The Great Escape

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11

New found companion

The strange guy's visits at night became often. He usually hides in my room when a nurse or a doctor catches him drawing characters on patients' faces. At sa tuwing nangyayari 'yon, madalas ko siyang sinasabihan na itigil na ang ginagawa.

Kahit pa kasi gusto ko siyang itulak palabas, hindi ko magawa dahil nanghihina ang mga kamay ko. Kinonsidera ko na lang 'yung at least may kasama ako sa tuwing mag-isa lang ako sa kwarto. Katulad ngayon.

I was video calling with my friends when he entered my room. Note: hindi siya kumatok.

"May Cheetos ka ba?" He asked as soon as he entered the room.

"Si Ephraim ba 'yon?!" Mariette shrieked. "Oh my gosh, Sera! Bakit kayo magkasama?!"

Her reaction freaked out Psalm more. The latter glared at me, his lips pursed and his expression was getting darker. Ito na naman po tayo sa pagiging paranoid ng mga kaibigan ko.

Nilingon ko si Ephraim at itinuro ang direksyon ng cabinet. "Check mo kung may makikita ka."

Binalik ko ang tingin sa hawak na phone. Magulo ang video ni Mariette. She's probably rolling over her bed or something. Si Psalm naman ay steady lang, kaso ang sama-sama talaga ng tingin.

"It's not what you think it is—"

"Anong hindi?! Hello? You and Ephraim in a room? Alone? Anong iisipin namin?" Si Mariette ulit.

Psalm wasn't talking at all. Nakatitig lang siya nang masama sa akin. Kung minsan ay lumilipat kay Ephraim na naghahalungkat ng chichirya sa cabinet.

Nang walang mahanap na Jalapeño flavored Cheetos, he gave up and just settled on a bag of Dorritos. Umupo siya sa couch at kinawayan pa ang dalawang kaibigan na kausap ko.

"Wow for the audacity," I heard Psalm murmured. "I clearly warned him. Sasapakin ko talaga 'yan kapag nagkita kami ulit."

Tumawa si Mariette nang malakas dahil sa sinabi ni Psalm. Hindi ko naman alam kung matatakot ba ako sa banta niya o makikitawa na lang din. He looked serious but I don't think he's the type of guy who punches anyone whenever he wants to.

Yes, Psalm is a bit short-tempered but all in all, he's a great guy. Hindi naman siya basta-bastang sasabog sa galit lalo na kung sa maliit na bagay lang naman.

"Kailan ba kayo bibisita? Matagal pa ang balik ni Mommy from Singapore. I am really bored. I want to sneak out—"

"Elisha Seraiah Leal Francisco!" Psalm's authoritive voice thundered. "What the hell did you just say?"

I bit my lip. Woah, good job, Seraiah. You just gave Psalm another reason to be completely annoyed.

"Alin doon, Lolo Psalm? 'Yung nasa Singapore si Tita o 'yung balak niyang pagtakas—"

"Isa ka pa, Mariette. Stop this nonsense."

I heard Ephraim's mocking laugh behind me. At nakikinig pala ang lalaking 'to sa pinag-uusapan naming tatlo. Tss.

"Sorry, my dear cousin. Hindi ako makabibisita riyan. My schedule for this month is full. But I'll try to make time for you. Promise! Okay?" Tumango ako.

"Psalm?"

"I'm abroad. Dinala ako ni Papa rito para maipakilala sa mga foreign business associates namin. But I promise, I'll be there on Christmas Eve. So don't worry."

I released a long defeated sigh. Mukhang kailangan ko pang maghintay ng ilang araw bago sila makita ah? Since Mom and Psalm was abroad, and Mariette is busy until the end of the month.