Pyromania

21st Chapter: Verdict

21st Chapter

Mercedes Ian Irving

It was quiet. For a long time it was. Pero nang magkamalay ako, samu't saring ingay ang narinig ko. And a gurgling sound was one of it like someone's choking. I tried to move but a sharp pain on my arm and legs stopped me.

Gumulong ako para tumihaya and as I was about to breathe may dumamba na sakin at hinawakan ako sa leeg. Squeezing the life out of me. I opened my eyes and saw him.

Seryoso ang mukha ni Saab at halos walang emosyon maliban na lang sa mga luhang tumutulo sa mga mata niya. I kicked in protest. Desperate to breathe.

"I'm so sorry. But I can't let you live...for us." his voice broke and more tears flowed  from his eyes, unti-unti ay naubos ang lakas ko. Then he loose his grip.

"Damn you! Damn you!" he shouted in pain, napaubo ako, hindi parin makakilos. Hinila niya ko at niyakap. He cried on my shoulder as I struggle to breathe.

"I won't take you, Svasr. Hindi ko gagawin sayo ang ginawa niya." he whispered softly, lumayo siya at malungkot na ngumiti sakin.

"I'll let you go. Get away from here. Hindi ka na pwedeng tumira sa pamilya mo, Zed. Go to a place where we can't find you. You have to leave everything."

Bumaling ako sa kanan ko para makalayo sa kanya. I almost crawled to get away. Everything hurts but I managed to get away. Naiyak ako sa sakit, humagugol ako sa hirap at nang makalabas ako ng TCU.

All I think about is Everest. Umiyak ako dahil hindi ko alam kung paano siya pupuntahan. My legs hurts and I don't have anything with me. Walang phone. Walang kahit ano.

I have no choice but to walk. Pero hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya. He might be home or sa condo, I don't know which. Nag-iisip pa ko kung saan ako pupunta nang may humintong sasakyan sa harap ko.

It was Froi.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa nakitang pag-asa. Lumapit ako agad at natatarantang humawak kay Froilan.

"I need a phone. Si Everest..." walang imik na inabot ni Froi ang phone sakin. I dialed Everest's number, mabilis ang pagtitipa ko at panay ang lingon ko sa likod. Sa takot na abutan ako ni Saab.

"Hello?" his voice made me relax a bit.

"Ev! S-si Zed ito!" Pumiyok ang boses ko at nagbara ang lalamunan ko sa nagbabadyang pag-iyak. My voice sounds thick from it.

"Mercedes? Akala ko nasa ball ka. Tapos na ba kayo?" I can imagine him frowning,

"No. Something came up. C-can you pick me up? Nasa TCU ako. I-I have to get away, Everest." tuluyan na kong naiyak.

"Mercedes? Are you okay? Ano ba ang nangyayare?" He's panicking now,

"H-hindi ko masabi sayo but please. Pick me up Everest. I have to get away! Now!" atat na atat kong sigaw,

"What do you mean get away? Zed? Naririnig mo ba ang sinasabi mo?" He sounded frustrated and it breaks my heart, napahagulgol ako.

They're right. Rax is right. But I want to hear it from him. Gusto kong marinig sa kanya. Para maniwala ako ng husto.

"Get away, Everest." I said softly, "I'm asking you to elope with me." I feel helpless, unti-unti ay napasalampak ako sa sahig. Hindi na nagsalita si Everest matapos kong sabihin iyon.

I ended the call. I couldn't take it anymore dahil kung may sasabihin pa siya na hindi ko gusto ay baka ikamatay ko.

Binuhat ako ni Froilan at sinakay sa sasakyan na dala niya. I don't care where he's taking me as long as he doesn't take me home. I have no right to go back. I killed someone. Pumatay ako. Paano matatanggap ni Tatay yun?