Sebastian

LUMIPAS ANG mga nalalabing araw ng kalayaan para sa mga mag-aaral. Malapit na ang oras upang muling makulong sa seldang tinatawag na silid-aralan.

To be fair, I don't hate studying. I just detest the part of being around a lot of people. Besides, I have a bigger mystery to unveil—and the answer to it all is so close yet is also too far. I know that because four days with Delvin was really frustrating. Iniiwasan niya lang ang mga tanong ko.

After this one starry evening, the school gate will open the first semester, and this guy still doesn't budge. Ito ang huling beses na susubukan kong ungkatin kay Delvin ang lahat ng kaniyang tinatago patungkol sa aking nakaraan.

Turning my sight away from the thick screen window, I glanced at Delvin who was reading our school's student handbook, while laying down on his bed, the one nearest to the door. "...In emergency cases, students will be escorted out the buildings."

Wala sa plano ko ang makipag-usap sa mga makakasalamuha ko sa akademyang ito. Hindi naman sa pagiging anti-social o introvert. I'll probably be doing ask-and-leave to people who know me—not planning to re-establish friendship, if I even got one before. Besides, halos wala na iyong mga classmate ko rito since nagsi-graduate na sila.

"No," Delvin, being a tough nut, said as my mouth slightly opened. Surely, he rather choked himself to death by swallowing all the beans than spilling anything.

"Nasisikmura mo ba talaga na itago ang mga bagay na hindi naman dapat sa iyo?" I asked in monotone, turning my body to face him as I leaned on the window's sill.

"Guilt tripping me does not do you good, Sebastian. Best thing na magagawa mo is maghintay. I'll sell them to you soon."

Kinuyom ko ang aking kaliwang kamay na nakatago sa aking likuran. I am trying to stop myself from gritting my teeth. Ayaw kong makita niya na kaya niya akong paglaruan. Anyway, he doesn't mean money when he said sell—kung 'yon lang sana'y walang problema. However, he wants my cooperation in exchange for information, and that's a lot of tiring work.

"Tatapatin kita, Sebastian. Akala ko'y tahimik ka lang talaga based na rin sa observation ko sa iyo in the past months." Isinara niya ang kaniyang libro't nilapag sa taas ng katabing drawer. "I guess, people can turn into new leaf when they need something."

Bumuntong-hininga ako bago tumayo nang tuwid, nakapamulsa. Tinitigan ko si Delvin sa huling pagkakataon. Nakakainis lang na nginingisian pa niya ako matapos pagkaitan ng katotohanan.

"Do as you please, stalker," I said as lifeless as I could, before walking out to the corridor.

Inipon ko ang lahat ng pakialam ko para makiusap sa lalaking 'yon pero ganito lamang ang ibabalik niya. Disgrace! I clenched my fist, raising it mid-air in attempt to punch the wall on my left. Bago pa ako makapag-ipon ng puwersa, biglang may tumapik sa aking balikat na nagbalik ng aking katinuan.

"Okay ka lang?" a soft feminine voice uttered from my back, probably the one who tapped me. I almost forgot that there are some students na naglalakad sa hallway ngayon.

I didn't turn an eye on her. I took a deep breath, turning my front sideward before walking nonchalantly. Gusto ko na ring magpahangin sa labas which I've been doing lately, usually at eleven. Wala namang curfew dito kaya getting in and out isn't a problem as long as may gate pass ka.

Sumakay ako ng elevator. Few seconds later, one person came on board with me. May suot itong makapal na kulay-abong hooded jacket at jogging pants. Slender body. Halos kasing taas lamang siya ng aking balikat. Hindi ko makita ang kaniyang mukha dahil nakayuko ito't sinusuot pa ang kaniyang hood.

Pinindot ko ang button patungong ground floor. Sumunod naman siya, strangely pressing two buttons, second then third.

Naglakad ito patungo sa aking likuran. A sweet scent of rose reached my sensitive nose which made me remember that I need to buy an air freshener for our unit para mas bumango naman ang tinitirhan ko. Mabuti na lang nga'y hindi na nagkakalat ang magaling kong roommate.

A ding resounded as we reached the third floor. Bumukas ang pinto kaya makikita mo ang mga student sa hallway. Strangely, nanatili lamang sa likod ang nakasabay ko at mabilis niya lang pinindot ang button para isarado ang pinto. I thought nagkamali siya sa pagpindot kanina.

Nang pasara na ang pinto, nag-vibrate ang cellphone ko sa aking bulsa. Kinuha ko 'yon thinking na si Lizbeth ang tumatawag. She's calling me thrice a day since I came here—never answered her though.

Another ding indicated na nasa second floor na kami. No one is in the corridor on this part. Again, strange dahil parang ayaw pa rin bumaba ng kasama ko.

Anyway, I checked the number. Nagtaka ako dahil unregistered number ang naka-flash sa screen. Did Lizbeth? I slid my finger on the green button before placing it near my right ear, waiting for the person on the other line to speak.

"Sebastian, nasaan ka?" Who told this guy my number? "Run out! Dali!"

"What—"

A sudden chopping force hit my nape which made my knees tremble and fall. Nabitawan ko ang aking cellphone. Nahihirapan akong makakita dahil sa hilo, pero I stomped my right foot in attempt to regain balance. However, this quiet person released another chop which set me collapsing down.

Before everything got blurry, the light blackened out. I heard an unclear voice cursing nearby, and repeated banging sound. Soon after, I completely lost my consciousness.

=02=

Waking up to a different world. Everything seems to be in complete darkness. This time, sinusundan ko ang tatlong pigurang itim na naglalakad sa aking harapan. Tinatahak namin ang daanang nakapagitna sa mga nagtataasang metal container.

"This trip is a big mistake. We should leave," one figure said silently.

"Kung magte-take tayo ng risk ngayon, makikita na natin ang thread na matagal na natin hinahanap," another figure replied. "Ngayon pa ba tayo matatakot?"

"Solving one thing is great," the first figure responded. "Pero hindi pa tayo handa ngayon. Hindi natin makukuha iyon na walang nawawala sa atin."

"Hindi naman din guaranteed na makakatakas tayo. Why not lose fighting?"

"Retreating is also fighting," the figure stressed as we come closed to the end of this dream.

"Alright, I won't argue anymore. Just say you're only protecting, Sebastian," the second figure said which confused me. Why do I need special protection? "Kilala kita. If wala siya rito, you'll take actions."

"I'm protecting everyone."

"If you say so," the figure uttered sarcastically. "So, what's your plan if we get caught? Game over na ba?"

"Sebastian already has something left in Mondragon so that someone else can take over if ever the worst happens," the figure who appears to be the leader said. "Our nemesis will not be in comfort even if they shut us down."

Those were the last spoken lines before the goons appeared to beat us down. This dream was quite different now since I heard them. Strangely, hooting, howling, whistling and rustling sounds are also over the place. Nonetheless, the outcome is still the same darkness.

Booghs!

Nang tila wala ng pag-asa ang lahat, the audio turned on again as it called, "Sebastian!"

At that exact moment, the pain I felt from heavy beating healed as if that person's voice casted a healing spell. Then, sumabog ang isang nakakabulag na liwanag na unti-unting lumamon sa aking kabuuan. In haste, I leaned forward while catching up my breath. Inilapat ko ang aking kaliwang kamay sa aking noo habang hinihintay mawala ang nararamdamang pagkahilo.

Right, I was attacked just a while ago. Despite the darkness, I clearly recognize this person who has his hands on my wrist and shoulder. Delvin spoke again, "Ayos ka lang ba Sebastian?"

"What happened?" I stuttered, panting heavily while covering my eyes from the blinding flashlight.

Delvin got muted for a second before replying, "No time to explain. Just rest here."

"Huh?"

"Trust me," Delvin asserted before lightly pushing me forward, sliding me toward the corner of the elevator, then leaned me on the wall. "I need to go back. Go along with the crowds when you regain your energy. Mag-iingat ka."

Kumaripas siya ng takbo palabas, towards the direction of the stairs. Meanwhile, I was left here doing nothing. I have a hunch na sa unit namin siya pupunta.

Momentarily, the light suddenly flashed on and started illuminating the entire place. Kinusot ko ang aking naniningkit na mata bago tuluyang tumayo. The elevator lights are back for service. I pressed the button to our floor to follow my roommate.

My body still suffers from the shock of pain, lalo na sa batok ko kaya hindi ko maalis ang pagkakahawak ng aking kamay d'on. Still, I want to take action for who-knows-why.

The creaking noise of metal hitting added suspense as if it is a sound effect from a climactic movie scene. In a second, bumukas nang mabagal ang pinto ng elevator. I shook my head and gave myself a hard wake-up slap on both cheeks bago lumabas.

I walked through the empty hallway before Delvin jumped up from the stairway beside the elevator. Nauna pa ako sa kaniya? Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata, pero mabilis din niya akong linagpasan. He seemed to be in a hurry.

As I walked out the elevator, a static noise resounded followed by a rough voice from the wall-mounted speakers, "Attention everyone. This is an emergency. Hope that everyone's okay. We're sorry for the sudden power interruption. As of now, we're only using a backup generator, so please avoid using the elevator...."

Mabagal kong sinusundan ang mabilis na paglayo ni Delvin. I was checking around as well to stay alert habang pinapakinggan ang mga instruction na binibigay sa announcement. "...Twenty minutes from now, our guards will escort you from your room to another hostel for this night. Please pack your essentials while waiting. That's all."

Nang makarating na si Delvin sa aming unit, sinubukan niyang buksan ang pinto but it doesn't budge. Gritting his teeth, Delvin stepped back as he motioned a kick near the knob which forcefully opened the door.

Scrash!

Despite being still few meters away, nakarinig ako ng ingay ng nabasag na salamin. That gave me extra fuel of adrenaline para bilisan ang aking paglakad upang abutan si Delvin na mabilis na pumasok.

Dumungaw ako sa may pintuan. It was pitch-black inside. Delvin, who can only be seen through the glimpse of moonlight, was standing at the window. Pagkalapit ko, napansin kong may tinitignan siya sa ibaba, at may hawak-hawak na lubid na nakatali sa may railing ng bintana.

"Malas!" Delvin screamed before turning his back. Dali-daling siyang tumakbo palabas. "Sa third floor ako, ikaw sa ground floor!"

Without explaining why, he vanished off my sight. So, may nanloob sa room namin. That person probably used this rope to escape to the unit beneath ours. Is this the doing of the person I encountered in the elevator?

Delvin's plan is simple to understand. He'll be roaming from third to ground floor to search for the intruder, while I'll be at the exit to guard it just in case he failed to catch the culprit. There's so much hole with this plan though. Kung kayang mag-acrobat ng kalaban, kaya niya rin siguradong maghanap ng ibang lalabasan.

Lumabas na ako sabay sarado ng pinto.  I looked around the empty corridor and corners first before walking towards the elevator. As I passed by the unit beside us, I noticed that it was slightly opened. My eyes caught a weak reflecting light from the narrow opening. Somehow, out of curiosity, I pushed the door to check. Suddenly, a familiar figure opened the door, and forcefully pulled me inside.

"Bakit hindi ka na lang dumaretso ng ground floor?" Delvin uttered, glaring at me. "Anyway, may nakakita ba sa iyo?"

"No one's in the corridor, and even in the corners," I assured silently, matching his tone. "What's this for anyway?"

"I trust your keen eyesight," Delvin sighed as he slightly opened the door again, checking the outside through a small mirror. "Just trust me on this one and keep quiet for now."

I looked around the warm-lighted empty room—it has a single bed, but no personal items can be found. Mukhang wala pang nananahan dito. If I have a choice, I'll transfer here. "You know. I cannot trust someone who lied to me after saying, 'trust me' in the first meeting."

"Guess, hindi ka mananahimik without knowing anything." He said while being busy checking outside, not turning a sight on me. "Ayaw ko masira ang lahat kaya bottom line, this is for both of us, at malamang nasa unit natin ang umatake sa iyo or someone else."

"My attacker?" I stressed while massaging my nape. "I don't get it. Everything's chaotic. Maraming unnecessary risk ang t-in-ake niya just for that?"

"Kung tatakbo tayo patungong third floor, talo tayo. Bibigyan lang natin siya ng sapat na oras para baliktarin pa ang unit at makatakas." Delvin was tilting the mirror, squinting his eyes. "Sa palagay mo, ilang minuto kang bagsak sa loob ng elevator? At most two minutes, and that includes the time na papunta pa lang ako sa iyo."

Somehow, napi-pickup ko naman ang sinasabi niya. Tatlong minuto lang din ang span ng pagkagising ko at pagpunta namin sa unit. Things are really happening so fast. Five minutes will not be enough if we'll assume na they also have to force their way in the unit without attracting attention from the other boarders.

"Hindi mo lang din siguro masyadong napansin dahil sa kadiliman ng kwarto, at dahil hindi ka pa naman talaga nakaka-recover, pero maayos pa ang puwesto ng mga gamit natin. In simple words, wala pa siyang nagagalaw."

I indeed missed that detail. When you're in a rush, it's easy to not pay attention. "You mean, the culprit used the short time to setup the room while I'm down?"

"Oo."

"The plan will surely give our enemy time pero hindi pa rin nasasagot iyong maraming confusion ko sa risky steps niya. You skipped a lot of details. Also, kung nar'on siya't nagtago, papaano mo mae-explain ang pagkabasag ng salamin sa baba?"

Delvin raised a finger. "First, pag-usapan muna natin ang mechanism na ginamit niya para linlangin tayo. Nang binuksan ko ang pinto, doon naganap ang pagkabasag ng salamin, pero paano niya gagawin 'yon kung nakatago siya malayo sa bintana?"

"Could it be another string?" I guessed, halos naman ng nababasa kong detective novel ay may case na gumagamit ng tali sa mechanism ng pagpatay. "I won't be surprised if it is attached on the doorknob. Sabi mo nga, pagkabukas mo ng pinto, sumunod ang pagkabasag ng salamin."

"Good guess, pero mali." Delvin smiled. "Kung ganoon ang ginawa niya, paano mo ma-e-explain iyong pagkabasag ng salamin?"

I placed my thumb and index finger on my chin. "It's simple. I didn't try to observe it well pero possible na may pampabigat sa dulo ng tali. If you place it in a proper angle, pwede iyong maging isang wrecking ball."

"Sobrang complex mo talagang mag-isip," buntong-hininga ni Delvin. "Kagaya ko, simple lang din ang galawan niya. Ipwesto ang lubid, then kapag bukas ang pinto, mag-play ng glass shattering noise sa isang speaker."

"I get the point pero that noise will not be realistic," I argued. "Anyone will probably be able to spot that."

"Siguro, anyone na nasa proper mind," Delvin somehow agreed. "Pero, pareho tayong in a rush. Ang isipan natin nakatuon lang sa paghabol sa kaniya. Kung idadagdag mo pa iyong pagod due to rushing, madali lang linlangin ang utak ng tao."

Basically, this is a psychological warfare. I combed my hair using my hand as I said, "Let's say na may point ang deduction mo, but if we go down and check the room beneath us, kapag nakita nating 'di basag ang bintana n'on, babalik din tayo sa unit natin. What's the point of that trickery?"

"Anticipation," Delvin argued. "That's my solution. Alam kong kulang ang oras niya dahil mahihirapan siyang maghanap sa kung ano mang importanteng bagay sa unit natin. Naghalughog na ako before. Ilang oras din iyon pero wala akong nahanap."

"Hinahanap?"

"Sabi ko before 'di ba, may trespasser na nagkakalat sa mga unit pero walang kinukuha."

"You mean, walang nananakaw dahil hindi pa niya nakita ang hinahanap niya?" I crossed my hands. "What if that person only needs a short time to check here dahil alam niya kung saan siya maghahanap. Then, talagang tumatakas na siya. That will explain kung bakit tidy pa rin ang unit."

"Kung alam niya kung saan maghahanap, hindi siya magkakalat sa ibang unit," tugon ni Delvin. "Also, what I mean by anticipation. Bago ako pumanik dito, tinignan ko muna iyong mga rooms sa ibaba natin mula ground floor hanggang third floor. That's why sure ako na misleading trick ito."

"Tell me what you found out."

"Intuitive." Kinumpas ni Delvin ang kanang kamay niya sa hangin. "Basag na ang salamin sa third floor. So, if basag na before ang sound, that means?"

I just nodded in amazement. He did all that in rush and pressure. Sobrang athletic niya naman to do that within three minutes—to be fair, some news articles say people become superhuman-like due to adrenaline. Also, that simply explains kung bakit sabay din kaming nakarating sa fourth floor despite the time difference.

"I know that the thief is athletic para mapatumba ako kahit sabihin pa nating surprise attack ang ginawa niya. Iyon lang, may oras ba talaga siya para i-set ang mga iyon sa ganoon kaiksing oras? Hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit kailangan niya rin akong atakihin."

"Matalino ang nasa likod ng kalaban natin. Sigurado akong hindi siya nag-iisa—that's why we're here hiding. Sinigurado kong properly locked din ang unit bago ako umalis so that will buy some time para hindi sila agad makapagsimula kahit na mag-initiate pa sila as soon as I went down."

"And?"

"Kinailangan ka nilang atakihin para palabasin ako." Delvin showed me a text message on his phone about someone's plan to attack me. "That's why I called to warn you. Masyado ng huli though."

Somehow, his words are touching since he basically came to rescue me instead of choosing to guard the unit. Kakaunting panahon man kaming nagkasama, nararamdaman kong mayroong matindin dahilan siya para lumipat sa akademyang ito. Our purpose may be different pero our drive has similar intensity.

"Pero bakit sa elevator? Puwede namang mas malayo para mas marami silang oras dito."

"D'yan, wala akong sagot," Delvin said as he focused back on checking through the mirror. "Probably, place of opportunity lang, they spotted the chance to put you down na walang makakakita so they took it."

"I'm fully convinced." That explains the scenarios on the floor three and two. "Still, worth it ba ang ginawa nila? Also, why be crazy now unlike sa mga past work nila?"

"Alam kong parang ang gulo talaga ng situwasyon pero naniniwala akong they felt threatened," Delvin stressed, pointing a finger at me without looking. "Naniniwala rin akong ikaw ang trigger no'n, Sebastian."

After that, I remembered a dream. Sasabihin ko sana kay Delvin iyon pero I hesitated. "Then, hindi ba dapat sunggaban na natin agad siya sa unit natin?"

My roommate smiled. "Sinubukan kong pumusta sa kakayahan niya. What if may mahanap siyang hindi ko nagawang hanapin before?"

"We'll take it then," I continued.

"Yup." He flexed his muscles on his right bicep while etching a wide grin in his lips. "In the right moment, I'll put this clown down anyways. Hindi natin need magmadali."

"Gaano ka kasiguradong lalabas siya sa pintuan?"

Tumingin lamang si Delvin sa kaniyang lumang wristwatch na yari sa pilak. Bumubuka ang kaniyang bibig na tila nagbibilang sa kaniyang isipan. "After the announcement, siyam na minuto pa lang ang lumipas. Actually, since may delay naman ang pagkatok ng mga guard, may eleven to fifteen minutes pa siya."

"Hindi ba siya mahuhuli rin no'n?"

"Binasa ko ang handbook," I asked. "This is considered as an emergency kung saan palalabasin ang mga student. For the culprit, hindi niya need maghintay ng kakatok sa kaniya. It's easy to blend with the student na nakalabas na."

"Then, shouldn't we subdue the culprit while wala pang mga tao sa labas?" I asked. "Magkakagulo kung gagawin natin iyon with crowds."

"Correct." Delvin showed a thumbs up. "Binibigyan lang talaga natin siya ng oras para maghanap, lalo na baka nahihirapan siya."

Lumapit na lamang din ako sa may pintuan upang tumingin sa sobrang nipis na pagkabukas ng pinto. At this point, alam kong kailangan ko na lang maghintay sa shot call ni Delvin. Madalas kong tinitignan ang aking relo habang nag-a-abang.

Tanging ang pagbuga ng air-conditioning unit ang lumilikha ng ingay sa aming paligid. Tension is all over my body. Malakas din ang kabog sa aking dibdib. This is my first time. Sinong makakaisip na mag-a-attempt akong huliin ang isang kriminal? This is so exciting though.

Time passed fast. Delvin extended his right arm to his side, clenched fist. Isa-isa niyang tinaas ang kaniyang mga daliri kasabay ng dumaraang segundo. Ito na iyon.

Five.

Four.

Delvin nodded at me, signaling me to get ready. He stood up and prepared his stance to rush towards our unit at this point.

Three.

Two.

One.

Delvin pushed the door forcefully to open as he dashed towards our unit. Mabilis na rin akong nakasunod dahil nakapagpahinga ako. Dali-daling pumasok sa unit namin si Delvin, making a loud booghs as the door slammed open.

Maliwanag sa kuwarto at talagang parang binagyo ang unit sa mga nagkalat na gamit. Standing in the center was a slender guy in a gray jacket, and jogging pants. He has a dark skin complexion. Same height. So, my attacker was alone?

Nanlaki na lamang ang mata niya nang makitang papalapit si Delvin na parang isang torong sasagasahan ang isang matador. Hindi na nakaporma ang lalaki sa gulat kaya madaling napabagsak ni Delvin ang kalaban.

Natisod ako sa may pintuan dahil sa nakatumbang upuan nang nagmamadali akong humabol. Mabilis naman akong tumayo upang ikandado ang pinto upang wala ng makakita sa kaganapan sa loob. Mahirap na. Kahit isang tao lang ang makakita sa amin, siguradong parang langgam ang pagdami nila.

Mabilis na hinawakan ni Delvin ang lalaki sa kamay, restraining him. Tila sinubukang manlaban ng lalaki nang mahimasmasan ito pero wala siyang naging palag kay Delvin. He tried but cannot strike a punch on my roommate. Within few more seconds, his movements are completely locked.

The thief is left in a triangular bend, head on the ground. Moreover, Delvin's legs and arms are locking on top of his head and back to choke him. Hindi na siya makasigaw sa sakit pero nararamdaman mo ang gigil niya.

"Finally, nahuli ka rin," Delvin laughed victoriously as he tightened his restraining force, making the guy twitch his lips. "Huwag ka nang magpumiglas dahil sasaktan mo lamang ang sarili mo."

Lumapit ako sa kanila't lumuhod sa harapan ng salarin. He cannot move his head properly, but I have a glimpse of his face. What is that for? My brows knitted as I witnessed him etching a split-second smile despite being in this position. It felt like it wasn't an expression of defeat but of victory.

Shortly, a strong woody scent entered through my nostrils which gave me a quick flashback.

"Delvin, he's definitely not alone," I claimed with air of confidence, "...and they probably got us."

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