I Won't Last A Day Without You

Chapter Three

Biglang natakot si Fredrick at tumakbo papalabas ng quarters ni Mang Karding. He almost runs out of breath from what he saw. He couldn't believe his eyes, neither the figure sitting on the bed. He put his hand on his heart to see if he is alive. He felt his own heartbeat. He thought to himself... "What a relief."

He closes his eyes so that he gathers his thoughts together, but when he opens it... Mang Karding's face was looking at him. He couldn't bear to look at him. The sight of him is just enough to make your skin crawl.

He tried to close his eyes and when he opens it again... Mang Karding face looks more scarier than the first time he glances at it.

"Mang Karding, please don't do this to me. I beg you." Plead Fredrick.

And then as if a cold freezing air blows on his face and whispers... "I beg you..."

"SH**!" It frighten the hell out of him.

Dali-daling tumakbo si Fredrick sa loob ng kusina. Hiningal-hingal siya habang nakasandal sa likod ng pintuan. He pinches himself to see if he is only dreaming, but instead of feeling his own fingers... Another set of fingers touches his arm.

"MANANG GLORIA!" 

Dali-daling sumipot si manang Gloria kay Fredrick.

"ANO? Anong nangyayari?"  Manang Gloria was surprised to see him home, when he should be at his work. "Anong ginagawa nyo po dito sir?"

"Ahem!" He clears his throat and starts to fix his composure. Pilit na kinakalimutan ang mukha ni mang Karding.

"Okay lang po ba kayo sir?"

"Why?"

"Kase parang nakakita kayo ng Multo."

"Multo? Asan?"

Tumaas ang kilay ni manang Gloria..."Naprapraning na ba itong amo ko?" Tanong nito sa kanyang sarili.

"By the way, Kilala ninyo po ba ito?" Ipinakita ni Fredrick ang picture na natuklasan niya sa quarter ni mang Karding.

"Hindi po sir." Sabay titig sa picture. "Pero..."

"Pero ano?" 

"Kamukha ni mang Karding ang batang ito."

"Read the back."

Binasa ni Manang Gloria ang nakasulat sa likod ng picture at nanlaki ang mga mata nito.

"May itinatago palang sekreto si mang Karding."

"Huwag kang maingay baka may makarinig sainyo."

"Sino naman?" Pabirong sabi ni Manang Gloria. "O, iyan isisigaw ko pa. MANG KAR----"

Biglang tinakpan ni Fredrick ang bunganga ni manang Gloria. Natatakot siya na baka makita niya ulit ang figure ni mang Karding. Tumalon sa takot si Fredrick ng marinig niya ang ring ng kanyang cellphone. Tumingin lang sa kanya si manang Gloria.

"Sir, yan ang napapala ninyo kapag sobra kayong uminom ng coffee." Pabirong sabi ni manang Gloria.

"Hello."

"Hi sir, the priest says he would be honored to do the service for you today. Should I give him the cemetery address?"

"Sure. Tell him that . I will be on my way then. I'm going to give the funeral home a call now."

Pagkatapos niyang makipag-usap sa funeral home ay dumeretso siya sa cemetery. Doon habang nag-iintay ay nag-iisip si Fredrick. "May anak si mang Karding at hindi man lang niya sinabi sa'kin? Anong gagawin ko?"