Forced

Chapter 16

Alaska's PoV

A brown thick leather shoe. Foot size of a kid. I stare at Cueva's new vintage shoes that I was planning to give her yesterday. It's been three days and they're not yet here. I thought they'll come back but they didn't. May pa ngisi-ngisi pa akong nalalaman noon pero hanggang ngayon wala pa sila dito.

"Alaska"

Where the hell did they go? I am trying to find them, even his bags are still here. Where the hell are they? Are they heading back to Manila? US?

"Alaska Schidmt Fisioterapueta!"

Nabalik ako sa aking matinong isip. Hindi ba ako matino?

"Are you okay?" East asked.

"Huh?Sorry, what? Yes-No-YES. I am okay. It's just that, hindi pa bumabalik si Cueva" I responded.

"Si Cueva nga ba?" He asked intently.

Si Cueva lang nga ba?

"Yes. I mean, HINDI pa niya inuuwi is Cueva sa akin" sagot ko.

"Divorce parents na de-scheduled ang anak sa kanila ang peg?" He asked sarcastically.

"This is a problem" I mumbled. I thought he'll appear today. Buset na Lyle, he always put another sama ng loob to my system. Nakita na nga ang anak ng Chronos tapos sila na naman yung hahanapin ko? Nakakasakit sa ulo talaga yung kupal na 'yon.

"Do you have his number?" Tanong ko kay East.

"Try mo kay, Josh. Use your brain ha, huwag ka lang tanong ng tanong." East suggested.

Ilang araw ng lumipas at hindi ko 'yon naisip. Hindi nga ako matino.

I go to Josh's house. We are in the same neighborhood and nandito na kami sa bahay ko. My house.

"Darling" bungad sakin ni Madame Simiona.

"Where's Josh?" I asked her.

"He's in school, why?" She answered.

"Nevermind. I'll go na po" I said goodbye to her and went out. I go straight to my garage and drive away.

East has his own business and we barely mind our businesses, just like this. I know where they are. Bumalik sila sa Oroquieta I'm sure.

I put on a wig and a sports jacket and a cap. Now I look like a girl who is a gym rat.  This is a one-hour drive. I haven't eaten my breakfast so I pulled over in a karenderya.

"Sure ka bang si Ventedoz 'yon?" I heard two people talking. It's a teacher and a student. They look alike, they're siblings I should explain.

"Aguea!Naligo ka ba?" The other girl asked her sister.

"Grabe ka ha" sarcastically said as she eat the whole dessert. Mukbanger ba siya?

I put money as a tip under the plate and leave the place. Their bas-oy is good.

***

"I told myself na nandito kayo and my instincts didn't get wrong on predicting. Nasan si Cueva?" I asked seriously.

"If you're planning to teach her how to kill, I don't give her to you. I'm tired of understanding you. I thought you were doing this to give justice, but this isn't right." I'm out.

"I'm asking you, where is Cueva?"

"Stop this, please"

"Inuulit ko, hindi na ako ang Alaska na nagugustuhan mo. Hindi na ako ang nakilala mong malakas mangtrip. So ibigay mo yung bata sa'kin." I demanded.