Cupid's Outlaw

Chapter 12: Truth

Pagdating namin sa Tondo, pinarada ang bus sa isang malaking court. Mula sa bintana ay nakita kong ang daming tao ang nakaabang at tila nagtataka kung bakit may bus dito sa lugar nila.

Nagsend muna ako ng update sa parents ko at kay Spade bago ko pinakinggan ang sinasabi ng adviser namin.

"Listen, class. Hanggang dito na lang ang bus. Hindi na kayo isa-isang maihahatid sa mga bahay dahil halos puro eskinita na sa looban nito. I have faith that you'll find your way to the houses assigned to you on your own. You're not kids anymore. Don't worry, some locals can assist you naman. Also, whatever happens, this court is going to be our meeting place. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Also, be mindful of your words and actions. We're not from here. It's best to be careful and alert at all times. This activity is by pair so naturally, we'll work with a buddy system. Wherever you go and whatever you do, make sure you're with your partner. We don't want anything bad to happen to any of you. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am..."

"Okay then, see you all tomorrow at 1:00 PM. Best of luck and please be in your best behavior. Always remember that you're carrying the name of our school. You may go."

Samu't saring ingay ang umalingawngaw sa bus. Tumayo si Reider para kunin ulit ang mga gamit namin sa rack. He then motioned me to stand on the aisle in front of him.

Tumayo ako at nag-abang na lumakad pababa ang mga nasa harap. Then I turned to Reider and reached out my hand to get my bag from him. He blankly stared at me for a second, then he held my shoulders with both his hands and turned me to face the front again.

Eh?

Silently from my back, tinulungan niya akong suotin ang strap ng backpack ko.

Napalunok ako. "Tha—"

"Move," tinapik niya ako sa likod to signal me to move forward. Doon ko napansin na naglakad na pala pababa ang mga nasa harapan. Mabilis akong sumunod.

"Saan inyo, bro? Sabay-sabay na tayo nila Klay kung bandang sa amin din ang nakuha niyo," tanong ni Teejay pagkababa namin sa bus.

Reider showed him a small piece of paper. Napangiwi si Teejay nang mabasa ito. "Mukhang magkalayo tayo ah. Sayang."

In the end, sabay na pumunta sina Teejay, Klay, at ang partners nila sa lugar na naka-assign sa kanila. At tulad namin, nahiwalay din sa lahat sina Adam.

"Tara na," anyaya ni Reider.

"Hindi ba tayo magpapasama sa local guide?"

"Look around you."

Huh? What does he mea—oh.

Ang natatanging limang local guides ay may kausap nang ibang pairings. Dapat pala kumausap kami kaagad! I pouted.

"Let's just ask around," he suggested as he walked towards a Turon vendor. Pinakita niya ang papel na naglalaman ng address na naka-assign sa amin.

"She said we have to ride a tricycle," ani Reider pagkabalik sa akin.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Ganoon talaga kalayo? Well, if that's what she said... I shrugged. "Okay, I guess."

Una akong pumasok sa tricycle tapos sumunod siya habang kandong-kandong namin ang mga gamit. I looked in front, and I couldn't help being conscious and awkward. May malaking salamin sa harap kaya nakikita ko ang itsura naming dalawa. Nakayuko si Reider at tila ang liit-liit lang ng tricycle para sa katawan niya.

I moved to my left to give him more space, then I felt him shift.

I rested my chin on top of my backpack and looked outside. Magkakadikit na bahay ang mabilis naming nalagpasan—some big, some small, some alright.