ALMOST HUMAN

II.

One of the men wearing a white robe makes this annoying sound by continuously tapping his leather shoes on the floor. The murmurs, the unknown whispers in the air, the buzzing sound of the air conditioner and the beaming light above Belle is suffocating and is taking her to places she never wants to be back.

She has seen horrendous scenes ever since she was a child. Tandang tanda pa niya ang araw where in the military took over the country. Men, women, children were gunned down. Bodies of protesters piling up the streets of Recto, Manila as her family's car drove past them. Travelling away wasn't that easy. They were detained for a moment in Camp Crame. Halos nasa ganitong sitwasyon din siya noon.

His father and mother in front of a couple of men wearing white robes being guarded by soldiers. She cannot recall what they were talking about but the continuous tapping of a leather shoe on the floor was unforgettable. The murmurs, the unknown whispers in the air, the buzzing sound of the air conditioner and the beaming lights were all present. It made her want to throw up.

Belle is losing it, with a stomach echoing a growl, lips turning white, she pushes her chair from the table. The panel was confused and stared at her na parang lalamunin siya. Belle lubricates her lips and bows down as a sign of respect.

''Excuse me po. Ang sama po ng pakiramdam ko. I need to go home. I understand that I did not make it. I will try again on the next season.''

She goes to the door.

''She's the daughter of Ezekiel Mariano.''

Belle froze. Moments before she even tries to push the metallic door for a graceful exit. She twists her head and looks in their direction.

''I'm Richard Madrigal. Your father and I used to be classmates in college. Tama naman ako di'ba? Anak ka niya? And your lolo was once the secretary of the DOST. Great guy. Your father hid you in some bizarre place too, quite an adventure. Since you're here without any support I'd presume your parents are both dead.'' one of the men said, smiling. He was bald with a crooked set of teeth.

Tatango si Belle. It feels like being locked in a cage full of venomous snakes and she's the tiny mouse.

''If you need to leave because you're not feeling well. It's fine. But we are discussing. We understand that money might be the issue here. You have good intentions on this project. I mean, with your current disposition. You have no family or a guardian. Your father was accused of conspiring with the rebels and you'll be needing a lot of help since the reputation of your surname, for the lack of a better term, is tainted.''

He stood up and went to her, leather shoes tapping on the floor like a ticking time bomb. His shadow ate Belle as he placed his lips on her ears. ''By help I mean a lot. We can discuss it privately''. He takes his mobile phone out biting his lip. Taps on something and Belle hears her mobile phone notify. He winks at her.

''That's my tracking number. You can reach out to me anytime. The address of my office is also there for your perusal. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.''

Belle tried to control her fist. Oh, how she wanted to spit on his face for this shady offer. But she kept her composure, nods calmly and excuses herself from the room for one last time. She can still feel the gaze of the man still following her.

Outside of the building Belle waits along the highway of Bicutan, Taguig with her cadaver placed inside a black body bag lying on the ground. A red, old, dusty car stops by. A boy in his mid-20's, Carwyn, comes out and helps her put the dead inside the back. After that, Belle positions herself beside the driver's seat.

''Nganga?'' the boy said as the engine starts.

News about the newly renovated military building on the West Philippine Sea is on the radio. A joint venture between Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and the Philippines.

''Patayin mo yung radyo''

''Wow, you're sounding like a rebel ha. I like it.''

''Gago. Pag na wire-tap tayo niyan. Iiwan talaga kita sa kulungan.''

''Sus. Wire-tap. 2020 pa tong model ng auto ko anong iwa-wire tap nila? Baka mapunta sa receiver nila yung mga moans ng mga naka-hook up ko.''

Belle gives him a ridiculous face. Sabay bato ng facetowel. ''Pati dito sa inuupuan ko?'' Carwyn laughs. ''Ang baboy mo talaga. Ibaba mo nga ako.''

''Eh saan mo gusto kong gawin. Sa bahay? Takot ko lang. Saka safe yung mobile phones natin di'ba inunplug mo yung wire-tapping device? Ugh. I'm so happy my cousin's a genius.''

Giggles dissolve into a deafening silence.

The two reaches an up and down house that looks like it's about to fall down located sa isang liblib na eskinita sa Quiapo, Manila a few miles away from the once famous Quiapo Church which was bombed many years ago. The rubbles and debris are the only thing left of the place which are still scattered all over the streets.

Upon opening the sliding door, the aroma of formalin and decaying skin slides in Belle's nose once again. The sala is typical. You have a sofa and a flat screen television the size of a wall. Beside it is the kitchen where tables and chairs made of plastic are organized. Belle went to the fridge and drank water. It was a long day for her. At the end of the tiny and cramped space is a door with a transparent plastic curtain serving as a cover.

''Huy tulong'' Carwyn calls from outside. She comes to his rescue at tinulungan siyang buhatin ang body bag papunta sa pintuang may plastic cover. Carwyn multi-tasks and twists the knob with his other hand.

The aroma is more pungent than ever. In this room, 5 bodies piled up in metal racks, lying like mummies are covered in white clothing. Cabinets filled with bottled chemicals are designated like sentinels on every corner of the spacious room. Equipment of all sorts are placed on a long wooden table as if they're newly cleaned and polished. It was a morgue.