"No, hindi ako ang may sakit." Dinig ko sa isang pamilyar na boses ng lalaki. I opened my eyes, and it was the same guy who brought me here. May kausap siya sa telepono habang nagmamaneho. We're in the car right now. I don't know where we heading. Wala na akong alam sa mga nangyayari. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung papaano ako napunta sa sasakyan na 'to.
He continued talking to the phone while facing the road.
"You know my place. I'll wait for you there. Kailangan ko ng tulong mo ngayon, Liz. And again, please 'wag kang magsasama ng ibang tao. Ikaw lang. I trust you, Liz. Don't break that." He said, then, he put down the phone. Pagbaba niya ng phone niya ay napatingin siya sa akin.
I didn't talk or fight this time. I was so weak. I don't really have the energy to do anything at all.
Nanlalambot ako, nanginginig kahit na may suot na akong makapal na jacket. I don't know where did I get this, but I know that the jacket is his because of its size and fragrance. How could he be so cruel and kind at the same time?
I closed my eyes before he could even look away. I felt the tears falling down as I closed my eyes. I'm so tired. And hopeless.
If this is my end, so be it.
Nagising ako nang makarinig ako ng boses ng babae at lalaki na nag-aaway.
"My god. Are you out of your mind? Alam mo ba pinasok mo, ha?"
"I know, Liz. I know. Can you just please shut up for a second?"
Dahan-dahan kong minulat ang mga mata ko. It was a blur at first. Pero unti-unti ay nakita ko ang isang babae at ang lalaking kasama ko sa mga nakalipas na araw. Nasa labas sila ng kwarto kung saan ako nakahiga na, at nakikita ko sila dahil sa nakabukas na pinto. Wala na ako sa kotse o sa bahay na pilit kong tinatakasan sa mga nakalipas na araw, nasa ibang bahay na ako.
It has a wooden floor and walls, and old fashioned furnitures. It's an antique house.
"How can I shut up, Agui?" The woman said. Napalingon ulit ako sa kanilang nag-uusap. "You kidnapped someone. And she's a fucking minor-"
"No, she's not. She turned 18 this year."
"You're crazy." Sabi ng babae. I think she's a doctor. She has stethoscope around her neck.
She's looks stressed. Frustrated, even. Or confused.
Palakad-lakad siya, pabalik-balik. She's clearly having anxiety right now. Tila hindi mapakali sa kanyang natuklasan.
"I can't believe you did something like this." She said to him.
"I have my reasons." He calmly answered. As if she's not freaking out right now, he looks so calm.
"Fuck your reasons! Alam mo ba na pinaghahanap na siya ngayon? Hindi nila alam kung buhay pa ba siya o hindi. Her family is waiting for a kidnapper to ask for any ransom, but there isn't. Makukulong ka. You heard me? Makukulong ka, Agui. Mabubulok ka sa kulungan."
"I don't fucking care, Liz." This time, he sounded a little angry. "Just help me. Ngayon lang ako hihingi ng pabor sa'yo. Please." He took a deep breath, as if the next thing he'd say would be hard for his ego. "I'm begging you." He said.
Silence.
They just looked at each other. After few seconds, she took a deep breath and looked at me as if she knew I was staring.
She looks so elegant... and smart. She looks like someone who will never commit a crime like this.
These...people are not criminals...
