kailangan ko pang gawin ang lahat ng 'yan. Galing kong umacting noh? Go tell her whatever you want!"

At lumapit ako, kay Amber and I hold her hand. And say this words. "Amber, do you remember the time, it was before our Masquerade Party and I told you that I'm falling? And I guess you didn't understand it," I chuckled, why am I saying all of these? "I already confessed my feelings for you, for several times and I guess the latest was when we are in the park. I told you that I like yeast, but it's not what I meant to say. I'm so sorry, inaatake kase ako ng katorpehan ko nung mga panahong 'yon," huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ko ituloy ang sinasabi ko.

"Amber, you know you are like a yeast."

"But why?" she said, oh! I miss her voice so much. I think she's going to cry.

"Because like yeast, I like you too. Amber, I like you."

After that, I saw all of my friends.

They are all standing around us. It's like they are watching a live shooting. But I am graetful that they are there, inaamin ko muntikan na talaga akong mapaniwala ni Khael sa acting niya. I guess he will be a great actor someday, the best role that suits him is being a person that has a mental disorder.

At last, I already told her my feelings for her...