Chapter 30

"Hello po! This is Tala speaking. I have a cell phone now. Please, save my number!"

I spread the news through phone calls with my new gadget. Dad bought it for me before they flew to New Zealand for business, leaving me alone again in our house. Magtatagal daw sila roon kaya habang wala sila, ito raw muna ang pagkaabalahan ko bukod sa pag-crochet ngayong summer vacation.

May mga number ako nina Twyla, Kuya Wilder, Kuya Rain, at Kuya Dwight dahil naka-save iyon sa isa sa mga phone ni Mommy. Dad taught me the basic manipulation of this phone last night. And after having my breakfast this morning, I called my cousins and friends one by one.

Nauna kong tinawagan si Twyla at Kuya Dwight. Sumunod si Kuya Rain na minura ako kahit hindi pa ako nakakapagsalita. Huwag daw akong tatawag ulit kung ayaw kong mapa-pulis. I told Manang about it and cried a river on her shoulder before gathering my courage to call Kuya Wilder.

"No way. What's the secret code?"

My brow puckered in confusion. "I believe I don't know what the secret code is because it's a secret and if I had known, then it would only be a code, not a secret code."

He chuckled on the other line. "Love you."

"Love you too, Kuya Wai! Save my number, please?"

"Alright, Miss Minion. Gonna save that nickname of yours in my contacts." There was shuffling on his line. "Gusto mong pumunta sa bahay mamaya? Sama mo si Twyla."

I pouted. "Pupunta po ako kina Kuya Dwight, e. Susunduin niya po ako mamaya. Pero si Twy po, baka gusto."

After my conversation with him, I took my time in the bathroom until osmosis occurred on my finger pads. I prepared my white shirt and brown jumper skirt beforehand on my bed. Sa ibaba ng kama naman ay ang pares ng puti kong sneakers.

I wore the yellow bandana Twyla gave me. Ito ang kauna-unahang ginawa niya para sa akin pagkatapos niyang matutong gumawa nito. It was so precious I always get afraid I'd lose it everytime I'm wearing it. Dahil kina Kuya Dwight lang naman ako pupunta, kampante akong gamitin ito ngayon.

At least if my head would be suddenly bandana-less, sa sasakyan o sa bahay lang nila ang pagpipilian kung saan ito posibleng malaglag.

"Done!" I beamed at myself in the mirror.

Gumawa ako ng bag kung saan magkakasya ang mga gamit ko. I used plastic mesh to make it more durable. After checking my things twice, I dashed toward the ajar door. Nasa hagdanan na ako habang humuhuni na parang ibon nang dumapo ang tingin ko sa may living room at natagpuan si Kuya El.

He was just standing there near our sectional sofa with his hand pocketed in his ripped pants. He swept his hair using his fingers from his forehead to back but ended up tousling it. Tumingala siya sa akin pero naagaw ni Manang ang atensyon niya nang dumating ito at may dalang inumin.

"Upo ka muna, hijo. Tatawagin ko lang si Tala at sasabihin kong narito ka."

"Salamat, Manang. Nasa hagdan na po ang alaga ninyo," ani Kuya El at humalakhak saglit bago uminom sa ibinigay sa kaniya.

Bumaba na ako nang tuluyan at lumapit sa kanila. I waved at Kuya El and grinned.

"Hello po, Kuya El! Welcome to our house! Bakit ka po nandito?"

"Ay naku!" Kinurot ni Manang ang pisngi ko nang mahina. "Ikaw talagang bata ka, oo! Hindi mo sinabi na ngayon darating ang magbabantay sa 'yo."

Hinimas ko ang pisngi habang nakatingin kay Manang. "Po? Ano pong magbabantay?"

"Hindi ba nga, ang sabi ng Mommy mo ay may kinuha siyang magbabantay sa 'yo. Ayan, oh, si El. Kaibigan mo rin ba siya?"

Huh? Mommy never told me anything about having someone to watch over me. Also, I haven't even introduced Kuya El to my parents. Kaya paano siya nakilala ni Mommy?

Isinantabi ko na lang iyon at hinayaan. Wala pa si Kuya Dwight kaya ipinakita ko muna kay Kuya El ang phone ko. I was actually more excited to flaunt it to Twyla or Kuya Dwight since I was supposed to meet him first than her, but since Kuya El's here, he got the spot for the first person to see my phone (except my parents and Manang).

"Manang and I took pictures of us! Tingnan mo po!" excited ko pang hinarap sa kaniya iyon, halos ibigay na.

Nakaupo kami sa sofa. Sabi ni Kuya Dwight ay susunduin niya ako ng alas tres, e, mag-a-alas cuatro na. Sana naman ay walang nangyaring hindi maganda kaya wala pa siya.

Pinisil niya ang ibabang labi habang tinitingnan ang pictures sa gallery ko. Often times, he'd double tap the screen and my face would zoom in. Iyon ay kapag kaming dalawa ni Manang ang nasa litrato.

"Sobrang lapit ng mukha mo sa camera," he commented, glancing at me. "Ganito dapat."

He went to the camera app and stretched his long arm across from us, slightly angled to his right. Humarap kami pareho doon sa screen. Ngumiti agad ako habang siya ay straight face lang.

"There..." he mumbled after taking a couple of shots.

"Picture pa po tayo! Smile ka po!"

"Ikaw na lang ang pi-picture-an ko. Tayo ka roon sa may hagdan," aniya at tumayo.

I abode him like a child. He suddenly became a photographer who instructed me to pose on the stairs. Tinuturo niya kung saan dapat nakaharap ang ulo at mata, saan ipupuwesto ang mga kamay at hita, pati pagngiti ko. He would then search somewhere for a picturesque background. He was smirking the whole time he was taking my pictures, and Manang was clapping and smiling on his side.

"Sama ka sa kaniya, Manang. Para may maganda naman kayong picture," ani Kuya El.

"Bakit? Pangit po ba pictures namin kanina?" I asked, pouting.

"Huwag mo nang tanungin."

"E 'di pangit nga po?"

"Basta maganda ka."

Three words and it stuck in my mind 'til the time Kuya Dwight arrived. I don't have a sharp memory, so I wasn't sure if that was the first time he actually praised me. Naghihintay akong bawiin niya iyon o idaan sa biro pero wala na siyang ibang sinabi para agawin sa akin ang munting pagkatuwa sa narinig.

But he didn't answer my question! He distracted me, didn't he? Pangit siguro ang kuha namin ni Manang kanina?

"Eulalie."

I got dragged out of my reverie upon hearing Kuya Dwight's calling my first name gravely.

"P-po?"

"You can't let him come with us," he expressed, moving his eyes from me to Kuya El on my side.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Kuya El. "Kuya El, he said I can't let you come with us," I repeated.

"E 'di walang aalis." Humalukipkip si Kuya El habang nakikipagtitigan sa pinsan ko. "Utos ng magulang niya ang sinusunod ko, hindi utos mo."

Kuya Dwight arched his brow sarcastically. "Oh, yeah? This is the first time I've seen your face. How could I trust you and your words?"

"Mukha bang kailangan ko ng tiwala mo?"

"Uhm-" I tried to butt in, but Kuya El caught my wrist and hid me behind him.

"How dare you touch my fucking cousin just like that?"

Napapikit ako sa biglaang pagtaas at pagmumura ni Kuya Dwight. I never heard him swore before. He was always careful with his choice of words when he's with me. Kuya El pulling me must have triggered Kuya Dwight's chamber of expletives.

"Oh, bakit? Gusto mo ikaw ang hilahin ko?" Kuya El sneered. "Sige, kahit kaladkarin pa kita buong magdamag."

"Tama na po 'yan!" awat ko at pilit inalis ang kamay niya sa palapulsuhan ko.

Mabilis niya naman akong pinakawalan. Pumunta ako sa pagitan nilang dalawa pero una kong hinarap si Kuya El para itulak siya palayo kay Kuya Dwight.

"Kuya Dwight, you can call Mommy po if you can't trust Kuya El. Si Manang lang din po kasi ang nagsabi sa akin kanina tungkol dito. I don't think Manang will lie to me, though..."

"Tss... Kung sana kasi ay 'yan na lang ang ginawa niya kanina pa," iritadong wika ni Kuya El.

My neck twisted to glare at him. His eyes widened a fraction and he took a step back. Pero ilang saglit lang ay umangat ang gilid ng labi niya bago tumingin sa kaliwa. Nagkibit pa siya ng balikat.

Kuya Dwight called my mother unwillingly to confirm things. The way his face almost disfigured and shoulders dropped, the other line must be telling bad news. Pero para sa kaniya lang, dahil pagkatapos ng tawag, ngiting-ngiti na parang aso si Kuya El.

Walang choice si Kuya Dwight kung hindi pasakayin din si Kuya El sa sasakyan nila. The latter was in the front seat with the driver, while the former and I seated in the backseat. Pinagpapasalamat ko na habang nasa biyahe, hindi naman nagtalo ang dalawa. Pero minsan, tuwing kausap ko si Kuya Dwight tungkol sa cell phone ko at magko-comment siya, Kuya El would snort to interrupt.

"We're here! We're here!" I chanted when the car decelerated.

Dumungaw ako sa bintana. Bago ko pa matanggal ang seatbelt ay naunahan na ako ni Kuya Dwight. Kuya El was already outside the car, opening the door on my side. Pagkalabas ko ay hinawakan niya ang bandana ko at inayos.

"Fatima's been waiting for your next visit to her," ani Kuya Dwight nang nakalabas na ng sasakyan.

"Talaga po?"

He smiled. "Hindi niya alam na bibisita ka kaya masusurpresa iyon sa pagdating mo."

I've met Ate Fatima back when I was still in elementary school. Though, Kuya Dwight told me not to tell anyone about her, which I strictly followed. Hindi nagsasalita si Ate Fatima noon at hindi ako pinapansin. She was always silent, almost a statue, and barely blinking. Akala ko nga ay mannequin, e, takot pa naman ako sa mga ganoon.

Pero sabi ni Kuya Dwight, kausapin ko lang daw. I did. I even taught her stitching and showed her some of my finished work. Nag-drawing pa ako sa harap niya at nag-painting. At simula nang pinakita ko ang painting sa kaniya, bigla na lang siyang gumalaw.

I was petrified at first. Nalimutan ko bigla na tao nga pala siya. Pero napalitan iyon ng tuwa nang simula ng araw na 'yon, ngumiti na siya at nakikipag-interact sa akin. Hindi nga lang siya nagsasalita.

"Hindi ka puwedeng sumama sa loob," pigil ni Kuya Dwight kay Kuya El nang umamba itong sumunod sa amin patungo sa pintuan. "Dito ka lang sa labas."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa inasta niya. Alam ko namang may pagkagaspang ang ugali ni Kuya El at mabait naman si Kuya Dwight at mapagpasensiya. Pero bakit ganito ang pakikitungo niya kay Kuya El na wala namang ginagawang masama sa kaniya?

Imbes na magalit, tumingin sa akin si Kuya El. "Hanggang anong oras ka rito?"

"Uh... hindi ko po sigurado," sagot ko at bumaling kay Kuya Dwight. "Kuya Dwight, bawal po ba talaga siyang papasukin sa loob?"

"Hihintayin na lang kita rito sa labas," sabat ni Kuya El at hinawakan ang ulo ko.

Nagmamakaawa akong tumingin kay Kuya Dwight. But Kuya El's words pleasured my cousin. It was so obvious on his face.

"Kuya, please, let him in at least in the living room?"

"Tala, ayos lang. Mas gusto ko pang tingnan ang mga halaman dito kaysa makita 'yang mukha ng pinsan mo," si Kuya El at nagtaas ng noo nang hinarap ang aking pinsan. "Siguraduhin mong tao pa 'yan paglabas. Makita ko lang may galos 'yan, maga 'yang mata mo sa 'kin."

I gasped. "Kuya El!"

Kuya Dwight jeered at him. "Do you seriously think I'd let my baby get hurt within my own house?"

"Baby-tayin kita kapag may nangyari diyan na hindi maganda. Tandaan mo 'yan."

"Kuya El, stop it, please?"

Umikot ang mga mata niya at naglahad ng kamay. "Akin na muna phone mo. Para sigurado. May gagawin lang ako."

Walang pag-aalinlangan kong ibinigay ang phone sa kaniya. Nilabas niya ang kaniya at nagmaniobra doon. Kuya Dwight tapped his foot impatiently. Sinulyapan siya ni Kuya El at umirap ulit bago ibinalik sa akin ang phone.

Hinila na ako ni Kuya Dwight papasok ng bahay nila pero hindi pa tuluyang sumasara ang pintuan nang lumingon ako sa likod. My heart ached seeing Kuya El guarding at the front door.

Ang lumulubog kong damdamin ay napawi rin nang pumasok na kami sa sikretong lagusan sa library office sa bahay nina Kuya Dwight. There was a book in one of the shelves that needs to be pulled, serving as the key to reveal the hidden door toward the secret passage to their underground.

Kuya Dwight said it was Ate Fatima's favorite place in their house, thus, she was staying there. Hindi ko lang alam kung umuuwi siya sa kaniila dahil hindi naman ako laging pinapayagan pumunta rito ni Kuya. Tita Daniah is so strict with their visitors, including us, their relatives. Kaya kapag pinapasok sa bahay nila, lalo na ang hindi kapamilya, ibig sabihin ay pinagkakatiwalaan talaga nila.

Pagkabukas ng pinto kung saan ang kuwarto ni Ate Fatima, bumungad sa akin ang kuwarto niyang kasing laki ng sa akin. Only hers is simple and kind of messy because of the art materials scattered all over the room. I spotted her at one corner with her back facing me.

Ngumiti sa akin si Kuya Dwight. "Pumasok ka na. Kukunin ko lang 'yong pinahanda kong meryenda."

Lumakad ako papasok para lapitan si Ate Fatima. My shoes created silent squeaks, loud enough to indicate someone was walking behind her. But she was so immersed in painting that she didn't even acknowledge someone's presence.

I clamped my hands behind me as my feet found their way to a halt on a certain spot. Tumagilid ang ulo ko habang pinagmamasdan ang pinipinta ni Ate Fatima. It was a girl with long hair and a pair of lifeless, asymmetrical eyes. Across her mouth was a red handprint.

"Ate Fatima?" I called sweetly.

Tumigil sya sa paghahalo ng mga pintura upang makabuo sa gusto nitong kilay. Hindi pa rin siya humaharap kaya tuluyan na akong pumunta sa gilid niya at ngumiti.

"Hi po!" bati ko at kumaway. "Pinapasok na po ako ni Kuya Dwight dito. Ang ganda po ng pini-paint mo, Ate Fatima!" bigay papuri ko at tiningnan ulit ang canvas niya.

Her subject now was different from her previous artworks. Ito ang unang beses na nagpinta siya ng tao dahil dati, puro abstract ang ginagawa niya. An art holds various interpretation upon the beholder, but only the original artist knows its true meaning-the story behind. Kaya ang makitang nagpipinta si Ate Fatima nang natatangi sa mga nauna, siguradong may kahulugang iba.

My eyes squinted at the small, cursive font at the bottom right corner of the canvas saying: I am not dead.

What does that mean?

"Mamatay ka na!"

The sudden shout of the death curse scared the living daylights out of me. I turned to Ate Fatima, but I was left appalled when I saw the small knife in her hand above us. And before I knew it, she had it stabbed in my shoulder.

I yelped in pain. My body dragged the canvas and her other art material as I fell to the floor. Tears pooled in my eyes. Halos nakahiga na ako sa sahig at una pang bumagsak ang kanang siko ko. Hinawakan ng kanan kong kamay ang kaliwang balikat habang iniinda ang sakit.

Halos manginig ako sa takot nang makita ang madilim na mga mata ni Ate Fatima habang nakangiti ng nakakakilabot. She looked someone who wanted to terrorize me... kill me...

Inupuan niya ang mga hita ko.

"A-Ate... this is T-Tala..." I cried helplessly. "P-please, don't do this. I m-mean no harm-"

"You must die! You damn rapist!"

Napapikit ako nang itaas niyang muli ang talim na hawak at walang pasubaling itinarak naman iyon ngayon sa aking tiyan nang dalawang beses. My torso curled up as I endured and groaned in excruciating pain.

Nanginginig ang kamay kong hinawakan ang parte na napuruhan. Bumagsak muli ang ulo ko sa sahig kasabay ng pagsuko sa sakit. Ang bawat paghinga ko ay tila bilang na lang. Mabagal at mabibigat, katulad ng aking mga talukap.

"T-Tala?"

Tears trickled down my ears. I heard her voice again, but it sounded heavenly yet heartbreaking this time. I only wanted to hear her voice, but she cast a curse on me. I only wanted to bond with her, but she made me bound to death.

"O-Oh my G-god! T-tulong!" she cried. "I-I'm s-sorry! Hindi ko sinasadya! I'm s-sorry! Hindi ko s-sinasadya!"

Iyon ang paulit-ulit kong narinig. I lay there, and notwithstanding with my closed eyes, I could still hear everything. Umubo ako nang halos wala nang lakas.

I prayed for somebody to help me. I promise to be a better person if I'm still not good enough. I promise to be more understanding, even if I'm always misunderstood. Please, I don't want to die. I don't want to die yet. I don't want Twyla to lose her best friend. I don't want her to cry, to be sad, to grieve.

"Tala..."

Isang malamyos na tawag sa pangalan ko ang pilit umaagaw sa atensyon ko. I could still feel the pain on my stomach and shoulder, but it was more tolerable now. Naririnig ko nang muli ang ilang pag-uusap, subalit nanatili akong nakapikit.

"Ma, ano ang sinabi mo kay Tita Mitch noong tumawag ka?"

"I told her there was a small accident happened. Tayo na ang bahala kay Tala hanggang sa gumaling siya rito."

"What about that guy? He's still trying to get in here. He should be in jail. Look what he did to me, Mommy." Bakas ang galit sa nagsalita. "Why did Tita Mitch even hire a bodyguard for Tala?"

"He's still a minor. And... Mitch has warned me not to mess with that guy. It probably has something to do with his family. Hayaan mo na." She paused, then she sighed. "Hanggang kailan mo ba itatago si Fatima rito, anak? Paano kung sa susunod ay ikaw naman ang saktan niya?"

"She won't. She can't... I'll make sure of that."

I forced my eyelids to upturn to find the sources of the voices I'd heard. And I did, slowly, carefully. At first, the absence of light terrified me because I thought I'd also lost my sense of sight.

"Tala," someone called again.

Unti-unting nagkaroon ng liwanag dulot ng buwan ang silid kung nasaan ako. I moved faintly on the bed; my left shoulder and side stomach twinged.

"Chipmunk!" malakas ngunit pabulong ulit. "Hindi ka pa gising? Gumising ka na. Limang araw ka nang nakahilata diyan, ah? Nag-hibernate ka na rin?"

Fear crept inside me. Sino 'yong nagsasalita? Ayaw kong ilibot ang tingin ko sa madilim na sulok ng kuwarto. Baka mamaya may bumulaga sa aking multo at imbes na sa saksak ako mamatay, sa takot pa!

"Bilog..." pahabang tawag naman ngayon, nanatiling pabulong at kasunod nito ay tatlong katok sa kung saan. "Si El 'to. Hibernate well." He let out a throaty laugh.

I slept on him while he was storytelling about what had happened to his past few days while I was 'hibernating'. He didn't seem to be inside this room, so, most likely, he was on the balcony.

Hindi ko man makita nang mabuti ang buong kuwarto, alam ko namang wala ako sa ospital. I could tell the difference even through the bed and the duvet hovering my chest to feet.

Sa sumunod na araw ay tuluyan na akong gumising. Tama nga ako kagabi. Nasa isang guest room ako sa bahay nina Kuya Dwight, kung saan kami madalas matulog ni Twyla kapag nag-o-overnight dito. Bukod kay Kuya at Tita Daniah, isang doktor ang tumitingin sa kalagayan ko simula nang nagising ako.

I was wearing a yellow spaghetti strap night dress. I have bandages on my left shoulder and around my waist. Naigagalaw ko naman ang braso at nakabangon na rin pero kumikirot pa rin ang napinsala.

"Baby..." malambing na tawag ni Kuya Dwight nang kami na lang ang natira sa kuwarto.

He sat on my side and held my hand that was resting on my lap. Nakasandal ako sa headboard dahil katatapos ko lang din kumain. His face was full of bruises and scratches.

"'Yong... nangyari sa 'yo," he started with caution. "Please, don't tell anyone else about it, okay? Even to your parents and Twyla..."

I wasn't sure if my brain could not or did not want to process his request. Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin na huwag kong sabihin ang nanyari? Hindi rin ba alam ni Mommy at Daddy ang totoong nangyari?

Aren't they worried about me? I was... stabbed. Ate Fatima hurt me, yes, but... I'm not planning to turn her in.

"Fatima was never aggressive since you've met her, right? That day was the first time," he added. "May ginawa o sinabi ka siguro sa kaniya kaya nagawa niya 'yon."

I ignored the fact that he didn't even ask how I was feeling nor offer anything to suffice my tragic situation, such as bringing Twyla here. I can hold my tongue about what really happened even if he didn't ask. But... receiving the edge of the sword from him, of all people, without knowing my side first was more painful than the knife penetrating my body.

"T-Tala," he uttered when tears poured down my cheeks.

Iniwas ko ang mukha sa kaniya nang sinubukan niyang punasan ang pisngi ko. I can wipe my own tears. What I can't is to deter the torment arising in my heart toward him.

Hindi ko na siya kinausap. Ito naman ang gusto nila, hindi ba? Ang tumahimik ako. Kasi kasalanan ko naman kung bakit ako nasaktan... 'di ba?

Tahimik akong umiyak nang mapag-isa hanggang sa natuyo na ang mga mata ko at wala nang luhang lumabas dito. Niyakap ko ang stuffed toy na iniwan kanina ni Kuya Dwight sa tabi ko. I wish it were Twyla I was hugging...

My shoulder jerked at the sudden three successive knocks against something. Tinukod ko ang kanang siko sa kama at patagilid na iniangat ang sarili para hanapin ang gumawa nito. Bukas ang ilaw kaya hindi ako natatakot.

"Hey, chipmunk."

My eyes widened. Luminga ako sa paligid.

"Bintana," Kuya El's voice instructed. "Buksan mo, bilis."

My knuckles rubbed my eyes before tossing the comforter off me with urgency. Tiniis ko ang kaunting kirot sa katawan habang naglalakad patungo sa may bintana. Paano ba siya umaakyat doon? Kung gusto niya mag-house climbing, sana ay roon na lang siya sa may balcony dumiretso.

As soon as I slid the window open, his veiny hand gripped the sill before he jumped over it like a traceur trying to impress his audience. He landed on the floor with his left foot first before he closed the window again.

Hinatak niya ang makapal na kurtinang kulay abo at saka ako hinarap. Pinulot ko muna ang eyeballs ko na nalaglag dahil sa ginawa niya at ibinalik sa lagayan nila saka siya pinagmasdan. I didn't know he could parkour.

Ginulo niya ang buhok. He then flashed his evil smirk... but it was short-lived. Napahawak siya sa kaniyang tainga na namumula habang ang mga mata niya ay hindi mapakali.

"Kuya El, may CCTV po sa loob at labas ng bawat sulok ng bahay..."

"A-alam ko," putol niya sa akin.

Ngumuso ako. "Paano po kapag nahuli ka? Bakit po hindi ka na lang nagpaalam na pumasok? Baka po magalit lalo sa 'yo si Kuya Dwight."

"Mas matindi ang galit ko sa kaniya," he hissed.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya. Lalong hindi siya makatingin sa akin. His face down to his neck was now flushing. Kumunot ang noo ko at itinaas ang kamay para idikit ang likod nito sa kaniyang leeg.

"Shit!" Napatalon na siya at mabilis na humakbang palayo sa akin. "S-sandali lang. Bago mo ako hawakan, p-puwedeng pakiayos muna ng d-damit?"

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot. Ang isang strap ng suot ko ay nahulog sa aking braso kaya ibinalik ko iyon sa balikat.

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Okay na po. Did my flat chest bother you, Kuya El?"

Naubo siya pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon. Lumakad siya lalo palayo sa akin habang paulit-ulit na hinihila ang harap ng damit niya sa dibdib. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad pabalik sa kama habang nasa kaniya pa rin ang tingin. He was murmuring to himself until I heard him mention holy names from the Bible.

Is he praying? Perhaps, reciting blasphemy? Umiling ako at huminga nang malalim. Kuya Dwight and Tita Daniah planned to keep me here until I fully recovered. Pero... ayoko nang manatili rito. I don't want to spend another day with them under the same roof after getting all the blame.

"Kuya El..." I called him solemnly. "Can... I ask you a favor?"

Tumigil siya sa binubulong at isang kurap, nasa harap ko na siya. Lumuhod siya habang ang dalawang kamay ay ipinahinga sa tabi ng aking mga kamay na nasa gilid ng mga hita ko. Nararamdamanan ko na ang init ng dibdib niyang halos dumikit sa aking tuhod.

"Ano?" Napapaos ang kaniyang boses. "Sabihin mo lang, gagawin ko... kahit ano."

His tone was emboldening, and so were his eyes. I licked my cracked lips and noticed how his eyes lowered to my mouth because of that. He licked his lips before he brought his eyes up again.

"Tulungan mo po akong umalis dito..."

I crawled my hand over his. Marahas siyang suminghap at kinuyom ang panga.

"Ngayong gabi," dugtong ko bago tuluyang dinama ang gaspang at init ng kamay niya.