Scourged

Chapter 1 | L I E

L I E

AS I SAT there in front of the vanity mirror, staring back at those troubled eyes, I can't help but ask myself why the hell did I agree to this when I knew it wasn't a good idea to begin with.

I must've gone mad. That's the only explanation I could come up with.

Sino ba namang matinong tao ang papayag sa ganito?

Being the band's stylist sure pays a lot better than doing three jobs a week. It's even enough to cover five months of my bills and other expenses. But can I do it? Work with Rozach and everybody else?

I sighed because the answer was staring at me with stark clarity. It's impossible. At least waiting tables was a lot more comfortable, because I can be far away from them. And that brings me back to my question again. What am I doing here?

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko pa sinusubukang mag-isip, when I'm already here. Napailing na lang ako habang iniikot ko ang paningin sa buong kuwarto kung saan ako pinatuloy ni Erika kagabi. She had to sneak me inside when I got here last night. I know it's because she wanted to be careful. Ayaw niyang may makakita sa akin bago niya masabi sa buong bandang nandito ako.

It's the most luxurious hotel here in town, at sa tinagal kong nakatira dito, I know well how private and expensive this place is. And they're staying here for a month—lahat ng kasama sa band tour.

Back in the days, Erika couldn't even afford an average hotel. Madalas, sa loob na ng sasakyan kami natutulog kapag may gig ang banda. But those were precious moments. We were happy despite the struggle we were trying to overcome.

Seeing the small tug on my lips pulled me to reality, instantly wiping that smile off of my face.

I suddenly remembered how brave I was last night to call my boss and tell him I quit and showed up here with a suitcase in tow, thinking I've made a sound decision. I wonder where did that courage go? 'Cause damn, I need it now. Mayroon na lang akong tatlong oras bago ako tuluyang magpakita sa kanila.

Hindi ko alam kung napag-isipan ko nga ba talaga ito. Should I just leave?

The shrill sound of the hotel phone ringing almost made my heart leap out of its cage. It seemed silly but I still clutched my chest as though to keep it inside as I reached for the phone to answer it, half afraid of who it could be calling. Wala pa naman sigurong nakakaalam na nandito ako, 'di ba?

"Morning!" magaang bati ni Erika sa kabilang linya. "Thank God, you're still here." The evident relief in her voice mirrored mine. "I really had a bad dream last night. Napanaginipan kita. You bailed on me and left this morning."

I chew the inside of my jaw while I eyed my unpack suitcase lying on the floor. Kung alam lang niya ang iniisip ko kanina.

"It's silly, I know," she said. "Anyway, kung ready ka na, come down and join me for breakfast, okay?"

"Dito?" Warning bells rang inside my head.

"Don't worry. Mamaya pa kakain ang mga alaga ko. They're probably still sleeping right now. Kaya bumaba ka na bago pa sila magutom."

I breathed a heavy sigh, remembering that small detail about them. They're not the most time-conscious people I know. But I still have to be careful, just in case.

I wonder how long this hide and seek will last, though.

"I'll wait for you in the lobby," sabi niya bago siya nawala sa linya.

I eyed my wristwatch as I replaced the phone on its cradle. Alas-ocho na pala. Isa at kalahating oras na akong nakapagbihis at nakaupo rito sa kuwarto, nakatitig lang. I almost forgot about breakfast.