Pinatawag kami ni miss Alvarado. Bea was clinging to me since yesterday like I’m fragile and would break any time now. Hinayaan ko nalang siya kung saan siya mas kumportable, wala akong magawa kung paano siya papakalmahin kaya naman hinahayaan ko nalang siya kung anong gusto niya.
Nakita ko si Thana at Third na nakatingin saakin na tila ba may gusto silang itanong pero hindi nila magawa ngayon. Siguro ay pupuntahan ko nalang sila mamayang gabi, pero alam ko na mahihirapan ako dahil bantay-sarado ako kay Bea.
Dumating si Miss Alvarado at may dala-dalang mga regalo. Ngumiti siya ngunit walang nagbigay sakanya ng ngiti pabalik. Bumuntong hininga siya na parang inaasahan na iyon. Lumapit siya saamin at isa-isa kaming binigyan ng ragalo. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Bea at sabay na nagkibit-balikat.
“Tomorrow is Christmas day so I’m giving you Christmas present.”
Sabay-sabay naming binuksan ang regalo at sa pahabang box na ‘yon ay iisa lamang ang laman. Isang digital watch. Tinignan ko ang reaksyon ni Thana at Third and it’s not very different from my reaction. Confusion was evident in our faces.
“Don’t worry, it’s not a bomb or a self-destruct watch, it’s a simple present from me, can you guys show me that you’re grateful even for a bit?”
Even with a disgust faces we wore it.
“Pupunta tayo sa bayan bukas so, you can contact your families.”
Without further ado, she left. Noong marinig ko ‘yon ay hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. I miss my parents at matagal ko na silang hindi nakakausap.
“Jelcy?”
Tinignan ko kung sinong tumawag sa pangalan ko and it turns out, it’s Porsche. I wasn’t able to talk to him yesterday dahil bigla siyang umalis when I woke up.
Tinignan ko si Bea. Her face shows disapproval but I guess she gets the hint. Umalis na siya at lumapit kay Ken. Tinignan ako ni Ken ng ilang sandali at binaling agad kay Porsche ang tingin niyang nambabanta.
“Hey, I wasn’t able to thank you for what you did, I heard ikaw ‘yong tumulong sa’kin.”
Hindi siya nagsalita. He gave me a smile at iminuwestra ang daan papunta sa likod kung saan kami madalas nag-uusap. Nang makarating kami doon ay kumuha siya ng isang pakete ng sigarilyo. Isa nalang ang laman no’n. When he realized it, he threw the package on his side.
“Seriously, I don’t know how to thank you, without you, I don’t know if I can survive that time.”
I was left out in the cold.
“What happened that day?”
I don’t know why he’s being silent. He doesn’t like talking to me? Then why did he approach me?
May narinig akong ingay sa may damuhan, for a moment parang may nakita akong taong tumakbo papalayo pero imposible namang hindi ko mapansing may tao dito. Sino namang pupunta sa lugar na ‘to maliban saamin ni Porsche?
“I’m sorry, someone is spying on us.”
Tumingin ako sa paligid para masiguro ang sinabi niya.
“What?” I asked.
“He’s gone.”
Paano niya naman nalaman na may nagsspy saamin? Masyado ba akong manhid para maramdamang may kasama kaming iba dito? O baka naman malabo na ang mata ko?
“Who would even do that?”
He didn’t answer my question.
Instead, He asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m better. Thank you.”
The silence crept between us.
“I wanted to talk to you about Thana and Third.”
I was shocked with what he said. Thana and Third? What’s with them?
“I know what you’re doing with them.”
At some point, hindi talaga ako masyadong nagulat. Si Porsche ‘yong tipo ng taong parang alam lahat ng bagay sa mundo kaya hindi nakakagulat na alam niya ang ginagawa namin nila Thana.
“What about them?”
“I want you to continue it.”
I gave him a curious look. Of course, I’m looking for an answer. Sa totoo lang, kahit hindi niya sabihin ay itutuloy kong makipagkita kila Thana. Without those trainings I don’t think I can survive a minute in that battlefield.
“That will do you well. I want the best for you.”
He talks like my mother.
“You’re a chip of the old block.”
He laughed.
“What were you discussing with Bea and Ken yesterday?” I asked.
It’s now or never. Hindi naman sasabihin sa’kin ni Ken at Bea ang pinag-usapan nila that day kahit anong gawin ko.
“It’s nothing.”
“Oh, God.”
“It’s nothing important, really. I was just asking them to move you with me.”
I stood up in shock.
Of course, the two of them will freak out! Especially Bea! This freak wants me to move in with him like he’s asking for a candy.
“Don’t worry they did not agree.”
Wow? Parang dapat pa akong magpasalamat sakanya ha?
“Kahit naman ako hindi papayag ano?”
I can’t believe this guy. Kahit kailan talaga hindi ko maiintindihan ang takbo ng utak niya.
“I’m just messing with them.”
“They don’t take jokes like that.”
“Jelcy!”
Nagulat ako no’ng makita si Ken na nagmamadaling pumunta sa kinaroroonan namin ni Porsche.
“Ken?”
“Let’s go.”
Ken grabbed my hand and we walk away from Porsche. Porsche was sitting still puffing his cigarette looking at me with intense eyes.
“Ano bang pinag-uusapan niyo at napaka tagal naman yata?”
Nakarating na kami sa sala at hinihila niya parin ako.
“Kinakamusta niya lang ako.” Sagot ko naman.
Finally, we stopped. He faced me.
“Kailangan niyo pang lumayo para magkamustahan?”
At isa pang taong hindi ko mabasa ang tinatakbo ng isip ay itong si Ken. Ever since we went here, parang naging ibang tao na siya.
“Tsk.”
“What?!” he exclaimed.
“Ken, we’re up a creek without a paddle, can’t you be more serious? Why are you acting so childish? I don’t get you!” I almost shouted.
He always argues on the silliest topics, it’s like he can’t see wood for the trees.
“Do I look like I’m not being serious? That Porsche is dangerous!”
Now he’s spitting nonsense.
“How is he dangerous? I may have to remind you again, niligtas niya ako. At hindi lang ito ang unang beses, Ken. If there’s someone that I can trust here, si Porsche ‘yon.”
He smirked. Halatang pinipigilan niya ang sarili niya. I grew up seeing this side of him of course, I knew that there’s something he wants to say but he’s stopping himself.
“So, you trust him more than me, now?”
He caught me off-guard. I didn’t mean it to look like that. I was just trying to prove a point.
I think I’m losing my marbles. Kung kaya ko lang sana mabasa kung anong nasa isip niya ngayon. Gusto kong malaman kung ano ang bagay na hindi masabi-sabi sa’kin ni Ken. Ano bang tumatakbo sa utak niya?
“Alam mo, I can’t trust you if you’re hiding something from me.”
He looks at me and started opening his mouth but closed it halfway.
I started walking away but the words that came out of his mouth made me stop.
“I like you. Is that enough reason para layuan mo si Porsche?”