Wages Of Sin

Kabanata 9

Kabanata 9

I don't know if he already knows that I'm here, or just his guessing.

But I don't freaking care. I suddenly want to get out of here as soon as possible. But it also felt like leaving Flint in the air. I don't want to feel guilty after what I did to Robin. My conscience will bother me kahit bumalik pa ako sa gubat at manahimik.

Kasalukuyan akong nakatingin sa pintuan ng silid kung nasaan ngayon si Dr. Valencia at ang magkapares na nanalo kanina. Bantay-sarado ito kaya mahirap makapasok.

I don't have any plan anyway. But something is bothering me. Some whisper, that I should sacrifice myself as a tribute. Sounds scary.

Kanina pa hindi bumabalik sa Flint kung saan siya galing. I wonder what he did on where he is right now.

Speaking of an Almeida, here he is. Papunta siya sa 'kin while wearing his forced smiled. Obviously, he is forcing his smile.

"Sorry kung natagalan ako," he apologized.

"Don't force your smile, please," I said. The smile plastered on his face earlier suddenly faded. "If you feel something, show it fearlessly. Nothing's wrong on being yourself."

"Malungkot ako," diretso niyang saad. "I'm sorry. Talagang iba ang ineexpect kong magiging resulta ng larong ito. If only I knew their scheme, I shouldn't give my best to the first problems and—"

"Are you disappointed?" I asked. Napatingin siya sa 'kin. "Please, don't lie, Brazilian guy."

"A little bit," he said while grinning. "But that doesn't make you less in my sight."

Napakunot ako ng noo. "What do you mean?"

"You're still different from others. I mean, if I choose another girl to join with me tonight, we might not get through the second to the last problem. Thanks to you," he said.

Muli akong nakaramdam ng guilt. I suddenly remembered what I thought the last time. Muli akong napatingin sa pinto ng kwarto kung nasaan sina Dr. Valencia. I saw the pair gets out while smiling widely. Wala ng tao. Maybe, this is my chance to get close?

"Would you please excuse me? I need to go somewhere," I asked. Flint nodded as a sign of permission.

Kaagad akong tumayo sa table kung nasaan ako saka dahan-dahang lumapit sa kwarto na iyon. Maybe Dr. Valencia is still inside. I didn't catch a glimpse of him getting out.

Napalunok ako nang makita kung gaano kabrusko ang tatlong lalakeng nagbabantay sa kaniya. It felt like they're protecting the president of the Philippines.

"Can I see Dr. Valencia?" I asked. One of them shook his head.

"Not without his permission," he said. I took a deep breath.

"Please tell him that Alvara Collins is here," I said. Nakita kong kumunot ang noo ng isa sa kanila saka napatingin sa mga kasama niya. They found me suspicious? "Please. Isang beses lang 'to."

One of them nodded saka pumasok sa kwartong iyon. After a couple of seconds, he gets out of the room and came back at his old position. He shook his head at me.

"He remembers no one with that name," he said. Napahilamos ako ng mukha.

"Tell him I'm Creep," I said. Umiling sila, magkasabay. Uh-oh.

"Abuso na 'yan, miss," saad ng isa sa kanila. "Hindi talaga pwede. Sorry."

"Please, this is the last time I'll ask something from you," I pleaded. "If he still says no, I won't bother you anymore."