Time and Fallen leaves

Man On A Wire

"Are we seriously going to sleep here?" Jake asked, almost hysterical. Tinawanan lamang siya ni Erin at ginulo ang buhok nito. Of course Jake hasn't tried sleeping on a motel before; he hasn't tried sleeping on an old mattress, aware that there might be bed bugs on it. Despite living a somehow decent life, hindi pa rin makakalimutan ni Erin ang panahon na nandoon siya sa orphanage. That place holds a lot of memories, memories she will forever treasure.

"It's just one night" pagkumbinsi ni Erin at naunang umakyat sa hagdan papunta sa kanilang designated room. Kakaunti lamang ang nakaparadang kotse kaya hindi na kailangan ni Erin mangamba na baka may makakita sakanila or worse, a paparazzi might take a photo of her with Jake entering a motel room.

"It feels like forever" tila batang reklamo ni Jake. Bago pa buksan ni Erin ang pinto ay inunahan siya nito. Dahan-dahan niyang binuksan ang pinto at sinilip ang buong interior before summoning Erin to come inside. Pagpasok naman nila ay tinignan ni Jake ang bawat sulok ng kwarto, sa ilalim ng lamp shade, sa ilalim ng kama, and even the bathroom.

"What are you doing?" Natatawang tanong ni Erin. Jake looked like he's in a spy movie sa sobrang aligaga nito.

"I'm checking for tap wires or hidden cameras. We will never know" may katwiran nga naman si Jake, he really is intelligent. Ni hindi man lang naisip iyon ni Erin.

"You should wash up, I'll just ask for help sa owner para dalhin yung car ko dito"

"Okay"

Lumabas si Jake ng kwarto nila at pinunta ang office ng may ari ng motel na ito. Since there is no tow truck around and Jake doesn't want to wait until the morning ay nagpatulong na lamang siyang itulak ang kotse papunta rito.

While waiting for Jake to come back, sinulit niya na ang oras na wala siyang kasama. She decided to take a shower since kanina pa nito suot ang damit sa taping. She wanted to get rid of her casual clothes and switch to a comfy one. Mabuti na lamang at may hot shower naman kaya hindi na siya nag-atubili pang maligo. The warmth of the water running through her body made her feel at ease. Napapikit siya at muling inalala ang nakaraan, hoping it would still stay the same once she met them again.

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"You really don't remember what happened?" Takang tanong ni Keen kay Leeon but he was only replied with a glare.

"Si Erin nalang tatanungin ko, what were you two doing at a woman's bathroom?" Nakisali na rin si Chrys at hinarap si Erin which made her flinch, she really felt uncomfortable everytime Chrys would look at her, it's like he's glaring at her for a reason she doesn't even know.

What's worse ay lahat na nakatingin sakanya, mabuti na lamang at sila-sila lamang ang nasa loob ng office. Dahil kung hindi, Erin would probably wish she would just vanish into thin air. She can't bear the spotlight pointed on her, she looked at Leeon's direction but the latter only shook his head.

What should I say?

She was only helping that night, anong masama kung sabihin niya ang totoo? Why is Leeon so adamant on keeping it a secret? They're his friends, even Keen says it's normal to feel weak and vulnerable especially if one's drunk.

"I...need a lawyer" seryosong saad ni Erin dahilan para magsitawanan ang nasa loob ng office. Chrys and Jake's laughter were the most audible. Erin could see the slight lift of Leeon's lips, he was trying his best not to look interested into whatever they were talking about. Ayaw niya rin na siya ang nasa spotlight kaya hindi niya pinapansin ang mga ito.