I Found Love at Thirty Two

IX-William (Part 2)

"Nakatakas lang ako sa kanila. Tulungan mo ko. Parang awa mo na."

Hindi ko lubos maisip kung anong nangyari sa kanya. An hour ago, she was all mad but when she called earlier, she sounded as if she was in danger.

Mabilis man ang takbo ng kotse ko, I made sure that I won't miss any waiting shed along the way. Sa pagkataranta ko, di na rin ako nakapagtanong sa staff ng convenient store kung saan exactly yung Boulevard Condos and even Siri does not give any help. I asked for direction but my phone couldn't figure out. Ngayon pa sumabay ang mahinang internet kung kelang emergency. Bayad naman ako sa bills ko at naka gold plan. But the internet connection is just bad. What if I won't be able to make it on time? And woke up the next morning watching news about a beautiful woman found dead? What would I do?

'God help me find her. Lead the way Lord.'

Nagulat ako sarili ko na kahit di ko sadya, I called up for God's help. Kapag ganito palang sitwasyon, my inner self has no one to ask rescue from but God.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

Bulong na naman ng utak ko. Yes. That's one of the Bible verses na laging sinasabi ng mom ko. She said, I am a conqueror and I can overcome all challenges if I put my trust in Him.

I found myself turning off the car engine. Huminto ako sa isang lugar and closed my eyes.

'God, I know I've been a bad son, a worst one but please, make Your presence felt today.'

I opened my eyes and looked around. Wala pa ring waiting shed. Paano ko nga ba siyang hahanapin?

'Make Your presence felt Lord. I am humbly asking You.'

I don't know pero parang naramdaman kong medyo basa na ang pareho kong mata. Why do I even care for this woman? What are you doing to me Lord? I am not a caring type of person pero bakit sa isang stranger eh halos mabaliw ako? I just kissed her and Ive kissed a lot of woman and even had sex with them pero bakit sa babaeng to, bakit ganito ang tibok ng puso ko? Bakit natatakot ako sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa kanya? Bakit ako nagkakaganito?

This is not good but I cant control my hands. I kept on driving, going back and forth, moving around, pero wala pa rin akong makitang waiting shed. It's been past 30 minutes of going around the bush.

Hininto ko ulit ang kotse. Naisip ko mas makikita ko siguro siya kapag maglalakad ako. O kaya, I'd try to recall the scent of her perfume. Baka makatulong.

'Lord, God, You are powerful. HELP ME!'

Sigaw ng puso ko. Wala na talaga akong alam gawin. Wala na.

I got off the car and was about to walk when a balut vendor stopped me.

"Kuya, balot po?"

"Ahm... Sorry. Kasi may hinahanap ako. I don't think makakakain ako ng maayos, kahit na favorite ko pa yan."

Favorite ko ang balot like seriously. Isa ang balot sa mga unang Filipino food na kinain ko when I got here. They said pampatibay daw ng buto at.. pampalakas ng pagkalalaki.

"Favorite niyo talaga to sir? Eh ano ho bang hinahanap niyo? Baka matulungan ko kayo para makabili na ho kayo ng balot ko."

"Waiting shed."

"Waiting shed ho? Isa lang ho ang alam kong waiting shed sir. Yan ho sir oh."

Tinuro ng balot vendor ang isang waiting shed across the street at right before my eyes I saw a telephone booth. That means the woman is just somewhere near.

"Kuya, ito po ang one thousand pesos at calling card ko. Kapag kailangan niyo po ng tulong, tawagan niyo lang po ako."

"Talaga sir? Naku, biyaya po kayo ng Panginoon. Pupunta na ho ako ng Ospital. Kumpleto na ho ang pambayad namin."