Chapter 29: Dracula (Part 2)

Isinara ko ang laptop pagkatapos ng pinanuod ko. When I glanced at the clock on my bedside table ay alas syete pa ng gabi. Andi and Therese were probably on the cafeteria right now at nagdi-dinner. Inanyayahan nila ako kanina pero tumanggi ako. Nagmeryenda kami kanina kaya medyo busog pa ako. Mas pinili ko na lamang na manatili sa silid at manuod ng palabas.

I set aside my laptop at kinuha ang cellphone ko. I plugged the earphones at nakinig ng music ngunit may naramdaman akong tunog. Sounds like something was pressed against the window or is it someone knocking? Hindi ko iyon pinansin at muling hinarap ang cellphone ngunit muli kong naramdaman ang pagkatok sa bintana. I removed my earphones and checked the windows, I almost leaped in surprise nang makitang may tao ngang kumakatok doon. Dali-dali akong napatayo at binuksan ang bintana only to find Jeremy on the window.

"What are you doing?", I asked at hininaan ang boses. Delikado na dahil baka may makarinig sa amin. I pulled him inside at agad na sinarado ang pinto.

"Hey! Not so fast", he joked and hugged his own body. "Be gentle please- aray!"

My fist landed on his gut kaya napangiwi siya habang nakahawak doon. "Sorry, my fist slipped."

"Gusto mo talaga ng cariño brutal ano? Fine! I'm willing to be your submissive."

"My fist want to slip again", irap ko sa kanya kasabay ng pagkuyom ng kamao ko.

"Just kidding", he said and gave me a V-sign. "Bakit ka nagmumukmok dito? Nakapag-prepare ka na ba? We're leaving by 9 PM."

Sumulyap ako sa nakapatong na traveling bag sa kama. It's already Friday at magca-camping na kami sa site kung saan gagawin ang test of courage namin at ang community service. Math already made the necessary things beforehand with her own efforts and other officers. Nakahanda na rin ang mga camping tent doon kaya hinihintay na lamang namin ang alas nwebe para umalis na.

"Hindi ako nagmumukmok", sagot ko sa kanya. "What are you doing here?"

"The Triumvirate plus one is looking for you outside."

Triumvirate plus one? Ibig sabihin ay kasali si Math. Why did they send Jeremy instead of Math gayong nakatira lang din ito sa dorm, only that on the other floor?

"Why?"

"They're up for some horror adventure", nakangiting sagot niya. I made a face when I understand what he said. Horror adventure?

"Tapos na ang November, just so you know."

"Who says horror is only for Halloween?"

I sighed and concede to his idea. He's right. Pero nakapagtataka pa rin na siya ang pumunta dito knowing the fact that boys are not allowed inside the rooms. Hanggang sa receiving area lamang sila ng dormitory pwede.

"Bestie, nag-away ba kayo ni Math?"

Nag-away nga ba kami ni Math? Cold war, pwede. But I just want to be honest so I told her that I don't trust her. Wala naman sigurong masama kung magiging honest ako diba?

"Wala naman. Bakit mo naman nasabi?", I asked at nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Every time you look at her, you look like you're about to murder her."

Oh, I do. I really want to. But there's no way I will admit it. Mahirap na dahil baka sabihin nitong insecure ako kay Math. No I am not. Kung may insecurities man ako, definitely it's with myself and not with her.

Tumayo ako at tinulak siya papunta sa bintana na pinasukan niya kanina. "Umalis ka na dahil bababa na ako, sige na." He didn't protest at agad na bumaba doon after I assured him na susunod ako.

***

"Listen everyone! This is a test courage! It is your strength to persevere and withstand your fear! Get inside the forest and get a stake that was pushed in the ground!"

Sumigaw ng Yes ang mga kaklase ko. They were really so excited about this test of courage thing. Kanya-kanya na silang kapit sa kanilang mga partner. Nasa labasan kami ng gubat ng isang baranggay. We will spend the night here on the camping tents na itinayo kaninang umaga.

"Bestie, ang tagal pa natin. Pumasok na nga pala ang unang pares", wika ni Jeremy at naupo sa isang nakatumbang kahoy. Maingay ang paligid dahil sa usapan ng mga kaklase namin na nandito. They were talking about so many things while waiting for their turn. Ilaw mula sa malaking buwan at mga torch sa paligid at flashlights lamang ang nagsisilbing tanglaw namin sa madilim na kakahoyan. Iniikot ko ang paningin sa paligid, hoping to find a pair but I couldn't.

"Where's Math and Gray?", hindi ko napigilang tanong. Hindi naman siguro masama kung tanungin ko kung nasaan sila. Isa pa, our adviser reminded us to always look for the others to avoid complications and accidents.

"Ewan. Nandito lang naman sila kanina", he said at iniikot na din ang paningin sa paligid but like me, he also failed to find them. Nagtanong na rin kami sa iba naming mga kaklase ngunit wala ring nakapansin kung nasaan sila. We waited longer at maraming pares na ang nakapasok. We were sent inside five minutes apart kaya may iilan pang pares ang hindi pa nakakapasok.

Malayo kami sa campsite and I am having a situation right now. I need to see Math since she's the only one who can help me. May ibang mga kaklase din naman akong babae na naroon but I don't think asking them a favor is a good idea. I don't want to be indebted to them kaya si Math lamang ang maari kong hingan ng pabor even if we are not really in good terms.

"We need to find them!", I said, sounded so desperately.

"Huwag kang mag-alala Bestie. Hindi sila gumagawa ng himala ngayon dahil may period si Math", sagot ni Jeremy. What the hell?! That is the reason that he can think of dahil sa paghahanap ko kay Math?! Kailan pa siya naging dirty minded?! Uh, I forgot. He is still a man after all. He introduced me to Maria Ozawa and the latest is- sino nga ba yun? I think her name has something to do with the rapper Whiz Khalifa. I just cannot remember what it is.

"Kapag naliligo ka, hugasan mo na rin ang utak mo, ang dumi na kasi. And how the hell did you even know that Math has a period?"

"May tagos siya kanina", he said at nag-iwas ng tingin. "Bakit mo ba kasi sila hinahanap?"

That's it. I cannot hold it any longer so with or without Math, I have to let it go. I held Jeremy's wrist tightly at hinala siya palayo doon. "Come with me. I cannot hold it anymore!"

Nagpatangay siya sa akin palayo sa ibang mga kaklase namin at naghanap ng madilim at tagong lugar. I made sure that no one can see us, at siniguradong walang ibang tao sa paligid.

"Bestie no! Lalaki lang ako, nadadarag. Hindi pa ako ready-"

"Shut up Jeremy. Naiihi ako, stay there and guard me", I left him with a mouth wide open at agad akong umihi sa tapat ng puno. Sa lahat ba naman ng panahon, ngayon pa talaga ako naihi! Malapit na akong matapos nang bigla akong nakarinig ng boses.

"Jeremy? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" It was Gray's voice.

"Ah-eh." Shit, Jeremy's stammering! Malapit na akong matapos so I have to hurry.

"Bakit nandito ka?", wika ni Math.

"I'm guarding."

"Guarding who?"

"Hep, where are you going!", natatarantang wika ni Jeremy. Saktong naisuot ko na ang short ko when Math and Gray showed in front of me.

"Amber?"

"I need to pee", I said immediately.

"At si Jeremy ang kasama mo?", Gray sounded so irritated. "Puns, sigurado ka bang hindi ka namboso?"

I ignore his question at naunang lumakad. "Balik na tayo doon." Hinila ko na rin si Je upang hindi na nito masagot ang tanong ni Gray. Hindi na sila nagtanong pa at bumalik na kami sa base ng test of courage. Pagdating namin doon ay nagkakagulo ang mga kaklase namin. Some looks so afraid and worried habang may ibang hinihingal naman.

"What happened?", nag-aalalang tanong ni Math sa adviser namin na kausap ang kaklase namin na hinihingal.

"M-may bampira", she replied while sounded so afraid. "Nakakatakot sa loob."

"Bampira? Sigurado ba kayo?"

"Math, I think we have to cancel this activity. I thought you checked the site first?", tanong ng guro.

"I did and so far maayos naman. May usap-usapan na may bampira sa baryong ito but I don't think it's true. Isa pa, it adds to the thrill", she responded.

"I would like to agree to you Miss Corazon but I cannot risk the lives and security of your classmates. May hinimatay na so we have to cancel this." The teacher looked at the other students. "Everyone, please walk back to the campsite. We will cancel our activity tonight."

Wala kaming nagawa kundi ang bumalik sa campsite namin kung nasaan ang mga nakatayong tent. Since it was already past midnight, agad na kaming pinapasok sa mga tent na nakaassign sa amin. Tatlo kami sa tent and I happened to stay with Math and my classmate Yuri.

"Anong mangyari Yuri?", Math asked her, making sure her voice was low upang hindi kami marinig ng mga guro na nakaronda upang masigurong nasa loob na ang bawat estudyante. We were instructed not to talk about it tonight.

"Nakakatakot", Yuri replid. "May bampira nga dito!"

"Oh come on. I heard about it when I check this place pero naniniwala kayo doon?"

"But I saw it!", she appealed. "Nakita ko talaga yung lalaking bampira."

"Dracula. People here call him as Dracula."

"May pangil siya. At-"

"At?", sabay na tanong namin ni Math.

"At may kabaong sa bahay niya! That's probably where he sleeps! Nakita kasi namin ang bahay, we got curious so we went inside at nakita namin siya! He was so angry that he showed his fangs kaya kumaripas na kami ng takbo ", her voice was shaking and I guess she didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"Get a good sleep Yuri. We still have a long day tomorrow", wika ko sa kanya.

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan. May medical mission team na on the way at kailangan lamang naming gawin ay ang mag-assist sa kanila. It's pretty easy than our other community service na kami pa mismo ang nagpa-plano. Marami na rin ang nagising at naghanda na. It was almost eight in the morning when the medical mission team arrived at nagsimula na. It went smooth for the time being hanggang sa nananghalian na kami.

"Ang init talaga dito", reklamo ni Jeremy habang kumakain kami. "Marami namang punong-kahoy pero napakainit pa rin."

"How's the community service so far?", Math asked. Mahilig siyang maghingi ng review for the performance. Well maybe that's because she is the class president.

"It's doing well. Wala masyadong natatanggap na reklamo ang grievance committee", sagot ni Gray. "Siguro pagsapit ng alas kwatro ay makakauwi na tayo."

"Okay then. Would you let this day passed without seeing Dracula himself?", she asked with a mischievous smile. What now? Seriously she wants us to see that so called vampire?

"That's a good idea!", sabay na wika ni Jeremy at Gray bago ako hinila patayo sa mesa. Dahil abala pa sa pagliligpit ang iba, they didn't notice that we sneak out of the team at bumalik sa gubat kung saan nangyari ang test of courage namin kagabi that was eventually cancelled.

"What the hell are the three of you thinking?!", I said and tried to free myself from Gray's and Jeremy's grip. Mainit ang tanghali but thanks to the trees for providing shade.

"They saw the house of Dracula inside this forest kaya dito na lamang tayo dumaan", wika ni Math as she guided the way. Papasok ba talaga kami doon? Naniniwala talaga sila? So what if may kabaong, baka may lamay doon. And the set of fang, hello?! Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Jeremy, Avril Lavigne got pretty sharp teeth and I swear that she's not the only one who got sharp teeth.

"Bitiwan niyo nga akong dalawa!", wika ko sa kanila. They're holding my arm tightly like they have no intention of letting me go.

"Don't run away", Gray said bago ako binitawan. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss this."

I smirked at them but still continued walking with them. "Dracula? Vampirism? Seriously Gray? I'd rather see Detective Adler and tag along for interesting case other than this." Fine that was a lie. I cannot stand Detective Adler as much as vampire cases like this but still I have said it though.

"That man's a vampire. He suck bloods, only that he made it for fame and recognition."

Jeremy cleared his throat. "Since we are heading towards the castle of Dracula, it's time for my most awaited quizzes."

"No one's waiting for your puns Jeremy", Math said ngunit hindi ito pinansin ni Jeremy. She just continued walking on Gray's side whole I am on the other side.

"Okay! So here it is. Bakit nakulong si Dracula?"

"Ewan."

"Dunno."

"Gray?

Gray scoffed and made a face. "I think I know but I am not saying it."

"Okay, let's get this through. Edi dahil nagnakaw siya sa BLOOD BANK! HAHAHAHA!"

Eh? Seriously?

"Just as I thought", bulong ni Gray.

"Next! Bakit umiiyak si Dracula?", he asked with a face who was smiling all over. Maybe he was still laughing with his previous pun.

"Ewan."

"Hindi ko alam."

"Argh! Nakaka-frustrate na kayo! Matatalino ba talaga kayo?", he asked after pulling his hair out of frustration.

"Just shoot."

"He cried because he failed the BLOOD TEST! HAHAHAHAHA!", he laughed again and for the second time I wanna roll my eyes. "Eto, this is the last one."
.

"I hope it really is the last", I mumbled.

"I mean the last for today."

Uh, yeah. Akala ko naman last na talaga as in last.

"Sige na Jeremy. What is it?"

"Anu-ano ang inorder ng mayaman, middle class at mahirap na bampira sa isang restaurant?", he asked.

"I'm not the waiter so how would I know?", pamimilosopo ni Gray sa kanya which he replied with a smirk.

"Math?"

"Eh? I'm not a waitress too." Pfft! Gaya-gaya sa sagot ni Gray!

"Bestie?", he asked and when he saw me glaring at him ay napasimangot siya. "Sige na nga! Sirit na lang! Yung mayaman, fresh blood. Sa middle class naman, dinuguan. Sa mahirap ay mainit na tubig."

"Where's the pun?", Gray asked.

"Oo nga. At bakit mainit na tubig yung sa mahirap?", Math said.

"Mainit na tubig kasi nakapulot siya ng napkin kaya magtsa-tsaa na lang siya! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Uh? Can he be any worse?

"I think we found the place", wika ni Math na bahagyang huminto. She was pointing over a small creepy house na itim ang mga kurtina base sa nakikita namin sa glass windows. I felt a cold wind down my spine. Truth us matatakutin talaga ako so something creepy like this is a big No-no.

"K-kailangan pa ba talaga nating pumasok diyan?", tila nagdadalawang-isip kung tutuloy ba doon o hindi. Like me, I know he is having a cold feet right now.

"Of course. Nagtanong-tanong ako sa mga tao tungkol kay Dracula. You know what I found? Hindi siya lumalabas kapag umaga. Mabuhok ang braso niya. No one saw his entire face pero sigurado sila sa dalawang matutulis na ngipin niya. Pumapatay din siya ng mga wild animals na nandito sa gubat. I think Dracula feed on them", Math said.

"At ano? Ipapakain natin ang mga sarili natin? No way!", protesta ni Jeremy while holding his neck.

"Nonsense", Gray said. "Let's get inside bago pa mapansin ng iba na nawawala tayo."

Despite our refusal ay isinama pa rin nila kami sa loob. The door wasn't lock at nang buksan iin ni Gray ay may itim na kurtina doon. Actually, the room was really dark kahit tanghaling tapat dahil nakasara ang mga bintana at may makapal at itim pa na kurtina doon. Sa sobrang dilim ay halos wala na akong maaninag kaya inilabas ko ang cellphone ko at ginamit iyon bilang flashlight.

"You know we could be sued for trespassing!", bulong ko. And yeah, unlucky for all of us because we're both on the age where we can go to prison for any time.

"Yan ay kung mahuhuli tayo", Gray said. "Tingnan niyo ito."

We went to see what he was talking about and it was the stakes that was pushed on the ground for our test of courage. Mukhang hinigit iyon ni Dracula mula sa lupa at dinala sa madilim niyang bahay.

"Yan ang stakes na itinanim ng mga lalaki kahapon para sa activity. Anong ginagawa niyan dito?", Math asked.

"That is not the interesting part", sagot ni Gray at inilabas ang panyo. Using it he picked a stake and showed it to us. Blood. There were traces of blood on the stake. Sa hawakan iyon samantalang lupa naman ang nasa matulis na bahagi.

"Sino kayo?"

The voice was loud and scary that it roared all throughout the room. Out of reflexes ay naitapat namin ang mga flashlight ng cellphone namin sa kanya. He was a hairy man at gaya ng sabi-sabi ay may matulis na ngipin nga siya! He was wearing a black cloak over his body at nagulat ito sa ginawa namin. The next thing we know is that he jumped us and landed right to Jeremy!

"AAAAAHHH! TULONG!"

Nataranta kaming apat at nabitawan ang cellphone. I saw Gray tried to grab Dracula who was attacking Jeremy na nakahiga ngayon sa sahig. Math and I were shouting worriedly at dahil madilim ang paligid ay wala kaming masyadong nakikita.

"Amber! The windows!", Math yelled at tumakbo sa gilid kung nasaan ang bintana. I also did the same and we pulled the heavy curtains pagkatapos buksan ang mga bintana. Bumagsak ang mga kurtina sa sahig at pumasok ang sikat ng araw sa loob and the next thing that happened was so surprising!

Dracula was shouting like he was badly hurt at nahiga sa sahig. His skin was burning as it was exposed to the sunlight! His skin began to swell and darkened as it was exposed.

"I don't know how this happen but I guess we really had Dracula!", humihingal na wika ni Jeremy habang tinitingnan namin si Dracula na nasusunog ang balat.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs