OBSIDIAN ISSUE #1: PUSHED

ONE

If an eight figure amount of particulars has been sent to your bank account, one would certainly expect that I'd buy a condominium from a high rise tower or less, an apartment. But to lie low is not to dwell in luxury.

Galing sa hotel ay hinatid ko pa iyong pera sa isang kakilala. One of my father's compeers, not mine, saka sinauli ang nirentahang sasakyan at nag-taxi pauwi. I never cared about his negotiations. As long as I get the job done and I'm safe, I'd be good and out until I'd receive a call again if another transaction's underway.

Nang bumaba ng taxi ay sinalubong agad ako ng mga tingin na tila kanina pa inaabangan ang aking pagdating. The stares are mostly directed at my clothing. Mangha at interest sa kanilang mga mata, mostly coming from the men drinking their beers, young boys and the young girls.

I've had enough smiling for today. Hindi ko na lang pinansin at tinungo na ang sulok para sa hagdan.

I had no time to look for a place since kagabi lamang ang dating ko sa siyudad. A few minutes walk from a University building is an eating place for college students. Ngunit sa taas ng ilang karenderia at tindahan ay isang affordable na paupahan para sa iilang estudyante na limited lang ang budget.

I took the opportunity as soon as I saw the 'for rent' sign. Ayon sa may-ari, kaka-graduate lang ng dating nangupahan dito. The place isn't that bad. Maliit nga lang pero malinis. Ngunit kung titignan mula sa labas ay parang dinaanan ng sunog sa itim ng pader.

But let's not talk about the negative things. Mas marami ang benefits ng pananatili ko rito kaya ito ang napili kong pagtaguan.

Sa ibaba ay isang tindahan at mga kainan sa paligid. A few walks then there's a bakery. At kung tatawirin ang main road ay naghihintay ang isang mall sa tapat. There are other hanging out places as well that would only take one ride and eight silver coins to reach.

"Kain tayo, Miss ganda!" ang masiglahing landlady sa labas ng tindahan. From last night, I caught that her name is Minda.

With her wide smile, it's as if she's expecting me to greet her back. May hawak na plastic cup na ang laman ay mais. It smells like butter. Sinusuot niya ang rubber tsinelas sa labas ng kanyang tindahan.

Tumango lamang ako saka nagyuko at pumasok na para makaakyat. Minsan, nakakapagod din kasing ngumiti. Dinig ko agad ang bulungan ng mga kasama niya. I bet they're talking how unfriendly I am.

Kailangan maingat ang mga yapak sa hagdan. It is made of wood, decades and several lifetimes kaya sa isang tadyak lang ay bibigay agad. Kaya hindi rin puwede ang magdabog dito.

"I thought you're in vacation? This doesn't seem like a vacation to me."

Nabitawan ko ang susi sa gulat at napasinghap. Luminga ako at hinanap ang pamilyar na boses. I tried to silence my heartbeat but I can't. Sa madilim na sulok ay may kutob ako.

It didn't fail me as soon as he sauntered out from the dark and into the mid -morning light. Namilog ang mga mata ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" nanggigigil kong tanong. Nang natanto ang lakas ng boses ay sinubukan kong kumalma. "Paano mo ako nahanap?"

Tinaliman ko siya ng tingin bago pinulot ang susi. He's not supposed to be here. I left Manila all alone without an intention to be found!

Three bass-sounding and slow steps are meant to go near and terrorize me. Nakalapit na siya habang unti-unti akong tumatayo. He would never interrogate without raising a single brow, na siyang ginagawa na niya ngayon.

"So, you're not really in a vacation, huh? That's what your father expected you to enjoy right now. Not...here." He drawled, nasa bulsa ang mga kamay habang may disgusto na pinasidahan ang paligid bago bumaling muli sa akin.