Escaped

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5: Heard

11:32 PM. I was lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling. It was a silent night but I couldn't have a silent mind. In a chaotic state of my mind, there's only one thing clear to me... I failed her... I failed myself. We failed to escape.

Mariin akong napapikit bago bumangon at kinuha ang phone kong nakapatong sa ilalim ng unan. I unlocked my phone.

There was no message from her? Halos gabi-gabi akong nakakatanggap ng mga greetings sa kanya matapos naming lumabas---Oo nga pala. We haven't had the chance to escape tonight. Tulog na kaya siya?

I shot her a message. "Hey... You still up?"

I waited for a minute but when I didn't receive a reply, I locked my phone again and put it down on the side table. She must be asleep right now.

I let out a heavy sigh. Bukas ay gagawa ako ng paraan para mailabas siya. I don't want to disappoint myself again. I hate this heavy feeling.

Muli akong humiga sa kama at ilang segundo lang ang lumipas ay nag-vibrate ang phone ko. Mabilis muli akong bumangon at kinuha ito sa maliit na lamesa sa tabi ko.

"Uh, yeah. Can't sleep. How 'bout you? Why still up?" she replied.

Sumandal ako sa headboard bago nagtipa ng isasagot sa kanya. "I'm sorry..." I bit my bottom lip.

"For what?" she replied again.

"For... Disappointing myself?"

"It's okay, Jude. Forgive yourself."

"Is it okay to call you?" I asked her.

Nawala ang batak sa aking labi nang wala na akong natanggap na reply mula sa kanya. Naghintay ako ng ilan pang segundo at nung wala pa rin ay nagtipa na ulit ako ng message. Hindi ko pa 'yon natatapos ay nag-reply na siya.

"Yeah... Sure!"

I took the pillow beside me and hugged it tightly as I cleared my throat, silently practicing my greetings to start the conversation.

It took three ring before she answered my call. The timer started to run together with the ticking hands of the clock on the wall.

"Hey..." Siya ang unang bumungad sa akin.

"Did you take your medicine?" I asked her. Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa sa kabilang linya.

Nice start, Jude.

"Yes, Lilbro. How 'bout you?"

"What about me?" I asked back. "I don't drink medicine, Irene."

Muli akong humiga sa kama nang nakatihaya at nakatingin sa kisame. Nanatiling yakap ko ang unan sa aking dibdib habang naghihintay ng sagot mula sa kanya.

"You okay?" she asked in a low voice. "Ba't napatawag ka?"

Sandali akong natigilan. Bakit nga ba? I just can't sleep and I blame myself for that. But above all those reasons...

"I am missing our conversation every night..." I whispered under my breath.

"Aww..." Mahina siyang tumawa. "Ngayon lang naman tayo hindi nakalabas ah?" Pang-aasar pa niya.

"Where do you want to go tomorrow?" I asked her.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa bintana. Hinawi ko ang kurtinang nagkukubli sa dilim sa labas. The weather was nice and it was a waste for me. Dapat ay nasa labas kami ngayon. But... We were caged in here.

"The moon is breathtaking..." She whispered.

Mabilis na napatingin ako sa buwan na napaliligiran ng mga bituwin. Alam kong nakatitig din siya roon ngayon at pakiramdam ko ay katabi ko siya.