Cahira (On-Going)

3: False Dilemma

Sabi nila kapag wala na ang isang bagay sayo, doon mo malalaman ang tunay na halaga nito.

For me, that's bullshit. Totally foolish.

Regret will always come last. That's how people act anyway. They do something and repent. Even though they know that it will cause them harm, they will still do it because they can ask for forgiveness anytime and pretend that nothing happened.

I lost my previous life because of the accident. I don't repent. I don't have any regrets. But that doesn't mean that I accept this consequence and I'll tolerate their manipulations. I will make this event turn in my favor.

Kahit wala na ang dati kong buhay, I can recreate it again. I can make anything bend on my will. Everything happened for a purpose. And I have a purpose for anything.

"Para."

Nakisabay na ako sa mga taong bumaba. Someone even stepped on my shoe but this is not the time to free the lion. I have to investigate and know the culture of this place so it will be easier for me to roam.

I can now see malls and roads. May mga puno pa rin naman. Nakakapanibago. Manila doesn't look like this.

I stopped on a fastfood restaurant to fill my stomach and stared at my phone. Wala pa rin silang reply.

I tried approaching Nathan, Phoebe, and Dwight through Facebook but they give me no response. Di na ako magtataka kung bakit hindi nagre-reply si Nathan but Phoebe and Dwight? Sinabihan ba sila nina dad at mom na iwasan ako? They really want to isolate me, huh?

If I really have the money to go back to Manila, I will book a ticket immediately. Habang wala pa akong pera, pagtiisan ko muna ang lugar na 'to.

Agad kong binaba ang burger na kinakain ko nang tumunog ang cellphone. Finally, someone responded!

I frowned when I saw the name. Bakit siya pa?

"What now, Nathan?" I replied in a bored tone. Mas matutuwa pa ako kung pabor siya sa akin, eh. Unfortunately, this guy is such a goody two-shoes.

"Bakit ka ganyan? Nagtatanong ka ng balita dito, di ba," yeah yeah whatever.

"I was expecting Phoebe or Dwight. Not you," I scoffed that he only responded with a laugh.

"Wag ka nang umasa na re-reply-an ka nila. They were monitored," wow. Pakiramdam ko tuloy criminal akong na-banish.

"Don't tell me I'm also monitored here," tumingin ako sa paligid. I clicked my tongue. Nakaka-paranoid tuloy. Everybody started to look suspicious.

"Hindi naman. Don't worry, you're free," buti na lang.

"So how's your new home?" pagpapalit niya sa topic. Nangamusta pa. Did he miss me already?

"That's out of your business," huli kong sinabi at tinapos na ang tawag. I won't be talking to him anymore.

I slapped my forehead at the realization. Ugh! Dapat inutusan ko si Nathan na tanungin si Dwight kung sino 'yung Castiel na 'yun. Maybe Dwight invited that bastard.

I finished the last bite of my burger. Nah. Mamaya isipin ni Nathan na kailangan ko tulong niya. I don't need anyone's help. That Castiel guy must be a figment of my hallucinations. I should sleep more.

I was about to leave the restaurant but someone bumped into me. If I'm still in my hometown, that man would be a dead meat. Pasalamat siya baguhan pa lang ako.

I ignored the guy and continue walking. Nangangati kamay ko! I want to punch him! My pride can't ignore that jerk pero kailangan magtimpi.

Naglakad-lakad lang ako. This city is wide and trees are everywhere. If I were a normal tourist, I will really be enjoying my vacation. Unfortunately, this is not a vacation trip. I'm banished!