The Black Matter

Pahina 4: Alamat ng Itim na Ermitanyo

The sky looks gloomy. What a sad sky. Does heavens felt my frustrations too? It's been days since I had that encounter sa pamilihan. Ilang araw na rin akong hindi mapakali sa sobrang dami ng tumatakbong bagay sa isipan ko.

"Sino yung mga batang iyon?"

"Who's that prisoner? Nabitay na ba siya?"

"Sino ang lalaking nagligtas sa akin? Why do I have this strange feeling when our skin touched?"

I'm really frustrated. Tuwing naiisip iyon, palagi nalang akong napapasabunot sa buhok ko. I am punishing myself for failing to comprehend every thought that burdens me. I can't even start a discussion with my father tungkol sa bamboo products na nais kong simulan. Lagi akong tulala at hindi makapagfocus sa lahat ng ginagawa ko. Even inside the classroom. Lagi akong napapahiya coz I am spacing out nalang bigla nang hindi ko nalalaman.

I was on my way again pabalik sa aming classroom. I just grab my lunch sa lawang malapit sa school namin. I don't like eating with my classmates sa cafeteria. Trip ko rin naman sana doon sa flower garden sa likod ng principal's office kaso baka makasalubong ko nanaman iyong apat na feeling pogi. Ayaw ko rin sa crowded na lugar dahil alam kong aasarin lamang nila ang laman ng baonan ko.

I am hurriedly making my pace sa nais kong pwestohan sana na lawa when suddenly, I saw a room na may nakauwang na pinto. It's the abandoned library. It was one of the forbidden places inside the campus. My nosy side creeps on me again. It's really intriguing naman talaga why this forbidden building was suddenly opened.

This building looks spacious than the usual building inside the campus but because of a pandemic outbreak 15 years ago, it was marked forbidden and abandoned. It was said that a dust came from an antique book na binuksan ng isang estudyante killed hundreds of student, professors and soldiers. The dust from the opened book that was inhaled by krozans inside the library became an airborne illness that caused a pandemic outbreak sa buong Kroza. Since it was recognized as airborne disease, those soldiers who tried to rescue and get rid of dead bodies was ordered to kill themselves after fulfilling their mission. It was one of the tragic years for Krozans.

For the past 12 years, may bantay ang building na iyon to avoid trespassers and curious cats. Some told that the pandemic was a man made chaos because the said library holds an important books that the leaders won't spill. But the guards was pulled out three years ago. It was an order na pinabisa mismo ng kasalukuyang alkalde. But still, it was remain marked as forbidden place.

I sneak like a curious cat sa maliit na siwang ng building. I even cover my nose to prevent myself from inhaling anything deadly. Anong malay natin, nandito pa pala ang airborne disease. Inside the old library, I saw a pair of silhouette na magkaharap sa isa't-isa. They seem to be discussing an important matter dahil talagang sa pinagbabawal nalugar pa nila napiling mag-usap. I did my best not to overthink sa mga nakikita ko. Dahil the last time I was excessively curious, I grew big a dark circles around my eyes.

"No, I can't associate myself with another trouble." I whispered as I doubled my speed para umalis sa lugar na iyon.

I'm whispering curses while pulling myself not to mind other's business when I unintentionally bump into someone. I saw another broad silhouette. A familiar silhouette. I look up to recognize whoever I owe an apology but the scorching sun hurts my eyes. Tanghaling-tapat pa nga pala. Instead of being nosy, I just bowed.

"Patawad." I sincerely apologize.

He just pass on me not minding my apology. I sigh in relief dahil akala ko, pagsusungitan niya ako. He might be another ordinary citizen here. Dahil kung mayaman siya, baka nasaktan niya na ako. I thought he never minded me at all but—