28 Days As A Slave

Chapter 1 • Deal Or No Deal

Songs For Today's Chapter:
Safe and Sound - Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars
—–—–——
MAINE'S POV
"Nay, anong nangyari? Bakit hindi man lang ako na-orient?" Para akong baliw na nakikipag-usap sa sarili ko. Hindi pala, hindi ko kausap ang sarili ko, nanay ko ang kausap ko. Hindi siya makapagsalita dahil natrauma siya.

"Maine, sorry, hindi ko agad nasabi sayo na na-trauma siya," Kuya Justin said. "Eh di ba nag-eenjoy ka dun sa slumber party niyo ng kaklase mo eh I didn't want to interrupt you and besides, you won't even answer my call, you never— as in ever— answered any calls from me."

I facepalmed. What Kuya said is true, I should've thought that phone calls are important. "But is there a way for us to get money?"

"Sadly, no," Kuya murmured. "But I will find a way, I promise. At kung makita ko man yang Julius na yan, patay talaga yan sakin."

"Kuya, calm down," I told him. "Ama pa rin natin siya, okay?"

"Para sayo pero hindi siya naging ama sa akin. Iniwan niya tayo!" Kuya said with a tone of anger.

"Hay, sana naman gumaling na si—" I stopped blabbering when I saw the doctor enter our room.

"She will get treated immediately," the doctor said. "Just pay a fifty thousand—"

"Wow, just wow," I cried and got out of the room. How could we possibly pay that amount of money? Tapos isa pa akong college student.
————
It was lunch time and I was eating with Patricia when the cool and rich and hot boys walked past us. Then I thought of something, Gaanong kasaya ang buhay ng ganon? at Maganda ba ang dulot nito?. Patricia murmured, "Huy, may problema ka ba? Bakit ganyan ang mukha mo?"

"Wala ako problema," I tried my best to smile.

She smirked. "I don't believe you."

"Edi wag," I looked away.

"Best friend kita. Alam ko lahat ng ginagawa at iniisip mo," she said.

"Sige na nga," I looked straight at her in the eyes. "Si Mama kasi may sakit. Hindi man lang ako na-orient."

"Naku! Sorry, wala akong maitutulong, alam mo naman, mahirap lang din kami," she sadly said.

"Uy, wala akong hinhingi ah. Pero ayos lang yun," I smiled.
————
I was walking through the corridor to think of what to do with Mom. Besides, it's a good time to think kasi dark naman at walang tao kasi dismissal na. Nangalay yung kamay ko dahil sa librong dala ko. Siyempre may utak din ako, nilagay ko muna yung libro ko sa locker ko. Then tinalian ako ng isang guy in black at iniblindfold ako. "Tulong!"

About 1 km yung nilakad namin nung guy. Kidnapper tapos walang sasakyan. "Tulong!" I shouted. "Shh, wag ka ngang sumigaw," the kidnapper said.

Then he made me sit. He removed the rope he used to tie my hands together and removed my blindfold.

Wow.

He brought me to a beautiful park. This park has a fountain, birds, flowers, no people, and all sorts. "Ang bait mo namang kidnapper ka, hindi mo ako sa bodega dinala, sa park pa. Pero teka, sino ka ba?" I stood up and looked at him straight in the eye.

He removed his black mask. I think I know this guy. He lately walked past through Patricia and My table. "Are you one of the cool guys in school?"

"That's what they call me," He said. "And I am not a kidnapper. My name is Alden, anyway," then he offered his hand.

I stared at his hand for a minute. "Why would I accept that?"

"Because I'm here to help you— what's your name?" Alden asked.

"Maine," I told him. "At wait, tulungan saan?"

He scratched his head. "I heard your conversation with Patricia. Your mom is at the hospital, if I' m not mistaken and wala kang pera."

"Chismoso," I whispered.

"Ano?"

"Wala. Anyway, paano mo ako tutulungan?" I came closer to his face para magtaray. Then we stared at each other for a while. I was the first one to give up. "Paano?"

"Simple lang," he grinned. "Magiging slave kita."

"Magiging— WHAT?!" I gasped.

"Slave. For 1 month lang naman. Suwerte ka nga February ang natapatan mong buwan eh. 28 days." He smiled.

"What? No way!"

"Edi wa—"

"Huy eto naman hindi mabiro," I told him. "Magkano ba per day and ibabayad mo sa akin?"

"P20,000." Bobo to ah.

"Sabi ko per day hindi lahat lahat."

"Kaya nga, P20,000 per day."

I gasped. "If you are joking, then—"

"I'm not joking," he looked at me seriously. "So ano, deal?"

He offered his hand. I sighed. "Deal, para kay Mama," then I shook hands with him.