It has been some time since I had two noisy guys name Khalil and Miles, a snob guy named Rod, a quiet guy named Jude, and a weird older guy named Neil around me as my body guards.
Nang makuha na nila ang mga pagkain nila ay lumabas na sila at umunta sa unit nila.
"Ma'am, bakit ang weird noong isa na mukhang... matanda?"
"I don't know also but he's really weird, Hera," and we continued eating. Akala ko nagiging paranoid lang ako but I guess I'm not the only one who thinks that guy is weird.
"Ano nga po ulit 'yung sasabihin niyo sa 'kin, Ma'am?"
I chewed on my food first and drank water first before talking, "So, you've mentioned that you didn't get to finish College, right?"
She looked away and I can see from her face that she's ashamed. "Yes, Ma'am,"
"Do you want to continue?" I carefully asked. Matagal ko na rin talagang gustong itanong ito sa kaniya but I first made sure if I had enough money and I seem to be having so much more than enough.
"M-ma'am?" Maang na tanong niya sa 'kin.
I sighed, I know what she's thinking. Baka akala niya tatanggalin ko siya sa trabaho o kung ano man. "Ako bahala sa lahat ng gastos, ano bang gusto mong course?"
"Kahit ano po, basta po makapagtapos, Ma'am,"
"Bigyan mo 'ko ng pagpipilian ng mga gusto mong course," ayaw kong manghula, mukha ba akong manghuhula?
"Uhm... Film po siguro,"
"Saan mo gusto magaral?" I asked and she answered kahit saan daw. Seriously, may eskwelahan bang kahit saan ang pangalan?
Kinulit ko pa siya and gave her options. Napili niya sa UP kasi sabi niya ay libre raw roon kaso nga lang may mga babayaran parin, hindi naman na mawawala 'yon. Hindi naman na nawawala ang gastos.
"All right," sabi ko nang matapos na. Sabi ko ay sabihin niya lang sa 'kin kung kailan niya gusto magsimula but she said that she'll start next year para makapagipon pa siya.
I took a shower and when I was at the bed already, I received a call from Fal. We just talk about random stuff and asked how our days went. I'm going to tell him about the guards now because I just feel like I have to give him the reason why I am not allowing him to come here.
"Fal," I called.
[Hmm?]
"So, I was not letting you come here because Rahim wanted me to have body guards with me everywhere. So... yeah."
[So, there are guards there?]
"Yup, and I am scared that if they see you, they'll report it to Rahim and he might do dirty shits,"
[I understand, I'm actually not surprised at all,] I curiously eyed him. What does he mean by that? [Mas nagulat pa ako nang mapansin na wala kang body guard na umaaligid sa 'yo where ever the fuck you go,]
My brows knitted, "And why is that?"
[Seriously, Arki? Are you not informed na anak ka ng Senator ng bansa?]
"I mean, yeah, I'm aware of that. But, he does not care about me that's why I am wondering why the hell would he want me to have guards?"
[Maybe he cares for you, after all.]
"Hell no-" I was cut off when I heard a knock from the door. "Wait lang, Fal,"
I saw him nod and I stood up and went out of my room to open the door. I was quite shock to see Neil, the weird old guy.
"Bakit po?" Maingat na tanong ko.
Tumikhim muna siya bago ngumiti. That weird and creepy smile again. "Pinapatanong ho ni Jude kung mayroon po kaya kayong bond paper?"
"Ah, mayroon po. Wait, kuhanin ko lang," Isasara ko na dapat ang pinto pero pinigilan niya ito.
"Ako na po kukuha, Ma'am, medyo marami po kasi ang pinapakuha niya, e'." I was hesitating but he took a step to go inside my unit. I felt like I got no choice so I nodded and just let him in. Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko and kinuha ang phone ko.
"Fal," ipinuwesto ko ang phone ko sa study table and I made sure na makikita ang lalaki na nasa likod ko, medyo malayo sa 'kin. I saw how Fal's brows furrowed and was about to talk but as I was getting the bond paper, I made sure that Neil wouldn't see that I held my hand up and tucked my thumb into my palm. Then I folded my fingers, trapping my thumb in my fingers. It is a signal for help.
I almost thank the heavens when Fal got it and I saw him almost ran. Ibinalik ko na ang tingin ko sa bond paper at nagsimulang kumuha. With my shaking hands, I really tried to not make my fear evident.
"Ilan po ba ang kailangan ni... ni Jude?" My voice was so close to break and it was a little bit shaking I hope he did not noticed. Right now, I think the word scared is even an understatement.
Some thoughts started to knock on my mind but I am trying my best on brushing them away.
"Trenta daw ho, Ma'am," he answered, I nodded and started. Binagalan ko talaga ang pagbibilang at pagkuha ng papel and I was also silently praying na sana ay dumating na si Fal. Wala kasi sina Rod, Khalil, and Miles kasi pintawag raw silang tatlo ni Rahim sa mansion for I don't know what reason.
"Para saan daw po kaya itong mga bond paper?" I asked because the deafening silence is almost making me tremble.
"Hindi ko rin nga ho alam, Ma'am, e'. Pinakisuyuan niya lang ako na itanong ho kayo kung mayroon kayo dito," he explained, tumango nalang ako.
"Ito po," iniabot kona sa kaniya ang mga ito but I was caught off guard when he placed a handkerchief on my mouth. Pinigilan kong huminga dahil baka may kung ano roon.
Sinubukan kong kumawala. Inalala ko lahat ng itinuro sa akin pero wala akong nagawa because I started to feel dizziness. I still tried using my elbow pero masyado siyang malakas at malaking tao siya.
I guess, I am still that weakling after all.
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Twitter: vilarye
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