lines we cross

Chapter IV

I only packed three pairs of clothes I like that I brought here in the city. Ayaw kong iwan dito kasi may paggagamitan ako ng mga 'to. Dinala ko ang laptop at notebooks kaya bumigat ang back pack ko. Bitbit ko ang kulay black na tumbler nang lumabas sa room.

"Hue, ikaw na mag-lock," utos sa'kin ni Rosalia.

Pinahawak ko sa kaniya ang tumbler. I checked if the fan and the lights were off. Nang masiguradong walang nakalimutang dalhin ay ni-lock ko na. At bumaba na kami.

Ibinalik sa'kin ang tumbler. Bumaling ako sa dalawang naka-jeans at polo. Alvaro is sporting a dark blue polo and a black jeans while Gerard is in his red polo and blue jeans. May neck pillow silang dala, balak yatang matulog sa biyahe. Sabagay, maalikabok naman sa daan. Hindi nila mae-enjoy ang tanawin.

"You're okay naman sa hindi air-conditioned na bus, right? We're riding Sunrays bus kasi para less time sa travel," Rosalia asked, very concerned.

"Ayos lang naman," si Alvaro ang sumagot.

"Are you sure? We'll opt to Ceres bus if you don't like over-speeding."

Gerard and Alvaro became confused.

Of course, they didn't know how reckless Sunrays bus drivers are. It's even unbelievable that the bus line has less accident incidents than Ceres bus line who are keenly monitored by the company. I've heard that when a driver is caught over-speeding or doing any wrong acts on the road, he will be fired immediately. Also, the story behind their accidents that cause death is scary.

"Over-speeding is a crime, right?" Gerard said, not even sure if he's statement is a fact.

His girlfriend shrugged. "Not for Sunrays, and... not here in Cebu?"

"Bakit sumasakay pa rin kayo sa Sunrays kung ganiyan?"

"Kasi less time sa travel nga."

"How less?" Alvaro asked.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Rosalia. I looked away and stopped myself from smiling.

Sagutin niya 'yan. Pwede namang sa Ceres bus na lang. Nag-explain pa eh. Pinapahirapan pa niya ang sarili.

"Ang halos limang oras na biyahe ng Ceres ay mahigit tatlong oras lang ng Sunrays."

I understood the silence after that revelation. I don't know where they're from, yet the confusion in their faces tells me that they're residing here in the city their whole life.

Tahimik kaming naglalakad papuntang bus terminal. Malapit na kami sa destinasyon nang nagsalita si Gerard at sinigurado ang sinabi ng girlfriend niya. Natatawa namang kinumpirma iyon ni Rosalia at inalok na mag-Ceres bus na lang kami.

"Sunrays na lang. I want to confirm your statement. Baka nililinlang niyo lang kami eh."

Rosalia and I laughed.

One thing is for sure, hindi kami nagbibiro ni Rosalia. Nang na-scan na ang ticket naming apat ay sumakay na kami ng bus. Tatlumpong minuto ang hinintay namin bago umalis ang bus sa terminal at nagsimula ang kalbaryo ng dalawa, o ni Gerard lang pala.

Nasa pandalawahang silya kami kaya magkatabi ang magkasintahan at kami naman ni Alvaro. From time to time, naririnig ko ang mahihinang angal ni Gerard. Sa tuwing gano'n, sinusulyapan ko rin si Alvaro. Wala naman siyang reaksyon. Sa pansampu kong sulyap sa kaniya ay nakita ko pang tulog na. Prente lang siyang nakaupo sa tabi ko. Hindi man lang natakot sa takbo ng bus namin.

O baka nahimatay 'to?

I gently tapped his hand. He stirred.

Hala, tulog talaga siya.