Before Descended Afternoons

11

The morning sunlight woke me up. I stretched, still drowsing and enjoying the warmth of the covers. I opened my eyes and a wooden ceiling greeted my sight.

I got up like a scalded cat when I realized I'm in an unfamiliar space. I wandered my gaze around the room at napahawak sa ulo nang kumirot 'yon. Darn it. Where the hell am I? What happened?

I slowly went out of the bed, trying not to make any sound. Who's the owner of this room? It's so tacky. It's like an old man's room.

Agad na dumaan ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Bumilis ang kabog sa dibdib.

Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili. Nothing feels... wrong. I don't feel anything.

I gripped my hair, recalling what happened before I lose my consciousness last night at the bar. I was talking to a girl. She was so loud. I was calling her Maki Zenin. Damn. Then what... I heard a man's voice.

That's it. I couldn't remember anything anymore. It was like I was shut down right after that moment. Who could've possibly brought me here?

I was fine. My clothes are the same clothes I was wearing when I left auntie's house—wait. This is a different shirt.

It's a worn out white t-shirt. I held the hem of the shirt and stared at the imprinted words on it.

I ❤️ BAGUIO

Kumunot ang noo ko. The shirt was too big it almost reached my knee. I was still wearing the same pants.

I turned to the window when I heard numerous noises coming from that direction. It's like noises from different animals. I could hear pigs. Chickens. Goats? Horses.

Horses.

Agad akong napatakbo sa may tabi ng bintana at tinignan ang labas ng kwarto na kinaroroonan ko.

The surroundings was familiar. It has a similarity to auntie and uncle's farm. I think I saw the trees here from there.

I slapped my cheek a little. Am I dreaming? This feels so weird. Nahihilo pa yata ako. Why am I in uncle's farm?

I flew my gaze back outside and saw a middle aged man. I rubbed my eyes, trying to squint and get a better view of the old man's face. Namilog ang mata ko nang makilala 'yon.

Gi's uncle. It's that man in his 50s I saw in the farm. At the barn.

Siya ba ang nagdala sa'kin dito? How did he see me? Does it mean he already told uncle or auntie about me? No way. Did they find out that I was in the bar last night and was so drunk that I couldn't get up?

His gaze went to my direction. Agad akong nagtago sa gilid ng bintana.

I'm done for.

Napasapo ako sa noo. I started pacing back and forth inside the room and couldn't be still. I was fidgeting.

Fuck! What should I do? Should I just escape? But what for? If he brought me here then it's all done. I have nothing to explain anymore. I lose.

I glanced at the window, thinking if I could get out or fit through it. Sunod kong tinignan ang suot na t-shirt. Should I take this off first before escaping? But what about my own shirt? Where was it?

I moved around the small room, trying to find my shirt. It should be here. Tinignan ko ang ibabaw ng drawer maging ang loob n'on. Wala. I also searched the cabinet.

Hinanap ko ang laundry basket. Where could he have put it? I crouched, thinking it could be beneath the bed. Maybe it's in there. I don't care if it's dirty or what. I just need t—