Weeks After

W A 08

[W E E K S  A F T E R  VIII]

"Ano nang gagawin natin?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa harap at bumaling sa kaniya. I tried to compose myself again. Panic won't do anything. Napatingin din siya sa'kin sandali pero binalik din agad sa harap.

He looked like he's in a deep thought and I don't want to disturb him.

Bumalik ako sa pwesto ko kanina at kinuha ang duffel bag. I checked inside if I can get anything useful. To my disappointment, I find nothing.

Nagsimula naman akong maglibot sa silid, umaasang may makita. I even checked the other room, hoping to find some exit point.

I almost shout in frustration when I found still nothing, but I stopped myself.

Malabong salamin lang ang tanging nagtatago sa'min. With their numbers, it would only take seconds before they will be able to break it. A simple noise can put our life to its end.

I bit my lower lip while staring at the door. They were moving slowly, as if they are waiting for us to make a noise.

Nagsimulang gumalaw si Rehan, naglilibot-libot na din siya. He's even checking the ceiling, and I can't help but to look at it too.

And there! I saw a metal trapdoor!

"Maybe we can use that door." Alam ko namang naisip niya 'yun at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parang nagdadalawang isip pa siya. We're basically in the midst of life and death situation!

"We don't know where it leads. Baka mas lalo lang tayong mapahamak." Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What if 'yun naman pala ang daan? We should try." Yes, we have to fucking try all the opportunities given to us. We have to risk. "I'll go, and babalik ako kapag okay."

"What? Are you insane?" He looked at me as if I am the craziest person he'd ever met. "No, you will not go. You'll stay here until we find other way."

"Ah, oo. Maghihintay tayo ng oras para sumama sa liwanag. Sige." Sarcasm is visible in my voice as I uttered those words. "Just let me, okay? Kahit ngayon lang."

Hesitation is still visible in his face but then, he knew that he couldn't do anything. Kahit na tumanggi pa siya, tutuloy pa rin ako. If we didn't take risk at all, we will end up dying here. I smiled when he looked away, sighing.

"Make sure to be safe. Bumalik ka kapag ligtas ang daan, at bumalik ka kapag hindi." He's eyeing me carefully.

"Okay, okay."

Lumuhod siya sa sahig. Pinagpapasalamat ko na lang na hindi gan'on kataas ang kisame dahil hindi na ako mahihirapang abutin 'yun. Pumatong ako sa balikat niya. I tried to maintain my balance as I tried to reach the metal trapdoor.

Napahinga ako ng maluwag nang bumukas ito. Sumuot ako do'n at bumungad sa akin ang makipot na tunnel. I winced as I started to crawl.

Beads of sweat is forming in my forehead as I made my way in the narrow tunnel. Nararamdaman ko pa ang pagbaliktad ng sikmura ko dahil sa kaba na nararamdaman.

I tried to dismiss all the thoughts that is invading my system.

Kimberly, calm down. He's waiting for you to come back. You have to.

Gumapang lang ako nang gumapang hanggang sa unti-unti, may nakita akong liwanag. I flashed a success smile as I doubled my pace.

I just hope that everything outside that damn exit point is fine! I am too tired running away and thinking of ways.