Phoenix vs Janna

Chapter 38

It was still early the next morning when Janna woke up to sunlight shining through the cave entrance and Phoenix's arms around her as he slept peacefully.

She smiled contentedly, loving the feel of his warm body against hers.

Phoenix opened his eyes and saw Janna watching him sleep.

"Good morning." He smiled and kissed her. "It is morning, right?" He asked.

"Oo. Pwede na tayong umalis. Wala nang ulan."

"Dito na lang tayo. Like this." He said, reaching out to hug her tight. He ran his hands over her back gently.

"Let's stay here forever." He kissed her passionately.

"Okay..." Janna breathed as she returned his kiss.

-o-

Soon after a breakfast, they heard the sound of flowing water outside the cave. It made them curious enough to explore.

The sound came from a waterfall. They weren't aware that the cave was near one yesterday, because of the chaotic storm. But today, the crystal waters cascaded serenely down in tinkling notes into a clear pool, inviting them into its depths.

They decided to take a dip in the pool to wash away yesterday's dirt and grime.

They spent a magical time in the secluded pool, content to be with each other, wishing things like advocacy and social reality wouldn't have to intrude on them anymore.

-o-

They started their trek down to civilization after they emerged from the pool.

Hand in hand, they began the long climb back down.

They were walking for about thirty minutes when they heard the sound of voices to the far right of the trail.

They froze.

Remembering the encounter they had yesterday, Phoenix and Janna hid behind some trees and bushes. They were hidden from view but they could see the group of men talking.

They were armed men in army camouflage. There were more than ten of them, and each one had a high-powered weapon leaning ominously at their sides.

They were sitting on the ground and on the rocks, listening to their leader talking about an operation plan.

Janna nearly gasped loudly when they heard the gist of the conversation.

The men were a special operations squad.  They had come from the military detachment in town.

They talked in hushed tones and mentioned the names of the leaders in Carlo's camp.

They were headed towards the rebel camp's location. The mission was to capture everyone especially the leaders. Proceed with maximum tolerance, but capture the leaders dead or alive.

They would continue marching after they rested, and would arrive in the afternoon.

Janna and Phoenix moved away hurriedly from the group after hearing this. They half-run, half-walked silently, careful not to be discovered, not really looking at where they were going as long as they could get away as far as possible.

They stumbled into a small clearing a great distance away from the army hit squad. They collapsed panting and gasping from exertion.

Then Janna stood up and began to walk. Her direction was towards the mountains, not down the town.

"Janna, wait! It's the wrong direction. This way!"

"No." She shook her head, her eyes filled with fear.

"What?"

"Kailangan nating warning-an sina Carlo. Kung bibilisan natin, mauunahan natin ang mga militar!"

She groped for her cellphone. "Wait, baka matawagan ko sila!"

"Janna..."

"Shit! Bakit walang signal? Shit! Shit!" She kept saying, moving about the clearing while holding her phone up to desperately find a signal.

"Let's go. Bilisan natin!" She urged Phoenix again.

"Janna! Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? Babalik tayo sa kampo?" Phoenix asked.

"Oo!"

"Delikado, Janna! Giyera ang papasukan natin. Nakalimutan mo na ba ang nangyari kahapon?"

Despite her panic and desperation, Janna realized something as Phoenix said that. It was indeed dangerous, and she couldn't bear dragging Phoenix to yet another danger. He had been through so much for this dark and ugly side of her advocacy.

"Then umalis ka na. Mauna ka na sa kapatagan. Susunod ako." She decided.

"No, Janna. Sabay tayong aalis. Bumaba na tayo! Let's go. " Phoenix implored, panic slowly overtaking him at the thought of Janna putting herself in impending danger.

"I can't. Kailangan kong sabihan sina Carlo!"

"Janna, please...!" Phoenix was literally begging.

Janna went to him and hugged him tightly. Phoenix hugged her back.

"Aalis na ako! Wala nang time." She moved to leave. Phoenix grabbed her hand.

"Janna, please stop and think! May mga armas din sina Carlo. I'm sure they can take care of themselves!"

Janna tried to break free.

"If we warn them, we'll become traitors to the country! We'll be interfering with government operations. Anak ako ng senador! Paano ko magagawa yun?" Phoenix tried to explain.

"Kaya nga ako na lang ang babalik, Phoenix! At kung makaiwas sina Carlo, wala nang dadanak na dugo, rebelde man o militar!"

"Informer ang tawag sa 'yo kung gagawin mo yan!"

"At ano? Maging katulad mo? Duwag!? Hayaan na lang na mamatay ang mga tao sa kampo? Mga tao din sila, Phoenix! Mga naging kaibigan mo! Nakalimutan mo na ba?" Janna tried to sound as harsh as she could so she could send him away.

Phoenix reeled back as if she had struck him.

"I'm sorry." She regretted her outburst.

"Eto na naman tayo, Janna! Ikaw, si Carlo. It's always Carlo! Paano naman ako?" He said bitterly.

"Phoenix, walang kampihan dito! Mga buhay ng tao ang involved!"

"You told me ako ang gusto mo. You told me mahalaga ako sa 'yo! Was that a lie?" Phoenix asked angrily.

"No!" She denied.

"Then mamili ka ngayon, Hellcat!" Phoenix said.

"Phoenix! Huwag ganito! Alam mong ikaw ang importante sa akin!"

"Then choose me. Let's go!"

"Ngayon lang, please. Last na ito. Alam mong hindi natin kayang mamuhay nang normal pag may nangyari sa kanila." Janna begged him to understand.

"Choose, Janna!"

"Sana hindi na natin nalaman!  Pero narinig natin ang plano nila. Kaya pa nating pigilan! Please, Phoenix! Huli na 'to! Please!" Tears were forming in Janna's eyes, knowing the time spent arguing was increasing the risk to many lives.

"Me or him, Janna!"

Silence.

Janna was nearly blinded by tears as she walked towards him. She put her arms around his neck and desperately kissed him. Phoenix breathed a sigh of relief.

Janna pulled back, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry!" She whispered brokenly.

Phoenix stood still, his eyes empty. He pushed her roughly away. He slung his backpack on his shoulders, and started walking in the direction of town.

Janna watched him in anguished silence. Then she took a deep breath and began running as fast as she could towards the mountain.