Kissing the fire

Kabanata 2

Guilt

"It's dad's birthday tomorrow."

I looked at ate Riri when she said that. Oh, it's March 16 tomorrow. Dad's turning 50. Also, March 17 is our Field study. Baka gabihin kami bukas ng uwi, ayaw ko pa naman ma-late ng uwi kasi mag-hahanda pa ako ng mga gagamitin sa lunes. Hm, I guess I need to prepare all the things I need, later.

"Nakabili ka na ng regalo?" I asked. Muntik ko nang makalimutan at 'buti na lang pinaalala ni ate.

I fixed my airpods as I closed my door. It's Saturday and I go to the gym every weekends, sa 1st floor lang naman ng condo ang gym kaya mas accessible para sa amin.

"Hindi pa eh." She answered while sipping her coffee and reading a book. This time, she's reading one of Lang Leav's novel, Sad Girls. "Pero pupunta kami ni Reno sa Vista Mall mamaya since may drag race sila malapit 'dun."

Napakunot ako sa huling sinabi niya.

"Is that even legal?"

"That's what I also ask about him! He said it's finally legal but I think it's not."

"Ofcourse, it's legal. Why would I join in the first place if it's not?" Kuya reno suddenly said while still holding his doorknob.

Masyado yatang napalakas ang pag-uusap namin at nagising ang matsing.

"Weh? Legal daw eh, kung hindi ka bi-nail ni dad last year baka nakakulong ka pa rin hanggang ngayon. Ilang illegal na drag races na ba ang nasalihan mo,kuya?" I asked while crossing my arms.

First time makulong ni kuya last year and unfortunately, nabangga niya ang isang sasakyan causing the rider to be comatosed for three days.

Kuya was imprisoned for 2 days only kasi bi-nail din agad ni dad. Fortunately, pumayag din ang pamilya nung nabangga ni kuya sa settlement at hindi na umabot sa korte since dad also payed all the bills.

I can't imagine the stress it brought our parents. Me and Ate were worried about him.

It was also aired on TV last year since Dad is a senator and it greatly affected his position kaya ilang buwan ding binantayan ng mga body guard namin si kuya.

"Reno, graduating ka na. Don't let yourself into trouble again." Ate Riri sighed.

"I know, I will be careful. Besides, it's just my hobby." Kuya shrugged and went to the kitchen.

Kuya Reno and ate Riri are twins, but ate Riri graduated last year and kuya Reno is graduating this year because he chose a 5-year course which is Computer engineering. Ate is now working on one of our mom's company.

Pag-labas ko ng gym ay dumiretso agad ako sa coffee break. It's already 9 am and I wanna order some caffeine here. Yayayain ko na lang siguro sila ate mamaya sa Vista mall para doon na lang kami mag-lunch at bumili ng regalo para kay dad.

After I finished drinking my coffee, kinuha ko ang aking cellphone habang palabas na sa cafe.

"Ate-"

Muntik na akong masubsob nang biglang may humablot sa'king cellphone.

I screamed even though marami nang tao sa paligid and I don't care because nanakawan ako!

Papunta ang lalaki sa pathway ng San Agustin kaya tumakbo rin ako at sinundan siya.

"He's a thief!" I screamed while running. Dapat pala hindi na ako nag-treadmill kanina kung ganito lang pala ang mangyayari sa akin.

"He snatched my phone!" I screamed but no one seemed to care that I was chasing the thief. Ang iba'y nakatingin lang or di kaya'y vini-videohan kami.

I saw a man coming out from the main gate of San Agustin kaya sinigawan ko rin siya.

"Kuya,habulin mo!" Medyo nalito pa ang lalaki pero nang na-realize niyang nilagpasan siya ng mag-nanakaw ay na-gets na niya ang pang-yayari kaya tumakbo din siya at hinabol yung mag-nanakaw.

Dahil medyo malapit yung lalaki dun sa mag-nanakaw habang tumatakbo ay tinumba agad ng lalaki yung mag-nanakaw kaya napahiga ito sa daan...

Laking gulat ko na lang ng may kinuha itong kutsilyo mula sa kanyang pantalon at isinaksak dun sa lalaki.

Napaluhod ang lalaki kaya nakabangon ang mag-nanakaw at nakatakbo agad.

Nanginginig akong dumalo doon sa lalaki dahil kitang-kita sa puti niyang damit ang agos ng kanyang dugo mula sa pag-kakasaksak.

"I'm sorry..." This is my fault. I shouldn't have told him to chase the thief. "I'm sorry..." Tears started to pool my eyes. Naroon pa rin ang kutsilyo kaya hindi ko alam kung kukunin ko ba iyon o hahayaan lang na naka-tusok.

"Hindi, okay lang miss..." The man smiled despite the pain he was feeling.

I can't imagine if I was in his state. Mahihimatay siguro ako sa sobrang kaba. Ang baba pa naman ng pain tolerance ko.

"Ma'am, kami nang bahala rito..." May mga lumapit na pulis sa amin kaya tumayo ako at hinayaan silang mag-asikaso sa lalaki.

"Please call the ambulance..." I said while wiping my tears.

Medyo nagkakagulo dito sa amin kaya traffic tuloy at halos lahat ng mga mata ay nakatingin sa akin o di kaya'y sa lalaking nakahiga.

Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko sakaling may mangyaring masama sakanya.

I mean... it's my fault why he ended up in that state. I should be responsible. We were waiting for the ambulance when I felt that I was stepping on something so I looked down and saw that it was a school ID.

Pinulot ko iyon at nakita ang school lace indicating that it is from San Agustin.

"Redil, Clyde S." It was the man that helped me.

And he's from the department of Engineering.

I looked at Clyde as he was transferred to a stretcher.

Lumapit ako sa ambulansiya at pumasok na roon.

"Please be strong..." I said as I held his hands.