Conquering Territories: Completed

24

"Okay. How are we going to do this?"

I thought a good news would welcome me when I entered the school classroom but, I guess Satan found his way to ruin my day. Umaga pa lang ay sama ng loob na agad ang bumungad sa akin, sa amin.

As much as possible, I want to start my day peacefully. Memories from what happened still lingered in my mind. Pakiramdam ko ay pinaglalaruan na naman ako ng panahon.

Jacob and Ravin were now standing in front of me. Hindi ko alam kung maiilang ba ako sa presensya nila o maiinis. Both of them radiated some kind of weird aura that made the whole commotion awkward. We don't have any choice but to stick with it.

I really thought that this project's already the worse thing, since I am with Jacob. Hindi ko naman alam na mas may ilalala pa pala ito.

Before our first class started, our professor called Jacob for something, and he came back with some news. Isasama sa aming dalawa ni Jacob si Ravin para sa project namin tungkol sa mga bata. I don't know if what emotion should I show. Naiilang ako na hindi ko malaman.

"Let's just stick with the same plan, De Luna," Jacob said before he walked towards his table and fixed his things. "Simulan na natin ito nang maaga para matapos agad," he continued.

Since our first and only class for today was now finished, I also fixed my things. May punto naman si Jacob na dapat simulan na namin ito agad. Ang alam ko, siya na ang bahala sa batang gagawan namin ng article para sa short paper namin.

Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang nangyari kahapon. That was my first time seeing him with children. T'was something unexpected when it comes to him. He actually looked like someone who would slaughter if his commands won't be followed.

"What plan is he talking about?" My thoughts were interrupted after hearing Ravin's voice. Hindi ko man lang napansin na nasa gilid ko na pala siya.

After some days of avoiding him, the awkwardness between us somehow faded but, it's still there. I still couldn't handle the pressure when he's around.

"Jacob knew someone that could possible help us for our project," I said before picking my things up. Kanina pa rin kasi naghihintay si Jacob sa pinto ng room. He might have his daily tantrums if we stayed a little longer.

"Saan tayo?" I asked as we walked towards the campus gate. For the first time, Jacob looked nervous. He wasn't this usually quiet. Para siyang kinakabahan na hindi ko malaman.

"Malapit sa dulo," he answered. Hindi na ako nagtanong pa dahil alam ko na rin naman kung saan ang tinutukoy niya. Isa pa, kung sakaling magtanong pa ako ay baka mainis na siya sa akin.

The three of us continued our way, silently. Jacob still looked nervous. Vin, on the other hand, looked awkward like he usually does. Para akong may kasamang mapapanisan na ng laway.

"Sasakay tayo ng isang tricycle. Diretso na 'yon sa pupuntahan natin." Jacob broke the silence as he walked towards the terminal. He immediately went for the back ride, leaving me with Vin having the seat inside.

"Come on." I heard Vin's voice, causing my senses to came back. Pumasok na ako sa loob ng tricycle at tinabihan si Vin. As if I do have a choice.

Malalim akong huminga nang makapasok ako sa loob ng tricycle. I don't know but the awkward air between the three of us somehow made me uncomfortable. Pakiramdam ko ay naubusan ako ng hiningan dahil sa kanilang dalawa.

While on our way, I couldn't help but to notice Vin tapping something on his phone. Para siyang galit na galit sa kinakausap niya. It looks like he's in a middle of an argument with someone. I tried to shrug those thoughts in my head and focused on the road. Masama pa rin ang bumasa ng chat ng iba.

An hour passed and we've reached our destination. A small house in a small neighborhood welcomed our sight. May ilang mga bata na rin akong nakitang naglalaro sa paligid. Maybe one of them was our prospect for today's feature.

"Dito tayo," Jacob said after we pay for the fare. "Masanay na lang kayo sa ingay ng mga bata rito. Hindi naman masasama ang ugali nila."

Jacob walked towards somewhere, and we have no choice but to follow him. Napansin ko na lang na hindi alam ni Vin ang gagawin niya, at saka ko lang naalala na nag-Filipino pala si Jacob kanina.

I don't have any choice but to gently pull Vin's shirt to get his attention, which caused him to turn his head. His eyes welcomed mine, making the awkward air to resurfaced again.

"Don't just stand in there. Follow me," I said before averting my gaze. Something about him really made me anxious.

The two of us followed Jacob, who walked as if we weren't here. Para lang siyang naglalakbay mag-isa dahil sa ginagawa niya. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung dapat na ba akong mainis o magalit. He was just making subtle actions that slowly hit my nerves.

Jacob stopped in front of a small wooden house. Ito na yata ang bahay na nasa pinakadulo ng lugar. Trees were growing beside the house, causing an calm feeling to materialize. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung dito ba talaga ang punta natin.

"Come in," Jacob said. This time, his voice became slow and calm. No, his voice wasn't calm. It felt like he was embarrassed because of something.

The inside of the house was far more different from the outside. A neat and classic cabin style house welcomed our sight. A small sofa bed was placed in the middle of the house, pillows on the top of it. I also noticed a door beside, the bedroom maybe.

"Wait, kaninong bahay ba ito?" Hindi ko mapigilang magtanong. As far as I remembered, we are going to see a child for our featured article. Wala naman sa plano namin ang pumunta pa sa bahay nila Jacob.

He took a deep breath. "Sa amin ang bahay na ito. I'll just go get my daughter para makapagsimula na rin tayo."

"I'll just go get my daughter para makapagsimula na rin tayo."

Seconds passed by until everything sinked in. Akala ko ay naglalaro lang ang pandinig ko sa akin pero, hindi. Jacob really do have a daughter. A daughter.