Hidden String

Chapter 01

Chapter 01: Where I Get It

I keep roaming around this whole house but I cannot see him. Lahat ng bagay rito ay maayos tignan, kaso lang ay maalikabok. Parang ilang taon ding walang nanirahan dito. Nang subukan kong dumungaw sa nakita kong bintana, ang gilid nito’y may mga tuyong lumot na. Nangitim na ang mga ito kahit puti ang kulay ng pader ng bahay.

"Wait, napuntahan ko na ito..." I mumbled when I face another familiar hallway. Napahilot ako sa sariling sentido. "Sir, can you show up, please?" pakiusap ko sapagkat hindi ko na kinakaya ang hilo na nararamdaman ko.

Alam kong hindi pa ako nakakalipat ng floor dahil wala pa akong nadaanang hagdan. Bakit kasi ganito ang layout ng bahay na ‘to? Dati ba ‘tong maze?

"I thought you don't want to see me."

Natigilan ako nang may magsalita sa aking likuran. Mukhang kanina pa siya bumubuntot dahil sa bilis ng kaniyang pagtugon.

Mabilis akong lumingon at sa wakas, nakita ko na ang pinanggagalingan ng lalaking boses.

He has a masculine body. He's wearing a white casual shirt and the first three buttons were unbuttoned, paring with his black trousers and black oxford shoes. As my eyes went up to his face, I noticed how neat his pompadour haircut is. Bumagay iyon sa makapal niyang kilay at mahaba-habang pilik mata. He has surprisingly, a hazel round eye, high-bridge pointed nose, and normal shape of lips, while his mustache is slightly visible.

How can he look this good?!

I also have this natural straight and shoulder leveled hair with thin brows but long and curly lashes. Medyo nahiya lang ang normal Filipina kong ilong sa tangos ng ilong niya, but it's not bad because my natural nose gives more beauty and character on my face! Medyo may kakapalan naman ang labi ko pero visible ang cupid's bow rito. I also have this reversed-triangle body shape, na kahit gusto kong magpataba, hindi ko magawa. But overall, his looking goodness won't surpass my natural beauty. Hindi ko feel mahiya sa kaniya!

I slightly raised my chin and acted confident, despite the nervousness and embarassment. Kung may balak man siyang masama sa akin, acting fearless can help.

"W-what am I doing here?" I queried.

D*mn that stutter. Bakit ngayon pa?

I cleared my throat and continued, "I couldn't remember entering this kind of house."

He stares at me, slightly squinting his eyes like he's analyzing my actions. Mula sa pagkakahalukipkip, ibinulsa niya ang kaniyang mga kamay sa bulsa ng kaniyang trouser.

"Follow me," he ordered then walked pass beside me.

Nilunok ko ang laway kong gusto nang magpalunok. Huminga ako ng malalim bago siya sinundan.

At least, hindi siya multo.

From the hallway, we turned right; walked straight, then turned left, then turn right again. Huminto siya at ginaya ko lang. We're now facing nothing new. It's just the same dark brown wallpaper that I just got tired looking at.

He just stares at it, so do I. Pero dahil mainipin ako, itatanong ko na sana kung ano na ang mangyayari, kung lilipad ba kami, sasayaw, o ano – pero bigla itong nagkaroon ng guhit sa gitna hanggang sa maghiwalay ang pader. Nakita ko ang sariling repleksyon doon.

It's an elevator with a mirror wall!

I silently sighed.

Pumasok siya roon at sumunod ako. Tinignan ko ang pinindot niya sa gilid. We're currently on the second floor going to the first floor. May limang numero akong nakikita pero may base ito at may unknown button sa taas ng number 5. Why isn't it leveled as sixth floor? Dahil ba may multo?