Escapade

chapter 39

Gabi na noong nakauwi kami ni Syd. He's tired because of driving. Nakakain na kami at magpapahinga na lang.

"I am not sleepy." natatawang sabi ko sa kanya noong hinihila niya ako pahiga sa tabi niya.

"Tabihan mo lang ako.." he softly said. Hinayaan ko na siyang mahila ako sa tabi niya. Mabilis niyang niyakap ang bewang ko at pumikit.

He looks so sleepy.

"Can I use your phone? Nabobored ako," sabi ko sa kanya at inabot ang cellphone sa bedside table.

Binuksan ko 'yun at nanghihingi ng password. Tumingin ako sa kanya, he opened his eyes.

"What's your password?" tanong ko sa kanya. He closed his eyes and hugged me tighter.

"Your second name." he sleepily answered.

My heart jolted because of his answer. Oh sweet heavens! Kailan pa niya password 'yon?

I typed my second name as the password and crazily, it really opens.

Naglaro ako ng laro niya sa cellphone. Mukhang pampalibang lang naman niya 'to at minsan lang gamitin ang cellphone. I played his one and only game on his phone, Subway Surf.

I heard his deep breathing. Nilingon ko siya at mahimbing na ang tulog sa tabi ko, mahigpit ang kapit sa aking bewang na tila ayaw akong paalisin.

Inayos ko ang kumot sa katawan niya bago pindutin ang instagram. Inopen ko ulit doon ang ginawa kong account.

I gasped when I saw a lot of messages from Iris. She's been messaging me since morning. It's already 11 in the evening!

seleneiris :  Where are you? Contact me, immediately, Heldigar.

That's her last message, kakasend lang noong alas diez. She's online. Punong puno ng tanong ang kanyang mga message. Of course she will ask me, nawawala na ako ng halos anim na buwan.

I trust Iris na hindi magsasalita kung nasaan ako at kung sino ang kasama ko. She hated my father because she caught my father doing stupid things in front of me. But we were kids before, sino ang maniniwala sa amin?

gracietorres : I'm in Sagada. I need your help.

She immediately typed her reply.

seleneiris : You can have my help, may kapalit. Answer everything when I am done helping you.

gracietorres : Sure.

I asked for her help. I also asked her to keep everything a secret, but she said she won't. After a minutes or so, my Lola messaged me. Sumunod ang aking Lolo. Napasinghap ako nang gumalaw si Syd at yumakap pa lalo ng mas mahigpit.

Helena Buena : Apo, go here to France.

Dimitri Buena : You don't have to worry, Heldigar.

Hindi ko napigilan ang pagluha. Matagal ko ng gustong humingi ng tulong sa kanila pero hindi ako makagawa ng paraan dahil kay Daddy. He blocked everything na pupwede kong magamit para macontact ang mga Buena. At sa tuwing may nagagawa akong paraan ay halos patayin na niya ako.

I wiped my tears and looked at the man who's sleeping peacefully beside me. Humiga ako sa tabi niya at yumakap kahit na punong puno ng luha ang mga mata ko.

I quietly sobbed in his arms. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pag iyak dahil sa mga nararamdaman ko.

Love was everything. Love can set you free from everything. But sometimes, love is toxic.