Before Anything Else (Absinthe Series 2)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

Before Anything Else

Tinawanan ko si Exodus nang mahulog siya sa pumpboat na aming sinasakyan. The water splashed as he resurfaced and reached out his hand for the edge. Pinagmasdan ko lamang ang kaniyang ginagawa bago ko ibinalik ang tingin sa dagat.

We've been called to rescue a sick girl from an island nearby. Ilang araw na kasi itong inaapoy ng lagnat at nasusuka kaya naalarma ang kaniyang mga magulang. The ride was about twenty minutes from the Puerto and we were just half way there.

Tinulungan ng mga kasamahan namin si Exodus na makaakyat ulit bago pinaandar ang pumpboat. Water was dripping from his face down to his damp clothes. Umingos siya nang mapatingin sa akin bago kumuha ng maliit na towel para ipunas sa mukha.

" I told you to behave. 'Yan tuloy…" I smirked at him. Sinamaan lamang niya ako ng tingin at inabala na agad ang sarili sa pagpupunas.

We arrived at the island. Itinungo kami ng ama ng bata sa kanilang bahay. From the door, we saw the child on her damp upper clothes and her face a bit pale. Rumispunde naman agad ang mga kasamahan namin at isinakay na ang bata kasama ang kaniyang ama.

I don't know how the ride back went faster than the usual. Nakita ko na lamang ang sarili ko na nasa harap ng ospital at pinagmamasdan ang bata habang itinutulak ang stretcher papasok sa ospital.

"Zepporah, let's go." untag ni Exodus sa tabi ko. Lumingon ako at nakitang nakasuot na siya ng bagong damit. He wore shorts and slippers, too. Siguro'y inabutan siya kanina ng bagong damit.

" Gutom ka na ba?" he asked. Tumango ako at hinayaan siyang hawakan ang aking kamay. We walked into a nearby diner. As usual mas marami ang nakita kong seafoods kaysa red meat.

" Adi told me you met your cousin. I didn't know you had one." panimula niya nang dumating ang aming pagkain. I grabbed the utensils and started mixing the rice.

" Hindi ko nga rin alam. She said she was my cousin from my real father." sabi ko. Tumango si Exodus ngunit hindi na nagtanong pa. He gave his side comments about the food instead.

Since wala kaming sasakyan, Exodus and I had to commute. Nag-away pa kaming dalawa sa pamasahe but he couldn't argue since his bills were all wet. Saan naman aabot ang sampung pisong naiwan sa wallet niya? Sa huli ako ang nagbayad sa aming dalawa. We parted ways near the Pueblo kasi sa Costa ako patungo.

Adina was at home arranging our things in the living room. May iilang boxes na nandoon at may lamang mga gamit na hindi namin masyadong nagamit. She said she could donate it. Isasabay niya na lang sa magiging outreach ng Mayor sa kalapit na bayan.

" Wala na palang nakatira diyan sa kabilang apartment. Sabi ni Aling Lotie sa akin ay may bumiling bago ngayong araw." Adina told me over dinner. Ang tinutukoy niya ay yung apartment na gusto sana naming dalawa ang kaso nga lang ay mayroon ng nakatira doon. It was empty but now someone has bought it.

Wala na rin naman akong balak na bumili. I guess I was contented with what I have. Hindi ko rin naman maiiwan si Adina na mag-isa.

"Sayang nga. Diba you're planning to buy it?" aniya pa.

I smiled softly. " Hindi na. I guess if it's meant for me, talagang bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon na mabili ko iyon. At saka, napag-isipan ko na rin na hindi kita kayang iwan dito."

She got teary-eyed though. I chuckled at her reaction. Tumingala muna siya bago napahagikgik ng tawa.

" I'm fluttered, Zeppy. But you know I 'll be in Manila next month right?"