The Living Dead (Tragic Story #2)

Chapter 4

Alone

Hindi ko namalayang pagkatapos ng pagsama ko nung biyernes, napasama na rin ako sa mga gimik nila kinabukasan at maging nung Linggo.

They all woke up early morning in saturday para sa lakad na ito. Alas kuwatro pa lang gising na ako pero hindi ko inaasahan na magigising din sila ng maaga.

Wala gaanong tao dito sa mansion nina Moy. Tanging yung lalaking naka uniporme lang kagabi ang nakita ko. Maybe they all went home to their towns. After all, it's the holidays.

Kaya naman, nakialam na ako sa kusina. Naghanap ako ng kape. Pagbukas ko ng cabinet sa taas, nandun lahat at kumpleto. I made myself a coffee and slowly drink it on my own, in the veranda where I can exactly see the view that I and Labina were staring at last night. Madilim pa ang paligid. Pero bakas na ang pagliwanag ng langit at ang araw ay nagbabadya na ring lumabas.

Although we did many things last night, paminsan minsan sumasagi sa isip ko ang mga kwento ni Labina tungkol kay Iara Romulo at Achile Portalezo. Mayrong parte sa akin na naghihinayang. Kung tama nga siya at si Iara ay nandun para kay Achile, anong mangyayari kay Hendard? Bawas chiks, ganun? Winaksi ko ang mga katanungan sa utak.

I am sure it won't affect him since he is a Cassanova.

If I were to ask, I am still not comfortable being involved in the lives of other people. I am alone ever since. Yes I know I said I'll definitely have a new life that's why I tried my best to get along with other people. It's Tonett and this group who I first hang out with. And then I met new people at the bar, made casual friends. I was exposed. Especially those women who were always making my every night miserable.

That's when irritation towards Hendard was developed in me. Only to find out that he is part of their group. I mean I am trying to say what a small world it is, right?

"Gising ka na? Aga natin ah?" napalingon ako sa boses na narinig. It was Moy. Mukha siyang bagong gising. Kinukusot pa ang mata.

"Ah, nakasanayan na eh.." medyo nahihiya kong sagot. He saw me drinking a coffee. "Uhm pasensya na, nangialam na ako para makapag kape," bahagya kong tinaas ang tasa, sa nahihiyang paraan pa rin.

"It's fine, Zari.." he said.

"Gusto mong mag kape? I can.. uhm.. make a coffee for you.. hehe pambayad ng pangingialam ko?"

"Sure, if that would make you feel at ease."

Yun na nga ang ginawa ko. Pinag timpla ko siya ng kape. For a few minutes, we were drinking our coffees together. Walang mapag usapan kaya medyo tahimik kami at walang kibuan. Napagtanto kong sa kanilang lahat, sa kanya ako nakakaramdam ng hiya. I am not comfortable around him. Lalo na ngayong kami lang talaga ang magkasama.

Sumusulyap ako sa kanya pero seryoso siyang nagkakape.

Michael Oreon Herdaez is a very serious man compare to Noel and Riam. He knows what to do and he has this decision-making skill that once he decides, susunud ang iba. Minsan, sa kanya nakasalalay ang dapat gawin ng grupo. His actions are very calculated. Silent all the time. Pino ang galaw. He is the president type of person. Maingat siya sa sasabihin at gagawin.

People who do not know him maybe intimidated by the kind of aura he has. That's it! I am intimidated by his presence kaya madalas hindi ako kumportable sa kanya.

"Ina has mentioned that you're working at Cord's bar.." suddenly he broke the deafening silence.

I nodded as a response. He nodded too as if agreeing with it but at the same time there's something wrong? O mali lang ako ng pakiramdam.