Claves Series 1: The World Beneath My Blanket

Part Twelve - Falling

Before I went to sleep, I hugged everyone goodnight. Nagtataka sila pero nagpapayakap pa rin naman.

I am thinking of the blood note on my wrist. Who could it be? And what does it mean?  

I covered myself with the fur blanket.

The next time I opened my eyes,  the sunlight greets me. Hinagod ko ng tingin ang paligid. Nasa kwarto pa rin ako. This is not Hell? Pa'no nangyari yun?

" Shang, maligo ka na magsisimba tayo ngayon," narinig kong wika ni papa sa baba. Bumangon ako at dali-daling bumaba.

" Papa!" patakbo kong wika at niyakap siya. He wasn't with us these past days because he explored his possibilities in the city. I missed him damn much.

" Ikaw talaga! ang tagal mo gumising. Sige na. Maligo ka na."

                     ******

Habang nakaluhod ako sa simbahan, napaisip ako.

Have I sinned because I helped Satan?

Have I sinned because I'm worrying about him even under the Lord's shelter?

Have I sin because I call him Master?

I sighed at the thought. 

"Ba't ang tahimik mo?" tanong ni mama saken.

"Hindi naman siguro pwede magdaldalan sa simbahan," I said and plastered a sarcastic smile.

"Hawakan mo nga 'tong payong, nakakawala ng fashion eh," wika ni ate saken. I took it without looking at her. 

I don't know why I feel dejected either. Could it be because I'm worried about my Master? or because I'm worried that I can't go back to Hell?

BANG!  BANG!  BANG! BANG!   

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

People panicked because of the gunfire.

" Walang kikilos! Taas lahat ng kamay!"

We raised our two arms in surrender. Holdapers ang mga 'to. Nasa panganib kami. 

" Ibigay nyo samin lahat ng gamit nyo!"

They did this crime in front of the church. Hindi na ba sila nahihiya? Am I so different? I even came here and and think about Satan. Napailing na lang ako at nagtaas ng kamay.

" Ang kakapal ng mukha nyong gawin 'to sa simbahan! " sigaw ni ate.

Fifteen holdapers had their attention fixed on her. Napapikit ako. Walang preno talaga ang bibig nito kahit kailan!

"Aaaaah!!" sigaw ni ate nang hinila ng holdaper ang mahaba nyang buhok.

Tatayo sana sina papa at kuya pero tinutukan sila ng baril.

" Move or she'll die," banta nito.

" Marunong ka naman pala mag english. Makakapasok ka sa call - center pero pinili mong mangholdap?"

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si ate. Sinamaan nya rin ako ng tingin.

" Mmmm, ang bango mo ah! hehe," wika ng isang holdaper at dinilaan ang leeg ni ate.

"Noooo!" umiiyak at nandidiring sigaw niya.

Tatayo na naman sana si papa pero pinigilan sya ni mama.

" Ibibigay namin lahat sa'yo. Ibalik mo lang ang anak ko, pakiusap," naiiyak at nanginginig  na sambit ni mama.

I felt my blood burning as I clenched my fist tighter. I waited for it.

The moment when their eyeballs looked away.

" You have a talent of your own Shang. You're agile and fast," puna ni Master saken noon.

Ang now is the perfect time.

I move swiftly towards the man holding my sister, holding the long umbrella in my hand like how I held my sword. I leaped in the air with the umbrella twirling between my fingers and hit them on their core points before they even realize it. When I sensed a fist coming from the other direction, I meet it with a kick,  grab his elbows and twisted it.

"Aaaaghhh."

When I saw the man who crept slowly to reach for his gun, I hurried towards him and stepped on his fingers.

I heard his bones breaking.

They attacked me with their strong fist and firm muscles.  I leaped in the air. With my umbrella and flying kicks, I slammed their dirty faces on the ground.

"Aaaaagh!" they exclaimed in pain.

When I spotted the man who hurt my sister, I stepped  on his stomach, making him cough his own blood.

"Shang tama na!" wika ni kuya.

If it weren't for my brother's arms holding me, I  might have lose control. I might have forgotten that this is a public place, a church, and I'm breaking bones.

I might have sent them to hell. 

Narinig ko ang  palakpak ng mga tao. They all were wearing happy faces. But it doesn't apply to my family.

Agad na niyakap ko si  ate.

"Okay ka lang ba ate?"

"Oo, ikaw? Okay ka lang ba?"

They look more worried of me. 

Tiningnan ko si kuya. He's looking at me the same.

" Pa'no mo ginawa yun?" nag-aalalang tanong ni ate.

I shrugged. My intuition says it's better to keep it a secret.  Bago dumating ang mga pulis ay binugbog pa nila kuya at papa ang lalaking humila kay ate kanina.

My parents wanted to asked me questions pero nararamdaman nilang ayaw kong sagutin kaya nanahimik nalang sila.

After the incident, I'm glad that I wasn't in hell. Pa'no nalang kung hindi ako nagising agad at may nangyaring masama habang wala ako?

Hinding-hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko kung mangyayari yun. Before I became Satan's slave, I am the youngest sister and the youngest daughter. Guilt will kill me if I'll lose them.

Humihingi ng explanation sina ate at kuya saken. They told me to stay awake hanggang sa makatulog na ng mahimbing  sina mama. Pupunta raw sila dito sa room ko mamaya.

Pero hindi ko na sila hinintay. A day here is a year in Hell. Kailangan kong malaman kung ano na ang nangyayari kay Master.

I covered myself with the blanket, praying to God that He'll sent me to Hell again. 

" Don't play with the blanket," paulit-ulit na replay  sa isipan ko.

But it's too late for a warning . I'm already part of it.

I felt my heart being squezzed that I could hardly breath.

I heard the sound of splashing water before I felt it soaking me totally.

I fell into the water.

" Shit!" sigaw ni Master sa gulat. " Stop scaring me, Slave!" bulyaw niya saken.

He's upper body is naked before me. Naliligo siya sa ilog at lantad na lantad ang abs.

Hoooot!

Why do everytime I fall , I always end up with him?

Why do even if I know it's not supposed to happen, it didn't bother me?

Why do even if I don't know the cause and aftermath of everything, I risk my life and come here?

Hindi ko masabi sa parents ko ang nangyayari. Was it because I'm scared that they would stop me? Was it because I'm scared that they would take my blanket away?  

Pwede ko namang palitan ang kumot ko pero di ko ginawa.What is my reason?

I myself knows none of it. 

Bakit nga ba Shang?

" Slave, are you ok? Tumutulo ang laway mo."