Covenant in the Wilderness

Chapter 8: Partner

Inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid kasabay ng mga mabigat na paghinga. This... is just a park.

"Is this what you want to see?" Pinantay sa akin ng lalaking kasama ko ang sarili niya at nilagay ang isang kamay sa bulsa niya.

More like a kid's park with polished wooden benches and a trimmed grass field. A wide oval area, plants are everywhere and the place looks well-organized. I've never been here. Ito ang unang punta ko rito sa area na ito, mukha ito na ang hangganan ng University.

"Every fraternities have their own parks, this is ours," he said nonchalantly. "Wider than that kindergarten classroom. They organized this place to look like one, so people will not encounter any suspicion."

Barb wires surrounded the place, the rounded spikes were even bigger than the fence itself. May mga tao sa lugar, kanya-kanyang usapan at hindi binabaling ang tingin sa amin na nasa harap ng gate. Parte pa nga ito ng CLSU, nakita ko sa mga naglalakihang puno na nakapaligid.

"I've done your favor, tell me your plan now," he whispered, I looked at him. Pinagdikit niya ang labi niya at tinaasan ako ng isang kilay. "Are you planning to turn this down?"

"No..." Inilipat ko ang tingin sa mga taong nasa paligid at mabagal na napakurap. They are just normal college students in different courses, people whom I pass by everyday. All of them, they've been through hazing just to be initiated here.

"What do you want then?" he boredly asked me again.

Yung nangyaring aksidente kay Yandiel, kung paano siya binugbog at hinampas ng bakal ng mga lalaking 'yon. Now, I don't even know if he can even walk at his state.

Masyado nang maraming nagyayaring bayolente dito at wala man lang nagbibigay ng pansin. I'll wait for the perfect moment to turn this down, I know I'm not alone, I will never be alone here.

"I want to join here,"

"Hindi, hindi pwede." Tumalikod siya sa akin at hinawakan ang braso ko. "Umuwi ka na kung wala ka rin naman gagawin."

"Saglit lang." Inalis ko ang kamay niya sa braso ko. "I'll go inside."

Pasimple kong nilibot ang tingin sa paligid habang nilalakad namin ang mahabang hallway, may apat na malaking silid na nakapaligid sa park. Malinis ang paligid, maayos ang mga pintura at kung titingnan ay para normal lang ito na facility ng school. This is their fraternity's new park, they must have big funds to be in this place, ang park ng ibang mga grupo ay hindi ganito kalaki.

"Our executive isn't here, I've already said who will face you once you enter here."

Nanahimik ako, I'm more glad to face that person. I've been waiting for months just to see that person. Buti naman.

"You're quite brave," rinig kong bulong niya at tumawa ito nang mahina. Tumigil siya sa harap ng isang pinto sa pinakadulong silid. Lumamig ang hangin kahit umaga pa lang, makulimlim rin ang panahon. Hindi ko alam kung matapang ako, magaling lang akong magpigil ng takot.

He extended his hand and knocked on the door. My breathing became irrational and my heart was throbbing annoyingly. I'm not scared, there's no reason to be scared.

"Bagong recruit!" sigaw ng lalaking kasama ko sa kung sino man na nasa loob. Tumingin ito sa akin nang makahulugan. "Go in, let's see what he'll do to you."

Huminga ako nang malalim at hinawakan ang knob ng pinto para pihitin ito. The wooden door created a creaking sound as I slowly opened it. I finally raised my head as soon as I stepped inside the office. It was a very cozy office, neat and minimal, the aircon inside made me shiver even more.

Natigilan ako nang makarinig ng mahinang pag-tikhim sa gilid. Tinapangan ko ang mga mata ko at inalis ang aking emosyon. I slowly turned my gaze to the man sitting on the desk, grinning playfully, looking amused on my presence. My lips pursed in agitation. I knew it was him.