章 9: CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
I smiled nervously as I looked at their flabbergasted faces that kept looking to me then to Asta's face who looks emotionless right now. But if I know, he's probably checking my girl friends vital statistics.
Ilang minuto rin silang nakatingin lang sa amin habang hindi naman ako mapakali sa tinatayuan ko. Ayoko namang pilitin ang mga itong papasukin ako, kami. I want to hear their thoughts.
Dahil sa katahimikan, kahit kaonting ingay lang ay maririnig na namin. Kaya nang makarinig kami ng kaluskos ay naalarma na kami ni Asta.
Pagkalingon namin sa gate ay naglalakad na papunta sa amin ang limang taong nakangisi habang may hawak hawak na kaniya kaniyang pamalo.
"Shit. This is bad, we haven't set the traps yet," I whispered and looked at Asta who was also looking at me with a troubled face.
"I'll deal with them, you plant the traps, in five okay?" He commanded and I immediately nodded.
Hinubad nito ang backpack dahil nandoon ang mga traps kaya hinubad ko rin ang akin para mabilis akong makakilos.
"I'm sorry for doing this, but can you please stay back and hold our things for me? I'll explain later," wika ko at mabilis silang sinulyapan na nakatanga lang sa akin.
Tumakbo na si Asta papunta sa gate bago pa ito masira ng lima at para mapatahimik na ang mga ito dahil nakakakuha na sila ng atensyon at kung hindi namin bibilisan ang pag galaw ay matatrap kami sa bahay.
Bitbit bitbit ang maliit na bag na naglalaman ng traps ay mabilis ko itong itinanim sa paligid. Nasa harapan palang ako when a hand showed up. When I looked up, it was Cha and the others, smiling at me.
"We'll help you, just tell us where to plant... that," turo nito sa hawak hawak ko na mga bola.
I chuckled and smiled. Wow, This is so unexpected.
I hand them three each. "Ilagay niyo kahit saan, and mark it a little x that is visible enough for us," utos ko na mabilis naman nilang sinunod at tsaka naghiwa hiwalay na para maikalat ang mga bomba.
Samantalang ang mga lalaki naman ay tumutulong na patumbahin ang rumarami nang kalaban sa harapan ng bahay. The problem is, they don't have weapons to wield.
At mukhang ganoon rin ang naiisip ni Asta dahil tumingin ito sa akin. Tumango ako at saka hinubad ang dalawa kong kutsilyo.
Napamura ako nang maalalang naiwan ko pala ang baseball bat ko sa daan kanina.
"Here! Asta, Catch!" Sigaw ko at saka ito binato sa direksyon ng lalaki na madali lang naman nitong nasalo.
Dahil sila naman ang nakikilaglaban ay sila narin ang magdesisyon kung sino ang gagamit. As for me, I have to finish planting these bombs so I focused my attention on it.
Nakangiti akong napaupo sa harap ng bahay matapos taniman ang harapan ng bahay. Saktong 'yon ay ang pagkarating ng mga babae na may marurumi ring kamay kagaya ko at ang pagtapos ng mga lalaki sa mga kaaway.
I laughed genuinely after seeing how we looked, Now that's even. We are all covered in blood and muds.
Tatayo na sana ako pero may apat na kamay na biglang lumitaw sa paningin ko. When I looked up, it was their hands, wanting to help me to stand up.
"Come on bitch, This isn't how we expected you'll show up..." Nakangising ani Kris kaya napatawa ako.
"...but we're happy that you're safe," ani Nica sa masayang boses.
"... and alive, though reeks of blood," dagdag naman ni Chipher kaya napatawa ako ng malakas.
"... at nangangalay narin ang kamay ko, mind standing up?" Nakangiting ani Cha kaya natatawa akong tumango.
Dahil apat na kamay ang nakalahad sa harapan ko ay hinawakan ko sa kanan ang kamay ni Nica at Kris samantalang sa kaliwa naman ay kamay ni Chipher at Cha.
Pagkatayo ko ay sinugod ako ng mga ito nv yakap na natatawa ko namang ibinalik.
"I didn't expect the warm welcome. I thought I'll return here with a slap. I missed you guys,". Ani ko sa mahinang boses kaya nagtawanan ang mga ito.
"Most likely actually, If we didn't hear your voice mail," ani Kris.
Nanlalaki ang mata ko silang tinignan.
"What? You came to my room?!" I mumbled hysterically and they returned with a laugh.
"My, My... Let's go inside our home for now, alright?" Nakangiting saad ni Cha na sabay sabay naming tinanguhan.
Home... Yes, I'm home.
"Sure, I'll just go and fetch As. You should meet him girls," ani ko na masaya naman nilang tinanguhan.
Nauna nang pumasok ang mga babae habang tumalikod ako at tinignan ang mga lalaki na nakangiti ring nakatingin sa amin. Mukhang kanina pa ang mga itong nagmamasid sa amin.
Hindi mapilas ang ngiti ko ngayon at masayang tumakbo sa direksiyon nila.
"Sup!" Sigaw ko habang nakangiti. Nagtawanan naman ang mga ito.
"It's good that you're back," ani Gray kaya nginitian ko ito at tinanguhan. Ibinigay naman nito sa akin ang isang kutsilyo na siya pala ang nakakuha.
"That knife's really sharp," he complimented and I chuckled.
"Yep, His invention," ani ko at tinuro ang lalaki na inirapan lang ako kaya mas lalo akong natawa.
Sunod kong binalingan ang magbest friend na nakangiti rin sa akin.
"You should eat a lot okay? We cooked all your favorite dishes," Sabay na saad ng mga ito.
Naramdaman ko naman ang panunubig ng bagang ko sa pagkatakam.
"Oum!" I blurted and licked my lips in anticipation.
They both tap my head and smiled before going inside the house, followed by Gray.
I looked at Clay and he's also looking at me. Nginitian ko ito pero hindi ito ngumiti pabalik. Inabot nito sa akin ang isa ko pang kutsilyo na nababalutan na ng maraming dugo bago walang imik na pumasok sa loob ng bahay.
Mahina akong napatawa nang makaramdam ng kirot sa dibdib. I guess not all were happy that I'm back.
"Are you two together?" Asta's question bring me back to present.
I chuckled and punched his arm jokingly.
"Silly. That will not happen. Can't you see?" I answered and chuckled before pulling him inside the house.
"Yeah?" He replied and I shrugged.
"Yep, Definitely," I muttered and laughed. Sa umpisa palang ay may galit na sa akin ang lalaki kaya impossible ang sinasabi nito.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone," ani ko. Mabilis naman nitong inayos ang nagulong buhok at tsaka nakangising tumingin sa akin.
"How do I look?" He asked and I chuckled before doing a thumbs up.
"Better," I answered and he replied with a yes.
Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng bahay kung saan naabutan namin ang mga itong nakaupo sa sofa, except the boys who were also covered in bloods. Mga nakahubad na ang damit ng mga ito pangitaas at mga basa ang mukha.
Doon ko lang napansin kung gaano mas naging malaki ang katawan ng mga ito. The girls doesn't looked weak too. They have muscles on right places and looked physically fit.
So they really did train huh?
"You two should change too," ani Cha at inabutan kami ng tig-isang basang twalya.
Tumango ako at ipinunas ito sa mukha kong natalsikan ng mga dugo. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ng lalaki na tahimik na naman sa gilid ko.
Dahil hindi makuntento ay napabuntong hininga ako at saka nagsalita.
"This isn't enough, Can I take a quick bath?" I asked and they nodded. They don't have a choice though. I really felt sticky and I've been covered with bloods for an hour already.
"Oh, you should too. There's a common bathroom here, Take a bath there," saad ko sa lalaki at itinuro ang pinto ng comfort room.
Tumango naman ito dahil mas maarte ito sa akin. Paniguradong kanina pa ito nagtitiis kaya natatawa nalang ako kasi hindi ito makapagreklamo kanina. Bitbit bitbit ang bag nito ay mabilis itong pumasok ng CR at hindi pinagtuunan ng pansin ang iba.
Nagkibit balikat nalang ako. Maybe the reason why he doesn't want to introduce himself yet was because he's dirty and reeking of blood.
Nginitian ko ang mga ito at saka mabilis na tumakbo papuntang kuwarto.
"We'll talk later!" I shouted and never let them reply.
Mabilis akong pumasok sa kuwarto at dumiretso agad sa CR para maalis ang dumi sa katawan.
Nakapikit ako habang patuloy ang pag agos ng tubig sa mukha ko, as I carefully soap myself.
I missed showering in my own room. This felt nostalgic. Actually, everything feels nostalgic.
I showered for 15 minutes and wear a red halter top and a black cotton short and my bunny slippers before going down.
Saktong pagkarating ko ay mga nanonood na ito ng palabas pero ramdam mo ang pagkailang sa kanila. Nandoon narin kasi si Asta na hindi ko pa naipapakilala.
Narinig nang mga ito ang yabag ko kaya sabay sabay silang lumingon sa gawi ko. Tahimik akong umupo sa tabi ni Asta at sa gilid ko naman ay si Clay dahil iyon nalang ang available na pwesto.
Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko kahit na nga naging maayos naman ang pakikitungo nila noong dumating ako.
Pinatay ni Trav ang TV kaya mas lalong tumahimik ang paligid.
"First, I want you all to meet Asta. Asta, they're my friends," saad ko.
"Hello. Nice to meet you," seryosong saad ng lalaki.
Tumango naman ang iba at nagpakilala sa kaniya na tinatanguhan niya lang pabalik.
"Do you have your type already?" I whispered to him enough so that we're the only one who can hear it.
He chuckled and nodded before whispering to my ears too. "Yeah, the one in blue. She looks feisty. Definitely my type," he replied and laughed.
I gigled in amazement. "Great! She's the one I would like to refer to you, anyway," I admitted and he gasped.
"Ehem." Clay faked a coughed. That's when we realized that we've been whispering to each other for a minute.
Natawa ako at tumikhim.
"Oum. So... What do you want to talk about?" I asked, hoping to start a nice conversation.
"Everything," they replied in chorus. Napakamot ako sa ulo at ngumiwi.
"Specific please?" I pleaded.
"When did you meet Asta?" Nica asked curiously.
"The night I go out. He saved me actually, I was about to die and he appeared," I told them and they gasped in shock.
"You were about to die the same night you leave?!" Chipher shouted and I close my eyes because it's so loud.
"I-I have miscalculations," I stammered and chuckled.
"Yep. Bow down to me, Mei-Mei" Asta jokingly added and chuckled. I rolled my eyes and bow a little. "All hail to your highness," I replied and chuckled.
"You allowed him to call you Mei, Joy?" Cha asked and Asta looked at me.
"What? Joy?" He asked.
I sighed and raised my hand. "First, we don't know each other, so yeah. I'm Joy and I'm also Mei. Got a problem with that As?" I asked and he smirked and shake his head.
"... and about allowing him calling me Mei, Well... I never said that you weren't allowed to call me in my second name. I said, I hate being called by my second name but I didn't say you weren't allowed, Got it?" I explained and they creased their foreheads.
"You sounds like Travin's second version," Nica muttered and was pinched by Trav's in the cheek afterwards.
I laughed and did a thumbs up. Parang naging gano'n nga ang explanasyon ko.
"Saan siya galing?" Clay asked, making the tension rise again.
I looked over Asta who's stealing glances from Cha and smack his head.
"He's asking you," saad ko rito at trinanslate sa ingles ang tanong ng lalaki.
"Oh, I'll make the explanation as briefly as possible," he started and take a deep breath.
"I'm from Puerto Rico, I'm an ex navy seal who's an asset to the world government by inventing weapons and was sent to sail into Bermuda triangle to search for the lost city of atlantis but ended up here, almost a month ago. Companions? Dead." Seryosong paliwanag nito. I tap his shoulder, low-key comforting him.
"Why should I believe you?" Clay asked and Asta shrugs.
"I don't care if you'll believe me or not. But this girl here believed what I said. I came with her here because I trust her, simple." Sagot ng lalaki at kinindatan pa ako.
Napailing iling nalang ako. Ang gago talaga, sinabi nang ayusin ang ugali eh.
"Why did you trust him then, Joy?" Gray asked.
"He's trustworthy," sagot ko rito.
That doesn't make sense eh?
"He also got a book that their crew followed and he save me lots of times," I answered as truthful as possible.
I heard Clay tsk-ed and I look at him in annoyance. Kanina pa ito parang nireregla eh.
"It's okay if you don't believe me. For me, he's an ally. A friend. Afterall, he's the reason why I gathered food supplies for all of us." I admitted.
"Oh, scratch that— he's the one who gathered all the food supplies while I'm recuperating," I added and point my bag that they haven't open yet.
"That's full of foods and medicine supplies we gathered by robbing houses here," I admitted.
"Clay saw you the other day, roaming around here. Why didn't you show up to us?" Cha asked and I heard the others gasped in shock.
That means, she and Clay was the only one who knew that I'm here.
"We're securing the areas. You see, our location was the most dangerous place. We are surrounded by dangerous places so if I showed up, not only will I put you all into danger but also him," I explained.
"Still selfless, I see." Kris muttered and chuckled.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Asta is fine with me. We still have plenty to talk about but the food's getting cold, Can we all eat?" Chipher asked and I laughed before nodding.
"Sure. Just ask away," I replied.
Alam kong marami pa silang mga katanungan at paniguradong hindi nila ibababa ang guard nila hanggat hindi sila siguradong mapagkakatiwalaan si Asta.
"By the way, Joy. You're still wearing your knives. Are you planning to wear that all night?" Cha asked and that's when I noticed that I unconsciously wear the knife because of habit.
"Nasanay lang," Natatawa kong sagot bago ito tinanggal at inilapag sa lamesa.
Naglakad na ito papasok kaya hinila ko agad si Asta na hindi na nakaangal saka itinulak para sundan ang babae.
He looked at me irritatedly but I'm hella sure he's thanking me inside.
I laughed and mouthed Good luck as he followed my best friend.
I can see Clay moving from my pheripheral vision. Instead of giving my attention to him, I walked passed him and was planning to ignore him because he's clearly not in a good mood and he's been being an asshole the first time I arrive.
But I wasn't able to, the moment I walked passed him was also the moment he hold my wrist and cornered me to the nearest wall.
I gaped at him, shocked as my heartbeat started to race. He was intently looking at me like he was burning me. He looked at me like I did a horrible thing which is really unknown.
"What the hell, Clay?" I asked, surprised.
He was just intently looking at me and his grip started to loosen like he was holding me like I'm a fragile glass not wanting to break.
He brushed his index finger in my right eyebrow and I winced in pain because there's a small cut in there.
He cussed silently and he opened his mouth like he was about to say something and close it again.
We stayed for five more minutes in that position, him looking at me and me, looking back at him.
He grew some stubbles on his chin and has dark circles below his chinky eyes. His hair grew a little and was now in a top-knot hairstyle. He still looked handsome as before but he look like he's been on stress for so long.
"Are you okay?" I asked, concern was laced on my voice. He's my friend and he was lowkey supporting me on my decisions but also refuse to follow me whenever I'm going overboard.
Basically, he was the one who's continually stopping me from regretting my decisions all through out. He grew to me already.
Isang beses pa ako nitong tinitigan bago binitawan ang pulsuhan ko at lumayo sa akin at naglakad papuntang kusina kung saan nandoon na ang lahat.
"Tumaba ka," he whispered and I gaped at him.
Tangina?
Ang bilis nawala ng pagaalala ko at napalitan ng pagkainis, Hinabol ko ito at tumalon para sumakay sa likod niya which I successfully did while he's struggling to kept me intact so I won't fall.
Sinabunutan ko ito atsaka inikot ang tenga that's why he shouted in pain. Hindi naman ito makaganti dahil hawak hawak nito ang dalawa kong binti para hindi ako mahulog.
"Mataba pala ha, carry me to the kitchen then or else I'll turn you into a clay pot!" I shouted in annoyance to his ears.
"Ah! Shut up! Fuck!" He shouted to and wiggle his body but I tighten my grip on his waist.
Tawang tawa ako nang wala itong magawa kung hindi maglakad at dumiretso sa kusina kung saan naghihintay na ang mga ito. Tahimik naman ako nitong sinusumpa.
Nang makarating ay may pangasar na tingin ang mga ito sa amin na tinawanan ko lang. Mga malisosyo talaga, hindi maiiwasan.
"Tapos na ba ang kamustahan niyo? Ikaw Clay ha~" Nica teased in a sing-song voiced while Trav was filling her plate with foods.
Napataas ang kilay ko sa nakita. Ngayon ko lang napansin pero mukhang maraming nangyari sa pitong araw na wala ako.
Tinapik ko sa balikat si Clay para ibaba ako pero hindi ako ibinaba ng gago. Lumapit ito kay Cha kaya ang akala ko ay ibababa na ako ng lalaki pero hindi parin ako ibinaba nito.
"Tabi diyan, That's my chair." Ani ng lalaki.
Napailing iling ang babae at natatawang lumipat sa katabing bakanteng upuan, sa tabi lang ni Asta. Doon lang ako ibinaba ni Clay kaya binatukan ko siya at inirapan bago umupo. Natatawa naman itong umupo sa tabi ko.
Hindi na dapat ako nagaalala sa lalaki, sinusumpong lang pala ng kasungitan kanina.
True to their words, all my favorite food was in the table. Carbonara, Bufallo wings, My pack of Marshmallow, Cordon bleu and for dessert, Mango float and Leche Flan.
"Wow, Ano 'to? Fiesta? Birthday?" I asked as my eyes glisten with anticipation. Kanina pa ako takam na takam at ngayon, matitikman ko na ulit ito.
"Nope, Welcome back party. Yum! Hello there carbs!" Kris shouted as she savored the leche flan. Inaabutan lang naman ito ni Gray ng iba pang pagkain na tila nasisiyahan sa nakikitang reaksiyon ng babae. Napataas ang kilay ko pero hindi na ako nagkomento.
"I felt like I missed thousand of events here," I whispered and grab the cup of the mallows which was untouched. They all knew how obsessed I was with marshmallows, the reason why they aren't touching it.
"Yep, definitely a lot. We'll talk later in your room," Cha replied and I chuckled.
"Why my room? Kay Kris nalang so we can entertain ourselves while gossiping," I answered but she shrugs.
"I'm cool with anywhere," she replied again and ate silently.
I saw how Asta struggled to choose what to eat. He looked at me and his eyes were pleading. I laughed and point him the carbonara.
"Try that if you want to try pasta or this cordon bleu if you want rice and chicken. The white soup over there was it's sauce," ani ko atsaka ito tumango.
"I know how obsessed were you with cream so yep, you can try those," dagdag ko pa atsaka ito natawa bago itinuro ang marshmallows ko.
"Can I have one of that too? That's also my favorite," saad nito.
Masama ko itong tinignan atsaka itinago ang marshmallows ko at saka siya inirapan. Humalakhak naman ito dahil alam niyang hindi siya makakahingi kahit anong gawin niya.
"Here, I cooked this one." Clay bragged and put two buffalo wings on my plate.
Tumayo ako para maghugas ng kamay atsaka bumalik sa pwesto. Mas masarap kumain kapag nagkakamay!
Nang makita ako ni Cha ay gumaya rin ito sa akin hanggang sa halos lahat kami ay nagkakamay na pwera lang sa tatlo.
"What are you all doing?" Sabay sabay na saad ni Trav, Hen at Asta nang makita kaming kinakamay ang pagkain.
"Eating?" I replied.
"Yeah I know, I'm not dumb. What I mean is why are you using your hands? That's gross," nakangiwing ani Asta.
Inirapan ko ito bago sinagot. "I wash my hands already. You know what, why don't you try?" I asked but he immediately shook his head.
Mas maarte pa talaga ito sa akin eh.
"Focus on your food," utos sa akin ni Clay na masungit na naman.
Nakita kong tahimik na tinuturuan ni Chipher at Nica ang dalawang lalaki na magkamay na tinatangkilik naman ng dalawa. Afterall, they are filipinos.
"Pilitin mo nga 'yan bhie. Makikinig 'yan sa'yo," I whispered to Cha which she hesitantly did and told him how to use his hands.
I can feel my heart fluttering in Joy as I observe how harmonious our dinner turned out.
"You were matchmaking?" Clay asked when he saw right through my actions.
I nodded and chuckled. "Yes but don't tell anyone okay?" I admitted and laughed again.
"The last time I followed you on keeping my mouth silence, we were put into danger," he replied.
I was about to say my reply but he talked again.
"...but that's okay, I understand you now, and as long as it's you, I'll try to follow," he added and that's the first time I saw him smiled.
A genuine smile that has unspoken words. A smile that is full of meaning.
***
A wholesome chapter for you all! <3 If you want to chat with me, you can contact me on facebook, just search Cashidie Cross. I would love to chat with you guys :)
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