The Crimson Curse

Chapter Nine

"Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."

Chapter Nine: Afraid

     Lyndon insisted I hold onto him habang naglilibot kami. Biro niya pa niya baka may sumabunot sakin bigla.

I didn't take that as a joke though. Meron naman talagang mukhang gusto akong sabunutan.

May napapalingon sa amin because we're wearing our uniform. It's not everyday you see someone from the east wandering around here. Nang may makita kaming linya ng street food vendors nagkatinginan nalang kami at nangiti.

We spent a good amount of time eating things we don't usually eat.

"That was not the dinner I thought of," Lynd nudged my side nang magsimula na kaming mag hanap ng restaurant.

"That was just a primer." Tinusok ko din ang tagiliran niya. "But admit it, ang sarap no?"

Mas masaya pala tumakas kasama si Lynd. Mas masaya kung siya ang nag aya.

Pumasok kami sa isang restaurant na puro home made cuisine. There weren't ushers by the door kaya pumili nalang kami ng vacant table. The menus were ready kaya nag hanap na kami ng pwedeng kainin.

Kinalabit ko agad si Lyndon nang makita ko ang papalapit na waitress.

Marnie Willow did not hide her shock when she saw us. Muntik pa nga niya mabitawan ang hawak niyang notebook.

Huminga siya ng malalim, composing herself before saying. "Good evening Ma'am and Sir. Are you ready to order?"

"We'll take one order of Pesto Pasta and the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza."

I was intently looking at how Marnie's hands were shaking ng sinulat niya ang order namin.

"Anything else, Sir?"

"That's all." Lyndon answered, not even sparing our waitress a look.

Tumango si Marnie at nag madaling umalis. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makapasok siya sa kitchen.

"Taga dito pala siya," I wondered out loud.

Wala namang ekspresyon si Lyndon ng sinagot ako. "Sa family niya 'tong restaurant."

I eyed him, curious and a bit shocked. "And here you are claiming you don't care about people. Paano mo alam 'yan? Tropa mo ba yung PI natin?"

Kilala niya si Scott Masters at alam niya agad sa pamilya nila Marnie itong restaurant. Either it's a common knowledge or he got it from someone. Baka kaya ito ang pinili niya kasi kilala niya ang may ari?

He rolls his eyes, like he always does when he thinks I'm thinking nonsense. "Her Mom used to work at the local hospital before being transfered to NTEA. Dorothy knows her and they used to exchange recipes. That's all I know."

Huh. Small world pala talaga.

Maybe Lyndon knows more than I give him credit for.

Marnie never came out of the kitchen the whole time we were there. Isa lang naman ang ibig sabihin non diba? She's really affected by our presence.

"Don't think about it." Sabi agad ni Lyndon nang lumabas kami.

"Hindi naman."

"You can't lie to me, Tine. Napag usapan na natin 'to diba?"

"Yes, Kuya." Siniko ko nalang siya when he smiled.

You only need them, Celestine. Only them.