That Bitch Dancer is a Virgin

TBDV 41

Shakia's POV

"You're really the best friend I have ever known."

Naramdaman ko ang pagluwang ng hawak ni Kien sa palapulsuhan ko. His hand dropped to my side and I felt his warm ones covering mine tightly.

He leaned towards me and whispered. "When I say 'run', run for the door."

I looked up at him in confusion and I saw a dogged determination in his dark eyes. Mukhang may binabalak ito at hindi ko nagugustuhan 'yun.

"RUN!"

Kasabay ng iisang salitang 'yun ang pagbunot niya ng kung ano mula sa likuran niya.

The first shot almost blasted my eardrums. It was followed by another and another. Bulagta ang dalawang bantay na hindi inaasahan ang naging takbo ng mga pangyayari. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Mr. Han cowering in the back of two guards and barking orders.

For a moment I found myself rooted on the spot, transfixed, and frozen in fear. It's almost a miracle that not a single bullet was already embedded inside me.

"Shit, nagtatawag na sila ng iba!"

Arkien who was busy exchanging shots with the men held my hand and together we head to the door.

The run in the dark corridors felt like the longest run I've ever done in my life.

Alam kong nasa likuran lang namin ang mga tauhan ni Mr. Han at armado ang mga ito. Lalo kong binilisan ang pagtakbo. Ilang saglit bago ko naramdamang bumibigat na ang mga hakbang ni Kien.

Tumigil ako sa pagtakbo nang halos masubsob si Kien sa sahig.

"Kien? Kien you have to stand up!" I looked fearfully over my shoulder and back at him again.

Pawisan na ito at kita ko ang sakit at hirap sa mukha nito. I lowered my gaze and I almost fainted when I saw the dark glistening stain on his shirt. Duguan ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa tagiliran niya. Saka ko lang napagtanto na tinamaan siya no'ng nakipagpalitan siya ng putok sa mga tauhan ni Mr. Han kanina.

"Kien... kailangan mong tumayo," takot kong anas. Maya't maya ay tumitingin ako sa likod, almost expecting the men who were chasing us to show up and bury us in a pile of bullets.

Kumapit siya sa braso ko at inalalayan ko siyang makatayo. He clenched his jaw as he made an effort to walk.

"We're going to make it. We have to make it," usal ko. I need to say it out loud to make it more believable.

Kailangan nating mabuhay para sa mga taong naghihintay satin.

"Malapit na tayo sa pintuan, Kien. Konti nalang." Gusto kong palakasin ang loob naming dalawa. Hindi kami pwedeng panghinaan ngayon.

We are too strong to just fall this easily tonight.

Kita ko na! Sa tantiya ko ay sampung metro ang layo ng pintuang nakita ko matapos namin kumaliwa sa isang pasilyo.

Hope flared in my heart. We'll be alright.

But a bucket of cold water almost immediately doused that flaring hope when I saw that behind us, the men has already catch up.

I willed my legs to move faster. Faster. Just a little more. Kailangan naming makalabas dito.

"Hey, shin'yu."

Nilingon ko ang katabi ko. Halos maiyak ako nang makita ang ngisi sa labi nito. He was flashing the sunny smile that used to annoy me so much.

"They'll be firing at us any second now. We should make a run for that door, don't you think so?"