Before Descended Afternoons

21

"Saglit lang... w-what's happening?" I turned to uncle, asking him, but he just sadly shook his head. I turned next to manang but she did just the same, too.

"Wait, why— why are they taking Gi?"

"Aino— "

I watched as the police held him, as if he'll try to escape like he isn't handcuffed. He wasn't looking at me, and I waited, I counted seconds for him to set his gaze on me, but he didn't. He was only looking ahead, his eyes fixed in front of him like he's avoiding my direction.

So I called him. I want to talk to him. I want to know why they're taking him... and I want to know why he's letting them.

"Gi!"

I stepped towards the two police but auntie held me back while uncle stopped me, too. Pinilit kong alisin ang kapit sa'kin ni auntie pero pati si manang Doris ay hinawakan na rin ako para pigilan.

"Kakausapin ko lang si Gi." My voice broke. "Gi, why... why are you letting them take you? You didn't do anything wrong." I tried to catch his attention. He didn't answer, heck, he never bothered even looking my way. It caused me a tingling pain on my chest, and I don't know what could hurt me more at the moment; if it's the fact that he's letting them take him or this one where he wasn't even trying to look at me.

"W-where are you taking him? Auntie, Manang... bitawan niyo po ako." Auntie was still crying, tightening her hold. "Please. Let me go... Wala po siyang ginawang masama." Naramdaman ko ang pamumuo ng luha sa mga mata ko. "Uncle, do something. Kaibigan ko po siya! Auntie!"

Auntie kept on shaking her head, crying. "Tama na, Aino. Hayop sila... Paano nila nagawa 'yun sa pamangkin ko?" Umiiyak na sabi niya. "Mga demonyo. Mabubulok sila sa kulungan."

It was my turn to shake my head. "No, auntie. Gi didn't do anything to me. He won't do that to me, niligtas niya po ako." I explained to make her believe me, my shaky breath proving how my chest began tightening as I watched him enter the police car.

I felt weak when they left, and I wasn't even able to do something to at least stop them. I knew I couldn't really convince them not to take him, but I hope I was able to try. I wish I had done something to make him not leave, talk to me, or look at me, even with just a side glance. And I knew why he was like that. He must be hating me right now... He must be blaming me for saving me that night because, in the end, he's the one who took the blame. I want to say sorry and tell him I'm going to save him this time, but the people around me don't want me to. They are eager to think that he's one of the perpetrators, and I'm so mad... I'm so sick of hearing them hate him more than the one who was actually at fault.

"Auntie... Wala po siyang ginawa sa'kin. Niligtas niya po ako. Please, let's follow them. I'm—I'm going to tell them that he wasn't the one who—"

"Hilda, makinig ka sa pamangkin mo—"

"Hindi! Aalis ka na dito, Aino. Hindi ka na makikipagkita du'n. At di'ba sabi ko sa'yo 'wag kang lalapit du'n?" She furiously cut off uncle and what she said hurt like a blade. She couldn't even say his name or pertain to him as a person. It hurt me, and I knew it would hurt Gi more if he's hearing it. Wala akong karapatan na masaktan sa nangyayari dahil ako ang puno't dulo nito.

"Umiiyak ang mama mo ngayon... dahil naging pabaya ako. Hindi ko lubos maisip na nangyari sa'yo 'yun at wala... wala akong kaalam-alam." she sobbed and manang patted her.

I couldn't say anything when I heard about Ma. I was too shocked by everything and I don't know what to think first or what to put into consideration at the moment. I'm running out of reasons to make as an excuse to dodge everything, because right now, I knew that I had to face all of it. I was really going to, but I didn't think it would be this fast. I can't back out anymore.