The Nation's Outcry

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Because Of Me
Zanashi

Dahil sa magkahalong nararamdaman, hindi ko nagawang makakilos nang mabilis para magtago. I felt like my mind suddenly drifted away from me. I froze on my spot, clutching the list of casualties against my chest, with trembling knees and with my eyes wide open.

For a moment, I thought Captain Salzano would approach me angrily and drag me out of his office, but what he did next surprised me. Humarap siya sa kausap niya, as if blocking me from that man's view. Though before he turned his back to me, I'm very sure that I saw his fuming eyes when he saw me inside his office.

"I'll be expecting something from you when you return. You and Lieutenant Travis, Captain Salzano. By that time, we might be able to transfer the captives into our military base."

He bypassed Captain Salzano by stepping to the right side but Captain Salzano blocked his body once again. Napakapit ako sa table. I'm having a mental breakdown. I don't know what to do!

Do I need to run? To hide? To disappear? Shit!

"Yes, sir."

Pagpatak ng isang butil ng pawis sa noo ko ay tila natauhan ako. I immediately roamed my eyes to look for a place where I could hide for awhile. Mabilis akong tumungo sa ilalim ng table ni Captain Salzano. Beads of sweat were falling nonstop from my forehead and my breathing became heavy.

"Excuse me, Captain Salzano."

"Sorry, sir."

Along with the sound of their boots colliding with the floor is my intense heartbeat and my endless sweat. Parang tinutusok ang ulo ko habang pinapakinggan ang yapak nilang papalapit na sa table. Habang palapit nang palapit ay pasakit nang pasakit ang ulo ko.

"You need to leave as soon as possible. This night, perhaps?"

"I think it's a good idea, sir. So we could start quickly with our work."

"Yes, yes. That's what I'm thinking. Let's say, you and Lieutenant Travis will be gone for a week, I think we'll just leave your work here to Major Apollo. He can handle it while you're not here."

Halos pigilan ko ang sarili sa paghinga nang makita ang mga paa nilang nasa tapat na ng table. Narinig ko ang marahang paggalaw ng mga papel na nakapatong sa table, tila may hinahanap ang isa sa kanila.

"When you come back, we will have a special meeting with the President. He would want to know what are we planning to do with the captives."

"Copy, sir."

Dahan-dahan kong itinakip ang palad sa bibig. Ang kaisipang halos ilang pulgada na lang ang layo namin, kahit na may kahoy namang nakaharang, ay nagbibigay ng matinding kaba sa akin.

"And well, inform us with every— hmm? Where is it?"

Patuloy pa rin ang pagtunog ng mga papel sa taas ng table.

"Ang alin, sir?"

"The list of casualties."

Oh fuck!

My gaze slowly darted at the paper that I'm holding right now. Bigla ay parang gusto ko itong isumpa! Nanginginig na nang sobra ang kamay kong nakahawak dito.

Hindi ako natatakot na mahuli pero natatakot ako sa parusang ibibigay nila sa akin! Tingin ko'y alam ko na kung saan ako pupulutin pagkatapos nito.

Napatingin ako sa konting siwang sa baba ng table kung saan sa kabila nito'y nakatayo ang dalawang sundalo na tanging naririto ngayon sa office. Dahil sa pagsasalita nila'y napagtanto kong ang nakatayo ngayon sa gilid ko mismo ay si Captain Salzano.