Nagising ako sa marahang tapik saakin ni Bea.
“Why?”
Napansin kong parang hinihingal siya at hindi mapakali. Tumayo agada ko at hinawakan siya sa balikat para pakalmahin.
Ilang segundo bago siya nagsalita. “Patay na si Miss Anika.”
Nanlaki ang mata ko. Paano? Si Miss Alvarado ba ang may gawa? Pero kung pinatay ni Miss Alvarado si Miss Anika, ibig sabihin, natuklasan niyang nakakuha kami ng impormasyon mula kay Miss Anika. Delikado ang mga buhay namin.
Dali-dali akong kumilos at sinundan si Bea. Nakarating kami sa harap ng mansyon and whne I looked up there, I saw Miss Anika’s hanging body. Her eyes are open and dull. Suot niya parin ang damit niyang suot kahapon. I stood there until I couldn’t take it anymore. Pumasok ako sa loob ng mansion at dumiretso sa sala.
“Jelcy.”
I didn’t look at the one who called my name. Umupo siya sa tabi ko at tinapik ang likod ko.
“Do you think it’s Miss Alvarado?” tanong niya.
I have a suspicion that maybe she is or not. Bukod sa siya lang naman ang posibleng gumawa noon, wala na talaga akong ibang nasususpetyahan. Sinabi kahapon ni Miss Anika na walang kinalaman si Porsche sa lahat ng nangyayari dito sa loob ng mansion and her explanation also explained what really happened that day that he didn’t die.
“Siguro. Pero kung dahil sa may nakuha tayong impormasyon sakanya kaya namatay si Miss Anika, hindi ba ibig sabihin no’n, we’re in big trouble?”
Hindi rin nagtagal ay sumunod na saakin si Bea.
“They’re moving the body now.” She informed us.
“Kailangan nating maging alerto from now on. Hindi natin alam kung kailan aatake ang kalaban.”
Yeah, but how can we fight if… we don’t even know who are we figting?
“Ken!”
Buong araw kong hindi nakita si Ken kaya naman noong makita ko siyang naglalakad sa pasilyo ay hindi ko na pinalampas ang pagkakataon na makausap siya.
Nilingon niya ako na parang ako ang taong pinaka huli niyang gustong makita ngayong araw.
“I didn’t see you all day, where have you been?” tanong ko.
He sighed.
“Hindi mo naman makikita ang taong ayaw magpahanap.” Halos pabulong na sabi niya.
To be honest, I’m not shocked that he’s mad and I actually have a hint as to why, but I don’t want to assume or rather… I don’t want to admit it.
“Can we talk?”
“Do I have a choice?” tanong niya pabalik.
We walked for a few minutes but no one wants to initiate the conversation.
Hanggang sa hindi ko na nakayanan at nagsimula na akong magsalita. “I get that you’re mad, but shouldn’t we focus on the things that matter the most now?”
He looked at me in disbelief. We stopped walking and we faced each other.
“Are you seriously going to ignore my feelings?”
Oh my days, he’s fuming mad.
“I didn’t say I’m ignoring your feelings, sinasabi ko lang na isantabi muna nating ‘yong mga unimportant things for now, we have to be more serious about our situation.”
“I know! Katulad mo, hindi ko rin alam ang gagawin, katulad mo, I’m also anxious. Questions are filling my head “how do we get out of here?” “How do we survive tomorrow?” “How can I protect myself?” But you probably think na puro tungkol lang sa’yo at sa nararamdaman mo ang lahat.” He massaged between his eyebrows. “I have always liked you.”
My brows pulled together.
“Ken…”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He looked at me with his moist eyes. “I have always wanted to tell you that. It’s such a shame that you didn’t believe it the first time and thought of it as a joke. But to me, they have always been real. So, when I saw you kissing that guy, I don’t exactly know what to feel. Siguro dahil nasanay akong ako lang ‘yong nagiisang lalaking madalas mong kasama at kausap, siguro nagoover-react lang ako. But later on, I realized that it’s not because I’m jealous that you’re with someone other than me, it is because… I love you.”
I didn’t say anything. The silence crept between us.
“I just have one question for you.”
I don’t want to answer his question. Kung pwede lang, gusto ko nang tapusin ang usapan na ‘to.
“Do you like Porsche?”
For the second time, I didn’t answer. I looked at him and caressed his face. He closed his eyes but after a few seconds, inilayo niya saakin ang mukha niya.
“I understand.”
I don’t know what did he understand but after he said that, he left me dumbfounded.
“Sabi ko na nga ba.”
I gasp when I heard Porsche’s voice from behind.
“How long have you been there?” tanong ko.
“Not so long, naabutan ko lang ‘yong confession niya sa’yo.”
I rolled my eyes. I don’t have the energy to talk to him today. I don’t want to ended up having a long conversation with him.
“You know what, matagal ko nang napansin na gusto ka niya, akala ko rin matagal na siyang umamin sa’yo.”
Nagsimula na akong maglakad at sumunod naman siya na parang buntot.
“Well, congratulations you’ve found out before me.” I said, sarcastic.
“So, what’s the answer?”
Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. He gave me a smirk.
“Do you like me?”
Padabog ko siyang hinarap. Para naman siyang aso kung makangiti.
“Do I like you? No, absolutely not. Do I like you to get out of my face for now? Yes, please.”
He laughed. Good God, bakit ba sunod-sunod ang kamalasan na nararanasan ko ngayon?