𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁: #2

Chapter 8

Theory

“Si Death?”

Nagtinginan silang lahat at nagturuan. “Sinong Death Marissa? Hala ka, patay ka kay papa, baka inlove kana ah!” tawa pa ni Collin at siniko naman siya ni Debbie sa tiyan.

“Gago.”

Parang nahiya ako. So it's a dream huh? Bakit parang totoo? And where is he pointing at? At my tummy? Ano ba ‘yon? Is it a sort of a what? May pinapahiwatig ba siya?

“Alam mo, kailangan mong suyuin si Valerie. Kasi, tinulugan mo siya...” tango ni Jaice bago lumabas kasama sila.

Damn it, bakit ba kasi ako nakatulog? Something's going on, hindi naman ako palatulog dati.

I went off the bed and went straight to the kitchen. Wala nang tao at baka wala na talaga sila dahil may kaniya-kaniyang pinuntahan. Napalingon ako sa may bintana ng may makita akong anino na parang nagmamasid sa akin. Oh god, what is that?

“Valerie?” I asked.

May biglang yabag na narinig ako pero I remained silent. Dinukot ko kaagad yung kutsilyo na nasa counter at handa ng iturok sa kanino.

Lumingon kaagad ako para maturok yun pero nakita ko si Valerie na gulat na gulat, “Fuck! Pwede ba! Ano ba! Get rid of that Marissa!” sigaw pa niya sabay layo sa akin. My brows shot up, she was breathing so heavily and I can't look at her.

“S-sorry...” sabay bitaw ko sa kutsilyo na ngayon ay nasa sahig na. I froze when I felt her aching for something. “V-val? Okay ka lang?”

She stopped me from going infront of her, “Stop, ‘wag lang lalapit. I'm fine, it's just small slice...”

Hindi na ako nagsalita at para nag-iba yung aura ko. I blinked so many times to prevent my tears from dropping. “Marissa! I said I'm fine!”

Tumitigas na naman ang ulo ko, but is it just me who wants someone to be safe? I don't wanna see Valerie getting something who came from me. My eyes closed when I touched her wound. “Marissa, I said I'm fine..”

Suminghot ako, “No, please let me—”

“I told you I'm fine, you should rest. Sadyang hindi ako kumatok dito, and it's my fault why I became like this,” she pushed me slightly before cupping my hands in her arms. Naramdaman ko naman ang sinseridad sa boses niya kaya tumakbo ako papunta sa kwarto.

Humilata na naman ako. Kaya lumabas nalang ako para mamasyal sa basement. I wanna see my sisters and brothers play their roles as country saviours.

Nakarating ako sa daan patungo sa basement but it was just books here? Wait, paano nga pala ako napunta sa basement that time? Did they renovate this?

“Uy Marissa,” napatingin ako sa likod ko ng may magsalita. It was Jigs. “What are you doing here?” he asked before smiling.

“Wala, namasyal lang.”

Tumawa siya, “Hindi ‘to park para pasyalan. You can't go inside the basement unless you know the code. So tara,” hinila naman niya ako kahit wala pa akong sinasabi.

“Saan tayo pupunta?” tanong ko habang kinakalagkad niya ako palabas ng basement.

He smirked, “Sa target mo. I know his house,” he said. “Ay, hindi pala house. Parang house house lang but not house literally, parang bakasyonan pero ginawang bahay.”

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya, “I was absent because I'm tired tapos dadalhin mo'ko sa bahay niya? Grabe, hindi mo ba ako papahingahin?” I glared at him but he repeatedly laughed.