Blatant (taglish)

T h r e e

The guys who was standing and following orders from this piano tiles man, un cuffed me first, as if wala silang ka-takot takot na baka tumakas ako, when they went to un cuff Josh, I ran away fast. Seeing the door open and I took its advantage. Every door and windows were locked, I went to check everything na pwede daanan and there was nothing left open besides sa door na pinagtakasan ko kanina, wala ng mga tao here, wala na ang party and the sun is up the sky. Only thing that was left here was the empty cups and the sound system na pinanggalingan ng upbeat music kahapon, as well as the piano and other furnitures, but no signs of other people besides us here.  I gave up at umupo sa sofa, I don't even know where my friends are.. I don't see any point at bakit nandito din ako, wala naman akong kinalaman sa ginawa ni Josh, or whatever business it is they have.

Footsteps followed and they brought Josh with them, dahan dahan nag-offer ng kamay ang lalaking hinahanap ko kagabi after he played a small piano performance, but now I don't even want to see his face even if he completely attracts me with his looks, and maybe that was the point kung bakit I don't want to see a man almost as perfect looking, but messed up to lock a woman like me na walang kinalaman sa mga nangyayari.

"Wanna be free?" He said, asking me the most obvious question in this whole situation. I stood up without taking his hand at sinagi ko ng onti ang balikat nya to face Josh and the guy holding him secured.

"Ooh, feisty" rinig kong sabi nya.

"What is it that you wanted us to play? Does this even involve freedom?" I asked, looking at him.

"Exactly why I was about to introduce the game." Sagot nya while laughing a little, him and who I presume 'Rico' and 'Tonio' exchanged looks.

"Don't tell me it's the cliche 'Russian Roulette" I regretted using sarcasm at him to wish na sana hindi.. but what he answered just made it worse.

"No, well, this game's difference is that, each gun is actually loaded. Tonio, dammi la pistole. (Give me the guns)" I felt shivers run down my spine as he took both the guns and shoot two vases at the same time. I couldn't help but scream. They actually were loaded.

Josh was shivering too, and his face na may pasa from all the beating, was beaded with sweat. He handed Josh the gun, while the other one is offered to me. "Here's yours pretty." He even dared winking. I took it pero hindi ko alam to what point, I wouldn't want to exist if I got blood by my own hands, if I hurt someone or worse.. killed someone. I was looking at Josh, he was panicking just like I am, But he wouldn't look at me.

"Listen carefully both of you. As you know, both guns are loaded, and this is a game of freedom. Whoever shoots first, lives. And yes, shall be granted the freedom. But I'd have to say sorry in advance for the slow handed one. " he smiled, habang naka tingin ng pabalik balik between me and Josh. "I'll have to count though, I have to go somewhere after this." He waved his hand para tumabi ang dalawa.

"This is fucking absurd! Gaano ka ka-fucked up para gawin to as a way to set people free?!" I shouted at him, holding the gun to point sa kanya. But both 'Rio' and 'Tonio' pointed a gun at me..

He motioned his finger in a warning na bawal akong gumawa ng anything stupid, and that I have no choice, he even proved that he's in control of the situation. "I forgot to inform you, my bad. If none of you shoots, Rico and Tonio will oblige." Fuck.

"You sick fuc-" bago ko matapos na ilabas ang galit ko sa kanya, he rolled his eyes as if bored already, and started counting.

"Cinque! (Five)"  mas lalo akong kinabahan at hiningal when I saw Josh pointed the gun.

"Quatro!"  I had no choice, itinutok ko na din ang baril sa kanya but I don't even know if I could do it.

"Tre!" I am now shivering more than before. And to my surprise Josh doesn't look like he's confused.. he's aiming to point the gun at my head..

"Due!" The sound of an empty gun cocking echoed the room, there was no sound of shots that I expected, Josh even tried repeatedly but nothing came out, I started to feel myself cry, my sobs are silenty heard and soon was followed by maniac laughs of the guy that proposed this game. Josh was really going to shoot at me, he didn't look like he hesitated. While ako, I didn't even move a muscle na baka magkamali akong mapatay sya. But he... the guy I once loved... wanted his freedom so much he totally forgot na may pinagsamahan din kami.

"Ahh the guts in you Josh!" Sabi nya after his laughs subsided.

"You just proved how you can betray anyone just for your own sake, for a moment I thought ehh I might think of forgiving you but.. well.. here we are." He said to Josh, he took the gun from him at humingi ng bala kay Rico, he loaded it and pointed at Josh again. Josh closed his eyes at napa luhod na nagmamakaawa habang umiiyak, but the man seemed so sure of his decision.

"non sei altro che un traditore! (You are nothing but a traitor!)" he shouted at kahit hindi ko maintindihan I just cried more dahil sa takot, I couldn't trust anyone here.

"Portalo via! Ora! (Take him away! Now!)" sigaw nya at kinuha ng isa sa kasama nya si Josh papalayo, Josh was crying at nagwawala, as if something more cruel than this was waiting for him sa pupuntahan nila.

He then slowly walked to me, and I have no enough strength, so napaupo ako at patuloy na nagbabalik balik sa utak ko ang walang pagaalinlangan ng ex ko na patayin ako for his own good.

"Shh, I'm sorry you had to witness that, I really am.." Umiiyak parin ako at wala na akong lakas pa para magprotesta sa paghawak nya sa buhok ko.

"Just know that, I gave you the loaded gun because I know how selfish Josh is and you deserve to shoot him, but you didn't.. you had the chance.." he continued, I was listening pero naiiyak parin ako, from all what's going on.

"Get some rest.. you'll be home soon, you didn't deserve to be here anyway." Hindi ko sya sinagot pero that was the only thing close to what I truly need to hear right now. He touched my chin before standing up.

"Tonio, lascia riposare la ragazza da qualche parte a suo agio. (Let the girl rest somewhere comfortable)" umalis na sya and Tonio carried me somewhere I'm to numb and tired to know, I've been in between of crying and panicking from the moment I woke up. And so I didn't care where this guy took me to, but it did felt soft enough to comfort me and made mo doze of to sleep.

And later that night I thought I saw a tall figure na kinumutan ako, and touched my cheeks, before leaving and make me rest more.. But I have a strong feeling na panaginip ko iyon, but a small part of me wished it wasn't and I'm not sure why...