Woven on Time (Student Series #3)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon sa kinahihigaan, hinahabol ang paghinga at tumatagaktak ang pawis sa noo, gilid ng mukha, at sa aking leeg kahit pa nakabukas ang aircon. I waited until my sight adjusted in the dark and the dim light from the moon outside finally helped me to see a bit of my room.

Nilingon ko ang direksyon ng side table at lumapit doon para buksan ang lampshade. I pulled my legs up and hugged them like they were the only walls to keep me sane. I nestled my forehead between my knees while my shoulders shook as I cried.

All images were blurred but I could hear cries, pleas, and gunshots. It seemed it happened in real life. It was horrible. At tulad ng madalas, hindi na ako nakakatulog kaya matapos kong kumalma, nagbasa na lamang ako ng libro hanggang sa tuluyan nang sumilip ang araw sa labas ng bintana.

I closed the book I was reading and put it back on the shelf. I was tying my hair into a messy bun when a knock on the door made me turn in its direction.

"Nuala, gising ka na?" ang marahang tanong mula sa taong kumatok.

"Yes," I answered without opening the door. "I'll just take a quick shower first."

"Alright, then. Nagluto na ako ng almusal natin. Sabay na tayong kumain pagkatapos mo diyan."

There was no response from me after that. Wala na rin naman akong narinig mula sa kaniya. Tinanggal ko ang suot na reading glass bago nagtungo sa bathroom para maligo.

Nagtagal ang babad ko sa bathtub sa pag-iisip nang malalim. Kahit anong hilot sa sentido para makaalala, hindi ko magawa.  I sighed heavily. Tinapos ko ang pagligo at nagpalit ng ternong spaghetti strap top at shorts.

Sinusuklay ko pa ang basang buhok habang naglalakad patungo sa kusina nang namataan ang nag-iisang kasama sa bahay na ito. He was sitting on one of the chairs in front of the dining table. His arms crossed over his chest and ruminative eyes fixed at the plate on the table.

Mabilis na umangat ang tingin niya sa akin nang naglakad na ako palapit sa table. Tumayo siya para hilahin ang upuan sa kaniyang kanan kaya roon ako umupo.

"Salamat po," mahina kong isinatinig.

"Kumain na tayo. Aalis ako pagkatapos at... ikaw..." aniya habang umuupo at tumingin sa akin. "Kung may gusto kang puntahan, sasamahan kita pagkauwi ko. Hindi naman ako magtatagal."

His tone was gentle but his voice was low and husky. He's two years and a half ahead of my age. Tumigil sa pag-aaral pansamantala. He said he was hired as my bodyguard then... until now.  

I'm all alone. I don't know who hired him and if he's paid accordingly. Ilang beses akong nagtanong tungkol doon pero tikom ang bibig niya. In the end, hindi ko na pinilit. Kung manghihingi man siya ng suweldo, hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng pera.

I glanced at our background. He said this is his family friend's house. Every single thing here looks expensive. Kaya lang ay walang tao bukod sa aming dalawa.

"Nuala," he called when I didn't reply to his question. "Ayos ka lang?"

"Ah... o-opo." Dinampot ko na ang sandok ng kanin para maiwasan ang kaniyang tingin.

"Nakatulog ka ba nang maayos?"

Tumango ako nang tipid.

Eulalie Foinnuala Lanzaderas. That's my full name based on my birth certificate he had shown me. Only child. My birthday is on the 15th of October. Junior high school completer. 

Naaksidente dalawang taon na ang nakalipas at gumising lang nitong nakaraang tatlong buwan. My Dad was dead and my Mom was in prison. Sa maraming impormasyong sinabi sa akin ang bodyguard tuwing may tanong ako at sinasagot niya, ito ang pinakaimportante sa akin. Although I didn't ask him yet the reason behind my father's death and mother's imprisonment.