IMMUNO (Taglish)

Chapter 13: The Camp

"Pa'no ka napunta dito, Claire?" tanong ko habang ngumunguya ng malamig na kanin at corned beef. "I tried to look for you after nating maghiwalay sa cafe, but I couldn't find you."

Oras na ng dinner at nandito kami sa cafeteria ng maliit na military camp. Dahil malapit na kaming abutan ng dilim sa daan, nagdesisyon kami nina Jerome at Julia na sa camp na lang nina Claire kami maghintay ng umaga.

"Hindi ako dumiretso pabalik ng office." sagot ni Claire. "I felt bad sa mga sinabi ko sa'yo that night. I thought I was being unfair and ignorant, as your bestfriend. So I went to a convenience store to buy strawberry milk kasi alam kong favorite mo yon. I was hoping to give it to you as a 'sorry' gift, kaso nagkagulo na dahil sa virus. I ran and spent days with a group of people sa isang abandonadong hotel. They became my family after the outbreak. Nu'ng dumating ang military, kasama kami sa na-rescue at napunta dito sa camp. Most of the soldiers were deployed and kami ang naiwan sa maliit na camp na 'to. Since the Government Shut-Down, the remaining soldiers na hindi nadeploy ay nagrisk na bumalik sa kani-kanilang pamilya. The handful soldiers who remained here voted and decided to have us take over and manage the survivors and the whole camp."

"I see. I just have a question, though." sabi ko. "Bakit boss ang tawag nila sa'yo?"

Napahinto sina Jerome at Julia sa pagkain dahil interesado rin silang marinig ang nangyari.

"I started to step up and take bigger responsibilities when I saved our Leader's life. I earned his trust, and now here I am." sagot ni Claire. Napangiti rin siya nang mabanggit niya ang Leader nila. 'Yung ngiting may kasamang kislap ng mata. Kilala ko si Claire. I think she likes the man. "I lead the scout team every week, and thank God I was with them noong nakita nila kayo."

"Yeah, buti na lang talaga." sabi ko. "Kung hindi dahil sa'yo, Claire, baka katapusan ko na."

"I would never forgive myself if something bad happens to you because of our crews." sagot ni Claire. "Anyway, what's your story?"

I told her everything, especially the mission.

Nang matapos ko ang pagkukwento, tahimik na dinigest ni Claire ang bawat detalye. Natapos kaming kumain at bago niya kami ihatid sa sleeping quarters, ipinakilala niya muna kami sa Leader nila, si 1st Lieutenant Hernandez.

Malinis ang opisina nito at organized ang mga gamit. Nakaupo ito sa likod ng malawak na table, at may kausap siyang isang lalaki.

Nanlaki ang mga mata naming tatlo nang ma-recognize namin na ang kausap ni Lieutenant Hernandez ay ang lalaking nanghuli sa'min kanina.

"Hi Claire. Renzo and I are starting a plan for a more effective way to segregate and recycle our daily waste." sabi ni Lieutenant Hernandez. Tumingin siya sa lalaki. "Renzo, you can wait outside for now."

"Yes, Lieutenant." sagot nito.

Tumingin si Renzo sa'kin nang ilang segundo, as if he's trying to see through my skin. I felt uncomfortable. Lumabas siya ng opisina without regarding any of our presence.

I decided to shake away the discomfort.

"Good evening, Lieutenant Hernandez." sabi ko.

"Good evening. Jared, right? According to Claire, ikaw ang bestfriend niya bago magstart ang outbreak. You and her go back a long way." sabi ni Lieutenant Hernandez. Tumingin siya kay Claire at ngumiti. Confirmed. Mukhang sila nga. "And that you have an important mission."

Tumayo siya to shake hands with us. Isa s'yang matipunong lalaki. I'm guessing he's in his 40s. Matangkad siya at malaki ang pangangatawan, pero there's a peaceful vibe sa facial expressions at kilos niya. He's wearing blue polo and jeans, pero noticeable ang nakasukbit na baril sa baywang nito.

"Yes, Sir." sagot ko. "Sobrang nagpapasalamat po ako for letting us spend the night in your camp."

"I'm doing this because Claire is a great help in managing this camp and taking care of our people. Moreover, I agree with her that your mission is of utmost importance." dagdag ni Lieutenant. "With that, I'll be assigning two of my armed men to go with you and help you get to DOH as soon as possible. I'll be providing food, a car and other necessities while you're on the road."

"I couldn't thank you enough." sabi ko. "This mission, once fulfilled, will save millions of lives."

"I'm looking forward to that." sabi ni Lieutenant. "You and your friends should get rested." Tumingin si Lieutenant Hernandez kina Jerome at Julia. "I also apologize to all three of you, for what happened earlier on the road. My men, they tend to be strict at times pero maaasahan sila."

Nakatahimik lang sina Jerome at Julia during the entire conversation. Maybe they're tired, especially Jerome. Ang sabi ng nurse sa infirmary hindi naman daw nag-cause ng malalang trauma ang pagkakapukpok ng baril sa batok niya, fortunately. Kailangan niya lang ipahinga at h'wag biglain ang paggalaw ng ulo.

Dumiretso na ang dalawa sa sleeping quarters para mag-ayos ng gagamitin for tomorrow, at magpahinga for the night. Nagpahuli ako dahil gusto ko pang makausap si Claire. Nasa lobby kami sa labas ng kwarto at mahinang nag-usap. Patay na ang mga ilaw at oras na ng pagtulog.

Niyakap ko si Claire. "I missed you so much!" pabulong kong sabi. "Sobrang saya kong nakita kita dito."

"At ganun din ako, Hoodie." sagot ni Claire. "Pero teka lang. Kayo ni Jerome, anong meron? Ikinwento mo lang kung paano kayo nagkasama, pero bakit kayo ang magkasama?"

"Mahabang kwento, Claire." sabi ko. "But he saved my life. Just like you, utang ko rin ang buhay ko sa kanya."

"I don't understand. He outed you sa office, right?"

"Hindi na mahalaga 'yon ngayon. Mabuting tao pala si Jerome, Claire."

"I trust your judgment." hinawakan ni Claire ang pisngi ko. "Iba na ang panahon ngayon, Hoodie. It's very dangerous outside, alam mo 'yan. As much as I want to, hindi ako makakasama sa'yo. Sa inyo. Please take care of yourself, okay?"

"I sure will." sagot ko. "Thanks for everything, Claire."

Niyakap ako ni Claire nang mahigpit. Sadness is lingering between us. We never said it, but somehow we knew it could be another, or worse our last goodbye. After the outbreak, nagkaro'n na kaming dalawa ng magkaibang mundong ginagalawan at magkaibang purpose. Sa ngayon, we can't afford to be with each other dahil may kani-kanya kaming importanteng mission.

"Basta pagkatapos ng misyon mo, bumalik ka dito ha?" sabi ni Claire, with tears falling down her cheeks. "Babalik kang buo pa rin ang katawan, okay?"

"Yes, Claire." sagot ko kasabay ng pagtawa at paghikbi. "Babalik kami dito. At magiging ligtas na lahat ng tao sa camp na 'to dahil pagbalik namin, may cure na kaming dala."

We bid our goodbyes with one last hug. I really missed my bestfriend.

"Excuse me." Sabi ng boses ng isang lalaki sa likod ni Claire. Naghiwalay kami ng yakap nang marinig namin ito. It's that Renzo guy. "Lieutenant Hernandez is looking for you, boss."

"Copy." sabi ni Claire. "Renzo, make sure Jared and his friends get everything they need for tomorrow."

"Yes, boss." sabi ni Renzo. Despite the darkness, I saw his eyes glaring at me. Somehow, I sensed his hate.

Umalis na si Claire. Naiwan ako at si Renzo na sobrang talim pa rin ang pagtitig sa'kin. Madilim at awkward. Wow.

"Uhm, I better get some rest." sabi ko. "You should, too."

"I was about to shoot you earlier." sabi ni Renzo, with eyes full of hate. "Sayang, napigilan ako ni boss. I should've done it faster. You know, I don't think you're immune."

"I'm not asking." sagot ko. Unti-unting umaakyat ang dugo sa ulo ko. "Goodnight." Sabi ko with a sarcastic postitive tone.

"I am stationed here for tonight to make sure everyone is safe from you." sagot niya. "If I found out that you still carry the virus, and that you're still a threat, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na tapusin ang buhay mo."

"If I found out that I still carry the virus, ako mismo ang tatapos sa buhay ko." sagot ko. Ngumiti ako na parang nang-aasar. Hindi naman nagbabago ang hateful niyang pagmumukha.

Pumasok ako sa kwartong nanlalaki ang butas ng ilong sa galit, pero mahinahon ko pa ring isinara ang pinto.

What a day.