ALMOST HUMAN

IV.

Divisoria used to be the shopping capital of Manila. It was only a few years ago when the vendors came back. Hindi rin ganun kadami ang bumibili ngayon dahil sa mahigpit na curfew. Most of the things that are being sold here are smuggled products outside of the country since mahigpit din ang border protocols. Kama-kailan lang lumuwag ang customs.

This is where Belle and Carwyn go every Friday at exactly 8 am to shop for their supplies. This is scheduled by the military government. You can't buy in markets and grocery stores unless they set the date and time. 8 am to 12 midnight is usually the time they give, twice a week. In Divisoria, one thing that stayed is that products are still cheaper compared to shopping malls. A regular person can't buy anything there since they only cater to the elite market. Life's been hard ever since, especially here in Manila.

Proof of this ay ang mga taong naka-pila sa Tabora St., lining up sa mga stalls ng karne at gulay, bitbit ang grocery bags nila made from a thick cloth na may symbol ng Military Government. You can't shop unless you bring these bags. They do this dahil may trackers ang mga ito sa loob and to avoid bringing weapons such as bombs and guns in different places. Everyone has a depressed expression written in their eyes. Everyone gave up, defeated from a battle they all lost many years ago.

The stench of rotten meat floats in the entire lane including some from dead dogs at the sidewalks. Flies are feasting everywhere. Belle's used to seeing this scene. This is Manila, the stomach of the republic. Rotting, bleeding, and dying.

Carwyn answers a phone call at nagpaalam na hahanap ng signal. Belle falls in line in one stall of vegetables waiting for her turn to purchase some cabbages when a tall guy wearing a bandana and a face mask covering half of his face bumps into her. Their eyes locked for a second. Belle froze. Then she saw at the end of the lane, policemen in their black uniforms. Tatlo hanggang apat sila. They point to the guy's direction. She looks at him once again. He winks and runs. A speedy chase occurs between him and the law enforcement. It was a sight for everyone but not surprising as this is an everyday image of this great city. Was he a thief? A murderer? A rebel? The possibilities are limitless.

Belle felt na parang lumuwag ang bulsa ng pantalon niya. Uh-oh. Nandun ang wallet niya na naglalaman ng pambili nila ng supplies. She tries to remember kung nalaglag ba niya ito. Papalapit na siya sa stall. Then she remembers. The guy who winked at her. Ito ang humila ng wallet niya sa bulsa. She storms out of the lane makakasalubong pa niya si Carwyn. ''Huy the fuck, saan ka pupunta?''

''Nanakawan ako. Antayin mo ako diyan. Wag kang aalis''

She ran following the policemen and reaches another street where in the authorities are trying to figure out where the man went. They surely lost him. They dispersed and Belle was left alone in that spot filled with huge metallic trashcans on every side, inside it are black garbage bags, one of the lids open. She though it was an animal, but it was clear there was a man inside peeping so she hid at the back of a lamp post and waited until that person emerged. Counting from one to ten the person slowly stood up pushing the lid, revealing his identity.

Tama siya. Ito nga ang lalaking kumuha ng wallet niya at kanina'y hinahabol. He looks left and right and tries to check if nasundan siya. Sa malas niya Belle jumps from her hiding spot, ran towards him and crashes her body onto him. Tatalsik ang lalaki sa pader at tatama ang balikat. Mapapa-aray ito, arches his back and slowly goes on a sitting position like a baby in need of help.

Standing up to him, Belle feels like a titan. Aalisin nito ang hoodie, bandana at face mask revealing a face that looks familiar, but she can't quite remember where she saw him. The guy is breathless, sweat form like tear drops on his forehead, a minor bloody scratch on his lower lip is enough to conclude that he's been through so much for this day.

Hindi ito tumitingin sa kaniya. Probably humiliated. ''Boss sorry na. Ibabalik ko na lang tong singsing. Walang-wala lang ako ngayon eh.'' with a pleading voice, he turns to Belle and gives him a teary eyed look. She kneels at nagsimulang kapkapan ang lalaki. On the right pocket of his jacket, she found the ring but puts it back making the guy give her a questioning look. On the left pocket ay ang wallet, so she takes it back and left him with an aching back.

''Hoy? Ano yon? Di ka pulis??!!!'' sigaw nito, but Belle never looked back. Then she hears a loud siren followed by an explosion from the Tabora market. The ground shook for a moment. Shit nandun ang pinsan niya. Tatakbo na sana si Belle papunta doon pero the guy took hold of her arm and embraces her. Babaon ang mukha niya sa dibdib nito, she can feel his long arms lock her whole body in that moment. Then another explosion. She felt like her body flew away pero wala siyang naramdamang sakit just a slight pressure on her back.

For a second para siyang nabingi. She opens her eyes, nakapatong na sa kaniya ang lalaki. He protected her from the explosion. The guy looks like he's in a lot of pain but maintains a smiling face. What just happened? Are they dead?

''Nasaktan ka boss? Sorry ha. Nice to meet you. Donny at your service.''