Cahira (On-Going)

2: Banished through a Smoke

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in an unfamiliar room. What? Nasaan ako?

May TV sa tapat ng kama at lamesa. May L-shape kitchen pa sa gilid at pinto na mukhang papuntang CR; studio type ganun. Nakita ko ang mga maleta sa sahig. Napalingon ako sa bintana. Mukhang hapon na.

Naalala ko 'yung nangyari kanina. Those kidnappers! They locked me inside! Pero bakit may mga maleta rito?

Pansin kong may cellphone, papel at envelope na nakapatong sa lamesa. I picked the paper and read. Muntik ko nang mapunit ang papel dahil sa inis.

Sorry for the force, dear. Hope you'll enjoy your new life.
- Mom & Dad

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" I crumpled the paper and threw it. So the whole kidnap thing were there plan. I underestimated them! Agad kong binuksan ang bintana at dumungaw; hoping to see the familiar buildings of Cubao.

Trees. Trees. Trees! Fucking trees! Nasaan ako?!

Agad akong lumabas at doon ko napagtanto na nasa condo pala ako. Nice! They're just making my life miserable!

Napabalik na lang ako sa loob at pinagsusuntok ang pader. Why does it have to be like this?! Why are they controlling me?!

Napasigaw ako at napaupo na lang sa sahig nang bigla ulit kumirot ang ulo ko. Hindi pa talaga ako nakaka-recover sa concussion na 'yan.

I stared blankly at the four corners of this room. No support. No family. No friends. It's just me; all alone.

Matagal ko na 'tong pinangarap, ang mamuhay mag-isa. A place where no one will order me around. But why am I sad? This is what I dreamt of!

I shook my head gently. No! I'm not longing for their company! Never! I can live alone. I'll prove them na kaya ko na mag-isa. I'm not a minor anymore!

I stand and started to fix my things. I'm sure mabilis lang din ako makaka-adjust dito. This is my first time here but I'm sure that I can rule this place just like my hometown. I'll build my name and mark fear in every people.

Napatigil ako sa pag-aayos nang sumakit tiyan ko. Right, mula pa nung umaga di ako kumain. I need food before touring myself. But I have one problem.

How to fucking cook?

"Sana naman may pagkain sa ref," I'm hungry as fuck! Alam naman siguro ni mom na hindi ako marunong magluto.

I opened the ref at sinuntok ito. Useless refrigerator! Walang laman! Kinalkal ko na ang buong kusina pero utensils lang nakikita ko. Kahit canned goods wala! Ugh! Bakit ganito?! Hindi man lang nagbigay kahit sardinas!

Tumalon ako sa kama kung saan ko tinambak lahat ng laman ng maleta. Yes, this is how I fix my things. Anyway, may naipon ako and hopefully dinagdag nila 'yun sa bagahe but I can't see my wallet.

"Where's that stupid wallet?!" hindi ko makita kahit saan! Hindi nila dinagdag?! What the fuuuuuck!

"TANGINA NAMAN!" I shouted in frustration. Unang araw ko pa lang dito tapos ganito na! Di ko na kayang mag-stay pa rito!

Binalikan ko ang lamesa at kinuha ang cellphone. Wait, this is not my phone.

Kinalkal ko ang cellphone and confirmed! This is really not mine! My contacts! They really want me to start again! Ugh!

Pinulot ko rin ang envelope at binuksan. I smirked as I saw what's inside. Akala ko papabayaan talaga ako rito na walang ka-pera-pera. However, the amount will only last for a day! Hindi pa inabot ang pamasahe ng bus!

I feel my stomach rumbling again. Okay, I need to eat first. Let's roam.

I grabbed my sweatshirt and put on my shorts. Binulsa ko na lahat ng pera at lumabas na sa condominium. I feel kinda irritated while waiting for the elevator. Nasa pinaka-taas ang unit ko! Nananadya talaga sila!