Escaped

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3: Comfortable

I was staring out of the windows of her room where I could see her silhouette moving. Lights were still on and so I think she's not yet done. I pulled my black jacket for a better grip on my body. The night breeze was lingering on my face.

I let a heavy sigh before I leaned my back on the wall beside our gate. We are going to do our first escape tonight.

I slid my hand inside my pocket and got my phone out. I immediately went in the message and shot her a message.

"Yes, I am ready. Give me a second," she replied after a few seconds.

Tumingin ako sa bintana ng kwarto nila mommy sa ibaba. Patay na ang mga ilaw kaya malamang na tulog na rin sila. It's almost 12 midnight. Sinigurado ko munang tulog sila para sa planong ito.

Mayamaya rin ay namatay na ang ilaw mula sa kwarto ni Irene at ilang minuto lang ang lumipas ay ang front door na ang bumukas. She was wearing a purple jacket.

Umayos ako ng tayo nang lumapit siya sa akin. Mabilis na napatingin siya sa bisikletang nasa tabi ko.

"Gagamitin natin 'yan?" manghang tanong niya.

Inalis ko ang tingin ko sa kanya para ayusin ang bisikleta.

"You afraid?" I asked without looking at her.

Pinunasan ko ang upuan no'n dahil medyo maalikabok na rin. Matagal-tagal na rin nung huli ko itong inilabas ng garahe namin.

"Kind of. But you are the driver so I think there's nothing to be afraid of." That made me turned my look to her.

Tinaasan ko siya ng dalawang kilay ngunit hindi natinag ang ngiti sa kanyang labi na parang kahit na anong sabihin ko ay mananatili ang gano'n sa mukha niya.

"Do not trust that quick, Irene."

That's fucking scary! I am a scary person and I don't think I deserve that.

"But you are worthy..." she whispered.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako bago siya sinenyasan na sumakay na sa likuran ko. Inayos ko ang mga binti ko nang maramdaman na ang pwersa niya sa likod ng bisikleta.

Naghintay pa ako ng ilang segundo at nung wala pa rin akong maramdaman na yakap mula sa kanya ay binalingan ko siya ng tingin.

Ang kamay niya ay nakahawak sa gilid na bakal na kanyang inuupuan. That's not enough to protect her from falling down.

"I am better than that metal, Irene. Sa akin ka humawak..." I glared at her.

She nodded her head. Mahinhin na yumakap siya sa aking bewang. Napailing na lang ako bago inumpisahang galawin ang pedal ng bisikleta.

The street was empty and the only sound that we could hear was coming from the force I was exerting to the pedals of the bicycle to keep us moving forward.

"It seems like the world is sleeping..." She muttered, amazed.

Hindi ko pa rin maiwasang hindi isipin ang mga sinabi niya kanina. She is too vulnerable to trust quickly... And I am afraid that I might be the first reason of her breakdown.

"Thanks for this, Jude."

I wonder how many 'thanks' would I hear from her tonight?

I took a glimpse of her. She was looking up, smiling at the scattered stars around the dark sky.

Mas lalong lumakas ang ihip ng hangin kaya napansin ko na gumagalaw ang buhok niya.

"Wear your hood, please..."