MARKUS SANDATA

Chapter 22 - Bump of the Year

Natasha and I had agreed that she would buy us some food at the marketplace, while I remain inside the house to stay hidden. I kept on praying for her safeness; I had stared at the walls for hours, my story shouldn't end where I was sitting.

"Markus?" Suddenly, I heard her voice behind the door.

"Coming." I told her. I opened the door, and she was holding two plastic bags, one from Savemore, and the other one's a plastic with rice.

"You hungry?" She smiled at me.

"Y--yes. I'm so hungry." I hugged her and helped her unpacked the cans. We ate two Century Tunas with rice, and after that, I told her, "I'm so lucky to have you, Natasha."

She smiled, "Same."

"'Same?'"

She looked at my eyes, "I had lived long enough to be treated like a princess and a slave at the same time. It was not normal, right?"

I nodded, "Hey--I'm sorry if I--"

"No, it's not your fault." She hugged me, "Doing this made me think that I can be a normal girl. I mean, literally...a normal person. You know. Going out to buy some food..." She touched my hair, "...And experience love from someone who truly loves me."

"Wow." I whispered to myself, but she heard it.

"Yeah--I can't believe it." She kissed my lips.

While I was resting, she called my attention, "Oh--I forgot to tell you..."

"What is it?"

"Someone spoke to me."

"Who was it?"

"I don't know. I don't know him..."

I stood up in front of her, "What's he look like? Was he old?" I had feared that Jason Tuazon was here in Cavite, searching for me...

"Yes, Markus. He's super old."

"Oh--what did he say?"

"He asked me if I was Enrich, and I said yes."

"And then?"

"He just nodded, and then he gave me a creepy grin. After that...he left."

"Where did this happened exactly?"

"At Savemore."

"Right. No more Savemore to you."

She frowned, "Huh? Why?"

"From now on, I will go out to buy us some food."

"But--"

"Please, it's too dangerous for you to go out if someone's following you."

"Uhm--"

"I know I am a wanted person, but I can--I--I don't want to risk your life in danger."

"Okay..."

I hugged her, "Whoever this old man is, I'll find him."

"Hey, what if he's just an old man who knows me from their television because I am a journalist? Right? I am a famous journalist, so everybody would know that I am 'Enrich,' the reporter, not Natasha, the daughter of Kenny Sergio. So relax, I'm totally fine."

"Well, in this world that we're trying to avoid...I doubt it, Natasha. Even if we didn't chose the path, we're still involved. Please, stay here and let nobody sees you."

"Okay."

We went to our "bed," and then we rested for a while.

Two days later, I had decided to go out to find some food, and also, to look for this old man. Natasha secretly bought a black fabric face mask and a black Dcshoecousa cap to hide my identity. I admit that I was so annoyed at her at first, but hell, she was so brilliant.