Ontogenesis: Turning Point

XVIII- Family Reunion

Dedicated to @MheNeia

"Umalis na tayo, Ingrid. Masama ang kutob ko rito," aya ni Zyke sa kaniya habang mahigpit ang hawak nito sa kaniyang pulso. Hindi naman siya tumutol sa binata at nagpatianod na.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong niya rito habang patuloy silang naglalakad sa sidewalk. Hindi rin niya maiwasan na lingunin ang mga tao sa pinanggalingan nila.

"Malapit lang dito ang lumang bahay namin. Puwede tayo roon dahil matagal nang walang nakatira sa bahay na iyon," sagot nito habang palinga-linga.

Huminto ito sa paglalakad nang dumaan sila sa isang parking lot na may mga nakaparadang sasakyan. He rushed onto the nearest black car and shoved his elbow towards the tinted windshield, cracked it into pieces.

Flabbergasted, Ingrid pulled Zyke away from the car. Her eyes widen while turning head, worried that someone might see them. "Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo?"

"Finding a ride for us. You don't expect us to walk on our way, do you?" Zyke answered calmly. Agad nitong kinapa ang door handle sa loob at binuksan ang kotse. He inclined his head, signaling her to get in the car.

Wala namang nagawa si Ingrid kung hindi ang sumunod sa binata. Pinanood na lamang niya ito habang kinakalikot nito ang mga wire at binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan.

"Ano na ang mangyayari sa atin ngayon?" tanong niya rito. Kanina pa nakaandar ang sasakyan at wala siyang ideya kung saan sila papunta.

"Honestly, I have no idea. For now, we have to hide. Siguradong magiging wanted tayo sa batas," walang anumang sagot nito, nakatutok lang sa pagmamaneho.

"Wala tayong nilabag na batas. I was kidnapped and locked up for days against my will. That's a heinous crime, Zyke," aniya rito. Bakit sila ang tutugisin ng batas gayong sila ang biktima? "Oh, I forgot! We just stole a car, killed someone, and I ransacked a drugstore. Pero siguradong hindi iyon ang pangunahing dahila kung bakit tayo ha-hunt-ingin."

"You're seriously naive, Ingrid," he replied glaring at her full of disbelief. "Hindi mo ba alam kung sino ang kalaban natin? It's us against the Republic of the Philippines and the US state. Sure, it's easy to manipulate the truth. Remember, the truth becomes a lie, and lies become the truth when the majority believes in it," sagot nito na para bang sigurado ito sa sinasabi. "Alam mo naman ang mga tao ngayon, they tend to believe in everything they hear and watch on the television without verifying the truth. In other words, they're gullible."

"You mean, stupid," pagtatama niya.

"But, I still believe that justice will prevail," pinagdiinan ni Ingrid ang mga salitang iyon. Pero sa loob-loob niya, nandoon na rin ang pag-aalinlangan.

"Suit yourself, Babe. Kailangan mo lang ng matinding stamina para kayanin ang disappointment, later on," anito na itinuon na lang ang sarili sa pagmamaneho.

Napatingin siya kay Zyke, nakapagkit ang mga kilay. Did he just call her, Babe? Whatever, it  seemed normal to him. He did not even bat an eye when he said that word. Did she hope for something? Fool her. She should not think of something romantic in this situation.

She closed her eyes, leaned her head on the backrest, and sighed. "I'm living my worst nightmare. Akala ko, noong nawala si Uncle Marro, my life is worthless. But now, I believe that my life is nothing but a joke. I hope someone would slap me awake. Maybe I am having a nightmare. Everything is too much to handle."

"Let me do the honor," he said and jokingly prompted his hand towards her face.

Napadilat si Ingrid at kaagad na tiningnan si Zyke. "Oh, please, don't hesitate. Sa lahat ba naman ng nagyari sa akin, a hard spank from you is nothing."