Prisoner's Base (COMPLETED) #YourChoice2017

PB16: Masterpieces

                         Z. SANDERS

"WHERE do you think you're going?"

I'm dead!

Binitiwan ko ang door knob at dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa aking likuran. Bakit kung kailan ako nagmamadali, saka naman siya dumating?

"Why?" I casually asked, trying to hide the panic within me. Nakasuot na siya ng puting pajama at t-shirt. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang nakapusod ang buhok at may salamin. Minsan nakakapagtaka din ang babaeng 'to. Bigla na lang siyang magpapakita kung kailan hindi dapat.

"Saan ka pupunta? It's almost eleven in the evening." Her voice seemed accusing. Hindi ko siya masisisi. Sino ba naman kasing matinong tao ang lalabas na lang bigla dis-oras ng gabi?

Pinilit kong mag-isip ng alibi ngunit wala na akong mahagilap sa kasuluk-sulukan ng utak ko. I'm not the kind of person who tell a lame excuse, except if my past is involve. Somerset isn't an ordinary girl. She's an observer and can also read what other people think, she'll not buy a stupid alibi.

I let out a sigh. I guess it's better to tell the truth rather than killing my brain to think for a reason. "We're going to investigate," I whispered in defeat. Hindi ko gaanong nilakasan ang boses ko, baka may makarinig pang iba.

"We are?"

"Me and Aos. It's Ben Santillan's case."

Tumingin ito sa kanyang likuran saka muling ibinalik sa akin. Don't tell me isusumbong niya kami?

"I'll go with you," she finally said after a brief of silence.

What? Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Aos kapag nalaman niyang nagdala ako ng kasama? Kabilin-bilinan pa man din niya hindi dapat malaman ng kahit sino ang aming plano. How can we do it if someone—

"Don't worry," she interrupts my thought, "hindi ako magiging sagabal. I know you hate interventions but I promise, I'll be responsible towards my action."

"Akala ko busy kayo para sa inter-school event? You can't come with us."

She shakes her head. "I wanted to go."

I narrow my eyes in her direction. So I'll be damned either I refuse  or not. Kapag hindi ko siya isasama, baka isumbong niya kami. Kapag isasama ko siya, kay Aos naman ako mananagot. I closed my eyes and sighed heavily. When I open them, I nodded.

"Fine," I whimpered. Her lips formed into a smile. "Just don't tell this to anyone. Do I still need to wait for you?"

"Just give me a minute. Gagamitin ko lang ang contact lenses ko. I hate eyeglasses," she answered and didn't waited for my reply. Nang wala na siya sa paningin ko, I get my phone and texted Aos.

Sette is coming.
                       -Z

*****
"Alam niyo kayong dalawa, mapapahamak kayo ng wala sa oras. Do you see that this area is still under investigation?"

Kanina pa kami sinesermonan ni Sette at kanina pa din ako tinitingnan ng masama ni Aos. Halos kalahating kilometro na ang aming nilakad ngunit hindi pa humuhupa ang inis niya sa akin. Hindi man niya ipakita, halata naman sa kanyang malamig na pakikitungo. Buti na lang at nasa madilim na parte na kami. I won't be able to see his cold stares.  Kasalanan ko bang malakas ang radar ni Sette?

"You're breaking the school rules and regulations. And Aos, a president must lead not the other way around."

Ngayon, naiintindihan ko na ang ibig sabihin ni Anitikos. His co-officers are against him. Ayaw nilang gumawa ng hindi naayon sa batas. Alam ko na rin kung bakit ikinukumpara ako ni Heijie sa kanya. Pareho kaming kayang baluktutin at suwayin ang batas basta makatulong.