R O O M 16 (Sixteen Series #1)

Part 12

TWELVE

It's normal to witness the darkness when you're asleep. But the darkness that I'm currently seeing is different from what I got used to see. I am floating. Everywhere is dark, but I felt like I was moving.

Napalinga-linga ako sa paligid. The darkness is endless. Am I dreaming?

Hahakbang pa sana ako nang bigla na lamang ako nakaramdam ng kung anong malakas na puwersa sa braso ko. I was pulled. Agad akong napalingon sa braso ko at laking gulat nang may makitang mukha. Mukha na nababalutan ng dilim.

The unknown shadow held my arm tightly. Nakaramdam ako ng sakit. Gustuhin ko mang sumigaw ay hindi ko magawa. Something is blocking my throat, the voice that wanted to come out cannot be heard. I struggled on the shadow's grasp.

"He...lp..."

That was the last words I heard before the shadow plunged on me and I jolted awake. Agad akong napapikit sa sinag ng araw na tumama sa mukha ko.

"Alas..."

Agad akong napalingon sa direksyon ng boses. Shane was looking at me. I can feel her tight grip on my shoulder.

"You okay?" she worriedly asked. Napapikit pa ako ng ilang beses upang mag-adjust sa liwanag ng paligid. I cleared my throat that seemed to dried out.

"Y-yeah..." I muttered. Umayos ako sa pagkakaupo at nang maka-adjust na ay saka ko lang narealize na huminto na pala ang sasakyan.

I looked around. Everyone is already fixing their things while some already went out.

"Where...are we?" I asked, airheaded.

Shane looked at me after she reached out for her bag in the upper compartment of the bus, "Kakarating lang natin dito sa Mordan Hotel Space. You should get up and fix your things. Sabi ni Sir Alevaro, pagkatapos nating magpahinga at mag-lunch ay didiretso tayo sa Southwest Ancient Place." She stated before turning her back on me.

Agad akong napatayo habang nakatitig sa labas ng bintana. I checked my watch, it is already 12:30 noon. Nakita ko ang mga kaklaseng kong papasok sa isang building dala-dala ang kanilang mga gamit. Inalis ko kaagad ang airpod na suot at binalik ito sa lagayan. Just as I was about to step ahead, I heard a noise behind.

Marahas akong napalingon sa likuran. I immediately relaxed after realizing that it was Nica who made the sound.

Parang nahihirapan pa siyang hilahin ang bag niya sa ibabaw ng compartment. Nica is obviously a short woman, with her short legs, she was struggling to reach for the bag. I walked towards her.

"Akin na." Pagpresinta ko.

She stopped and stared at me. Mukhang nagdalawang-isip pa bago umatras at bigyan ako ng espasyo.

I reached for her bag using my right arm. Hindi naman pala masyadong mabigat.

"Ako na ang dadala nito palabas." I announced and smiled at her.

Tatalikod na sana ako ng marinig ko ang boses niya.

"Ace..."

Lumingon ulit ako sa kaniya, magkasalubong ang kilay, "Huh?"

She opened her mouth and was about to say something but then closed it again and shook her head.

Although I was waiting for her to say something, I decided to turn my back after realizing that she's not going to say anything.

Nakita ko kaagad si Papa sa labas ng bus na may kinukuhang mga bag. Napalingon siya sa direksyon ko. He immediately gestured for me to come to him. I walked towards him and checked for my bag.