The Beast in the City

Kabanata 4

It was already nine in the evening when I came back to the children's park. I thought she'd be hard to find because I wasn't expecting her here. I just tried my luck, and fortunately, she was still here.

Nakayuko siya at marahang pinaglalaruan ang kamay ng kanyang teddy bear. The swing slightly creaks from the slow movement she was making. It was already dark, and she was alone, yet she didn't seem afraid. Mukhang nasanay na siya sa ganitong paligid. I have been staring at her silently inside my car for almost an hour now. Pinakikiramdaman kung ano'ng susunod niyang gagawin. Hinintay ko siyang umalis doon at magpagala gala, pero wala yata siyang balak umalis.

I can't believe she obeyed me. Alam kong wala siya sa katinuan pero bakit parang naintindihan niya ako noong mga oras na sinabi kong dito lang siya at 'wag aalis? But if she truly understood what I said, she may be elsewhere now. Gabi na at hindi na dapat siya umaasang babalik ako. She must have realized that I was just fooling her. That I lied to her. But hell, she must be really insane.

Nakapikit na siya at nahuhulog na ang ulo niya dahil sa antok pero determinado siyang naghihintay. I shifted in my seat when I saw two men approaching her. May dalang batuta at flashlight. I saw them trying to wake her up. Hindi naman sila nabigo. Base sa galaw nila, pinapaalis na nila ang babae pero hindi ito nagpatinag. She was gripping the swing firmly and continuously shaking her head. Napakamot sa ulo ang dalawa at walang nagawa kundi lubayan ito.

I heaved a deep sigh. Ilang beses pa akong nag-isip bago nagdesisyong bumaba. Tahimik akong naglakad palapit sa kanya. Nakayuko pa rin siya at mariing nakakapit sa swing. I stopped when I neared her. I slid both of my hands into my pocket and watched her silently. Nang maramdaman niya ang presensya ko ay dahan dahan siyang nag angat ng ulo. Her hazel eyes widened a fraction the moment she saw me. She immediately stood up and hugged me. My lips parted when I felt her soft, fragile body against me. No one-literally no one-made me feel this way. Bakit ganito? Why do I suddenly melt in an instant?

Itinulak ko siya dahil hindi ko gusto ang pakiramdam na 'to. Tiningala niya ako gamit ang bagaman naluluhang mga mata ay sumisilip ang tuwa doon. My jaw clenched. I grabbed her wrist and dragged back into my car.

Tahimik ang naging byahe namin maliban sa pag-ha-hum na naman niya habang hinahaplos ang laruan. I tried to calm down and focus on the road, although I wanted to shoot her head right away. This is giving me a headache. I can't believe I'm doing this shit.

Padarag na pinagbuksan ko siya ng pintuan nang makauwi na kami. Ito pa ang kinaiinisan ko. I never open doors for women. This is the first time, because this lunatic woman can't do it herself. What a burden!

Napahilot ako sa sentido habang nauunang naglalakad patungong double doors.

"Magandang gabi, Señori-"

Natigil si Emilia nang mapansin ang kasama ko. Na naman.

"Oh, bakit kasama mo itong si Barbie?" Turo niya dito.

My brows furrowed.

"Barbie?" I echoed.

She turned to me.

"Oo. Barbie kasi ang tawag ko sa kanya dahil mukha siyang manika. Kamukha niya si Barbie." Humagikgik ang matanda. "Hindi naman siguro masamang pangalanan ko siya dahil wala naman siya sa katinuan. Hindi niya alam-"

"Fine. Daldal mo." Napapikit ako. "Let her eat and prepare the guest room for her," sabi ko bago pumaitaas.

°°°°

"What did Mr. Chavez tell you? I asked Spyder about the judge.

I'm still in my office, signing some papers. Tonight is the scheduled civil wedding, but it seemed like a very normal night for me.