Damn it, Maria! (Squad Series 1)

9 🌈 Caleb, The Savior

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Masunurin si Caleb sa batas. As much as he can, he follows rules and act like a good citizen. Well, he is, if it's in his favor. Ngunit sa kasalukuyan, hindi siya isang huwarang mamamayan. His car sped into the night, not stopping at red lights and signal.

Mabuti nalang walang traffic at masyadong tao sa kalsada. Isa pang nakatulong ay malapit na distansya ng kanilang paaralan. He reached the school within a few minutes.

Pinigilan si Caleb ng guard sa maingate bago pa maipasok ang sasakyan. He forgot to bring his school ID despite a made up excuse why he had to go there in the middle of the night.

Fortunately, he was a prominent student. Kilala siya ng mga gwardya kaya pinapasok. Wala din siyang planong magsumbong tungkol kay Maria. It would make a bigger issue and drag his name. Ayaw niyang malaman ng ama na napahamak ang babae kanyang pangangalaga.

Kapapatay lamang ng makina, agad siyang bumaba at halos takbuhin ang storage building. He cursed looking at the dark lit path.

It's not that he's afraid of the dark. Masamang ala-ala lamang ang dulot ng storage building. Dito siya muntik ialay ni Maria sa demonyo at ngayon ay babalik upang iligtas ito.

He just wished Matthew heard it correctly. Kapag nagkataon ay hindi niya alam saan maghahanap sa laki ng Ferguson Academy.

Ilang metro pa lang ang layo, panadalian siyang tumigil at niyakap an sarili sa lamig. Tumingala si Caleb sa kalangitang unti-unting nawawalan ng bituin dahil sa paparating na ulap.

Bahagyang lumakas ang ihip ng hangin, nagkiskisan ang mga dahon. A few more steps, he heard a soft humming. He hesitated to take another step. But then mumbled 'Screw it' and walked faster until finally, he was at the door.

He heard a hum of a soft melody.

"♪ Hmm... aha... aha... ♪"

Hanggang nagkaroon na ng salita, boses babae. Tuluyang luminaw at lumakas ang tinig nito.

♪hmm... silong... hmmm
aha... Hmm-mmm...♪

Ngayon ay sigurado kung sino ito.

"Maria?" tanong niya, kumatok.

"Mon-mon?" anito mula sa loob, "ikaw ba 'yan?"

"It's me Caleb," giit niya sa pormal na pangalan.

"Mon-Mon, ilabas mo ako, sige na. Kanina pa ako sumsisigaw eh, hindi yata nag roronda ang guard," at dinugtungan, "Di na kita susuntukin sa ilong, pramis."

This could be his chance to outsmart her. However, he was too occupied to unlock door before the guard could catch them.

"Fine," tanging sambit niya, sinusuri ang kandado. "Just, wait for me..."

"Natatakot ako."

Tumigil ang kamay niya sa pagkalikot nn kandado. In his ears, her voice was so tiny, vulnerable, like a child.

"Then... sing, until I get you out."

"Kahit anong kanta?"

"Kahit ano."

Nagsisi siya kung bakit pumayag. Kumanta ng kumanta si Maria hanggang narindi siya sa lyrics nito

"♪ Sa silong ni Kaka
aha-aha!
may taong nakadapa
kaya pala nakadapa
naninilip ng palaka ♪