My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 14

"Where the fuck are we going, Karlos?" naiirita kong tanong habang naglalakad kami sa mapunong lugar na 'to.

I looked around. The towering trees seemed like they will swallow us the moment the moon turns its back. The sound of crickets was the only thing you'll hear. It's already night time. Madilim na ang paligid. But thankfully, the moon was lighting our way.

"Basta." he answered.

This kid. Doesn't he know that it's not good for kids to be outside, in the woods, at this time of the night?

Napayakap ako sa sarili ko when the cold breeze kissed my skin. "Baka mag-alala sina Aling Isay. I think we should go back, Karlos."

Umiling siya, "No. I decided to help you. Just this once. Inamin mo na kasing may feelings ka para kay Antonio."

"Should I be thankful?" I said, rolling my eyes heavenward.

"You should. Malaki ang maitutulong ko sa'yo ngayon." he said, confidently.

Nagtaka naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Ano ba 'yun?"

Instead of answering, mas binilisan niya ang paglalakad. Huminto siya sa tapat ng isang malaking bato. At saka naupo na para bang nasa likod ng batong 'yun ang taong pinagtataguan niya.

I stomped my feet at sumunod sa kanya.

Hindi ko alam ang tumatakbo sa utak ng batang 'to. Ganun ba talaga kapag mga nasa one thousand na ang edad? Geez. Maniniwala pa ba ako sa batang 'to?

Nang makalapit ay namewang ako at tinignan siya ng masama, "What the hell are you-"

He pressed his index finger against his lips telling me to shut my mouth. Then he motioned me to sit down.

"Ano bang meron?" I asked under my breath.

"Up ahead is the house of a spanish friar." he answered saka muling sumilip.

"What?"

"We'll be spies." he answered with a playful grin on his face. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang mapairap. I faced the huge rock at inangat ng kaunti ang sarili para makita kung ano ang tinitignan ni Karlos.

A few meters away from us is a huge colonial mansion. Its walls are made of bricks and the windows are made from wood. Madilim na ang first floor ng bahay tanging ang mga lamp post lang ang nagbibigay ng liwanag sa baba. Sa itaas naman ay isang silid lang ang may ilaw.

Napansin ko din ang mga lalaking nagbabantay sa paligid. Most of them are filipinos but they are wearing the uniforms that the spanish guards have.

"Hold my hand, Kristin." naibalik ko ang tingin kay Karlos.

"What?"

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi sa mukha nito, "Pupunta tayo dun."

My eyes grew wide, "Are you nuts? We're gonna get ourselves killed! For pete's sake, Karlos!" 'Di na niya ako pinatapos na magsalita at hinawakan na ang kamay ko.

Hinila ko pa ito pero, sa 'di malamang dahilan, anlakas ng batang 'to. Maliit ang kamay pero ang lakas kung makakapit.

"Karlos! If you want to die, die on your own!" pag-angal ko. But Karlos doesn't seem to hear me. He was just looking at the mansion with a devilish grin plastered on his face.

This is my first time seeing him like this. Para bang may pinaplano siyang masama. And it makes me nervous. I could feel the pounding of my heart. Karlos has an angelic face, but what I'm seeing right now is the total opposite.