Watch your words, they become your actions: 23 | Where's Ruby?

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"Where's Ruby?" Aoike asked frustratingly for the nth time.

It's been yesterday she hasn't shown up, kahit may klase pa at dalawang araw nalang bago matapos ang buwan ay wala parin kaming nakikitang Rubianna.

"What now?" pagtatanong ko kasi hindi ko rin alam ang gagawin. Hindi ko naman alam papaano hanapin ang baliw na babaeng iyon.

Kung pwede lang hindi na hanapin eh. Pero ako ang kinakagalitan ni Aoike. Hindi ko naman alam kung saan siya dinala, tinago o kinulong ng boyfriend niya.

Tch.

And who thought someone as ugly as her had a boyfriend? Also, kissing her last—fuck Gael. Stop thinking about it.

Why are my friends so worried anyway? Nawalan nga ng malay si Floid at Chanel dahil sa kanya eh. Kung makapag alala silang dalawa, para bang isang ihip ng hangin ay tatangayin na siya.

Speaking of them though, hinahanap nga pala ni Mister Dick si Ruby dahil sa nangyaring kaguluhan sa tapat ng main building. Ang sabi ni Mister Dick sa amin ay kandidato kami for suspension for two weeks, hindi nga lang mangyayari iyon hanggat hindi pa papasok si Ruby.

"Anong what now?" Aoike's eyes narrowed at me. "Hindi ako makakampante dito kaka antay kay Ruby! Where she could be, ba kasi!? And we haven't apologize yet!"

"I already did." I answered truthfully, hoping it would calm her.

"Really? Then?" kunot noong aniya, habang ngumunguya.

"Pero noong bago pa ang nangyari sa'ting lahat..." I shrugged. "Her rudeness couldn't afford it. Ang hirap niyang pakisamahan."

"You can't blame her, dude. Ilang beses mo siyang sinaktan. Even made a drama with Floid, and the last day?" wika ni Chad, na tumutukoy sa ginawa kong panununtok.

Napabuntong-hininga ako, "Alam ko na 'yon, Chad."

"Aba, buti naman! Kasi halatang assault 'yun. Pwede kang makulong." dagdag pa nito. Hindi ko naman nagawang sumagot pa at natahimik nalang. Now, I'm fully aware of what I did, and I was such a moron for hitting her like I could actually kill her. "Ano hindi paba tayo papasok?" asked Chad after a couple of minutes.

"No, Ayoko." agad na pagmamaktol ni Aoike. "I want to find her. I know she's here." her eyes narrowed as he scanned the cafeteria.

"How are you so certain?" Chad asked, also glancing around.

"I saw a car that wasn't here before. Wala akong nakikitang ganoon ka garbong sasakyan—liban sa inyong dalawa. Maybe it belongs to her boyfriend?"

"Paano mo nasabi?" usisa ko naman. 

"Well, she's been riding her motorbike everywhere, and I haven't seen it. Maybe this means she's not alone anymore."

"Wait, do you mean that she owns the Ducati inspired by Houracan? Iyon lang naman ang motorbike na nakikita kong magara dito." Chad butted in at tumango si Aoikee. Akala ko, ako lang ang nakaka alam na sa kanya iyon. "What the heck, wala sa hitsura niya ang pagiging mayaman."

"Wala rin sa hitsura mo ang pagiging matalino," she grunted at him.

Chad pouted, "Woii, don't judge a cover by its book nga diba." agad nangunot ang noo ni Aoike.

I sighed and tend to my lunch. Kanina pa tapos ang lunchbreak at dahil ayaw pumasok ni Aoikee, um-order nalang ulit ako ng pagkain dahil gutom na gutom ako.

"Don't judge a book by its cover, kasi. Baka!"

"Ayy binago na?"

"Tsk, cut it, Chad." Aoikee shot him a sharp look, "Let's focus on how to find Ruby." she then crossed her arms and squinted her eyes.

Chad leaned back, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Come to think of it," he said, eyes narrowing, "what if Floid did something to Rubianna?" He paused, as if savoring the sinister thought. "Maybe he got revenge... or worse?" His voice dropped to a murmur, his gaze fixed on some point in the distance.

"Chad, that's not funny," Aoikee hissed, "Stop talking like that." 

I searched Chad's face, trying to tell if he was serious or just provoking me. Alam kong gusto niyang mang-asar o mang guilt trip sa akin.

He shrugged. "I'm just saying. And we all know what happened to Chanel—could the sorority club be behind this? Plus, after what Gael did, the punks around campus might be looking for her, and they've got their own version of the story. Extra lang. Since he started the mess, everyone could've done something before we even realized it."

Napalunok naman ako. "But It wasn't intentional. I don't mean it, I told you guys I already stopped being a bully." giit ko naman.

"Kakatigil mo palang 'wag kang tanga. Mas matagal pa pagiging takaw-gulo mo kaysa sa pagbabago mo. Tingin mo paniniwalaan agad ng lahat iyang pag babago mo? Mindset ba mindset." paalala naman sa akin ni Chad sabay duro sa aking noo.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero lahat ng sinabi niya ay totoo. Kakaiba ang paaralan na'to at ang isang tulad ni Ruby na bagong salta ay paniguradong pag kakainteresan ng lahat. Hierarchy at school is the number one crisis and knowing her together with her attitude? Things might be misunderstood.

"So, what do we do now?" I asked, trying to keep the nervous edge out of my voice.

"Tame her," they answered in unison, their eyes gleaming. Their synchronized response took me aback, and I instinctively took a step back.

"Ha? Tame her?"

"Oum!" sabay nilang tango sa'kin.

"Ako lang? We will nga, hindi ba?" I stammered, looking from one to the other.

"Tanga!" they both barked, rolling their eyes in sync. Aoike crossed her arms, pointing a finger between himself and Chad. "You started it first, so us?" she shrugged, tapping her chest, then nodding at Chad. "We're just here to help. You can handle it, big boy." she smirked, clearly enjoying the way I squirmed under the pressure.

"Mindset ba mindset." pang-iinis ulit ni Chad.

"Fine. Let's go find her now..." pag payag ko nalang dahil wala narin akong choice.

How could I even maintain a good conversation with her? Damn it.

We splitted.

Si Aoikee sa right wing at ako naman sa left. Si Chad naman ay maghahanap sa labas ng field, malapit sa sports club building. Nagsimula ako sa pagtingin-tingin sa mga rooms kung saan tanging authorized personnel lang ang nakakapasok.

Sinisilip ko rin ang ibang klase kasi baka andoon siya pero wala parin. If Aoike's right, where could she be? Ano naman kayang grado ng boyfriend niya? Baka nasa college na? Iisa pa naman ang parking area ng secondary at tertiary campus.

Baka naman sumakabilang campus ang babaeng iyon?

I was on my way on the next campus when I happened to hear something from the abandoned rooms. Nagtataka pa ako kasi ginawang supply room na ang mga room dito. I step back and started to listen more.

Ayon na naman ang mahinang kalabog at galing iyon sa Janitor's room sa'king likuran. Agad kong sinilip ang room ng makarinig ng mahinang pag iyak. At hindi na ako nagulat ng si Rubianna ang nakita kong nakabusal ng duct-tape ang bibig at mukang tinali pa siya sa isang paa ng mesa.

Sino naman kaya ang gumawa nito?

I grab the doorknob pero hindi ko mabuksan. I heard her grumbled again, naiinis nadin ako sa pintuan. Why I always had a problem with opening doors? Tinignan ko pa ang paligid, siniguradong walang makakita bago ko pinagsisipa ang pintuan.

Bakit kasi pinutol na ang linya ng security cameras dito? Kaya naglalakas loob ang mga estudyanteng mam-bully eh. Andyan pa ang mga admin na walang pakialam sa mga nagaganap dito, unless there's money involve.

Luckily the doorknob was loose enough and it just needed a couple of kicks before it broke and fell on the ground. Adrenaline surged through me as I pushed the door open, revealing the dimly lit room within.

There she was, her eyes wide but it was blank and nothing. Without hesitation, I rushed to her side, offering a hand. "Come on, we've got to get out of here," I urged, my voice barely above a whisper.

I reached to pull the duct tape off her face, but she quickly turned away, flinching at the sight of my hand.

Doon ko na napansin kung gaano karaming pasa at sugat ang mukha niya at parang lahat ng iyon ay dahil sa'kin. Putok pa ang labi nito pero sa palagay ko ay bagong sugat iyon. So, I don't think it was from me. Someone could have punch her hard to make her lower lips swell so bad.

I reached for her hands, and to my shock, blood was already dripping from them. Her nails had dug deep into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped wounds in her skin. Pareha lang ng sugat na binigay niya sa akin noon.

Binilisan ko nalang ang pag tanggal sa duct tape sa kamay niya dahil baka ano pang masabi ko at mag aaway na naman kami rito.

"Do you know who did this to you? How long have you been here?" I asked, looking at her, and was about to pull the tape from her mouth, but she immediately look away. She yanked the tape off harshly and blew hard when the ends were still stuck to her cheeks.

"The boys with Floid and I was here since morning before I could get in to the class." mariin niyang sabi ngunit andon ang bakas ng pagod at puyat sa kanyang boses.

"I'll talk to Mister Dick about this." sabi ko at tinulungan siyang makatayo.

I then reached for my phone to call Aoikee, habang nagriring palang ay parang naririnig ko na ang boses niyang nagagalit sa'kin. Wala na akong pake, basta't nahanap na si Ruby.

"I found her. Yes, papuntang tertiary. Maghihintay kami rito." I immediately hang up and heaved a heavy sigh.

I glanced at her, who was staring off into space. We had already stepped out, waiting while I held onto her by the wrist. It felt like I was gripping the lifeless branch of a dead tree. If she was quiet before, she was even quieter now.

Her appearance was disheveled, looking like she had just come from a war. Some buttons on her uniform were even missing, and I accidentally caught a glimpse of her brassiere.

Who thought someone as skinny as her had a well stuffed, rounded boobs?

I cleared my throat, what I was thinking?

Tama, hindi ko alam kung papaano ko sasabihin sa kanya na bukas ang uniporme niya. Kung ano-ano pang pumasok sa isipan ko. Baka kung ano namang masama ang ginawa ng mga kaibigan ni Floid sa kanya.

Tch.

"Stop staring, hindi ko magalaw ang kamay ko." she suddenly grumbled. Right, her wounds... hindi niya maayusan ang sarili dahil namamaga na ito at duguan.

"Did they do something to you?" as usual, hindi siya sumagot. I unbottoned my polo shirt and take it off. "If you don't mind," I said and put it on her. Pinatong ko lang ang likuran ng uniform ko sa dibdib niya para matakpan siya. Maya-maya ay dumating narin sila Chad at Aoikee.

"Oh dear, what happened?" Aoike almost cried and she was almost stunned when Aoike touched her.

"K-kamusta ka?" her face change upon seeing Aoike and her tone softened a little bit as well. First time kong narinig na hindi siya makapag salita ng maayos. Nahihiya ba siya?

"I am fine, don't worry about me. Kami dapat ang mag-alala sa'yo. Alam mo bang hinanap ka namin since yesterday sa mga Ospital? But you're nowhere to be found."

"Ah, I went home right after."

"Tsk, I thought you were kidnapped. Where's your boyfriend though? Tsaka bakit ka ando'n sa Janitor's room?"

"Boyfriend?"

"Mm, your boyfriend. Gaeru-kun said your boyfriend came to save you from him." agad na tumingin sa'kin si Ruby, nangungunot pa ang noo nito na parang mali pa ang sinabi ko.

"Ahh, my boyfriend..." she uttered, still looking at me with her heavy death glares. Pinutol niya pa ang sasabihin niya habang naghihintay pa ng sagot si Aoike.

"Mga barkada ni Floid ang gumawa niyan sa kanya. She was locked inside the Janitor's room." paliwanag ko nalang dahil wala na siyang planong magsalita pa.

"What? Mga wala talagang modo, pati babae sinasaktan. Mga lalaki talaga ngayon!" halos isigaw naman iyon ni Aoike sa akin. "Wait here, magpapa-alam ako na hindi tayo papasok dahil may emergency. Oh, why not wait us in the parking lot." Aoike stated at sinamahan na siya ni Chad.

"Sa penthouse." Chad mouthed before leaving.

"Come on..." I said but she didn't move. "Sumama kana, 'wag kanang maarte." nababadtrip kong sabi.

She scoffed but kept quiet, allowing me to grab her like a piece of trash. When we reached the parking lot, I let go of her in front of the shotgun seat, but she didn't move to open the car door.

"Hindi ka sasakay?" I asked and even opened the door for her.

"Hindi ko naman sinabing sasama ako." ayan na naman ang pagiging sarkasitiko niya.

"Oh bakit ka sumama dito?"

"Excuse me?" ungot niya.

"You let me grab you," I muttered.

"Sa tingin mo may lakas pa akong mag pumiglas?! Eh kung mangaladkad ka, para ako na'kong basura? And my body still hurts from what you did to me."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya...and I could really tell how much she's hurting. "I-I'm sorry... Sorry."

She raised an eyebrow at talagang naramdaman ko ang pinapakita niyang galit sa akin. "Does that change everything, or are you expecting me to come with you to save your ass from your friends?"

Her words cut deep, sharper than I'd care to admit. I winced, feeling the sting of her harsh tone. "You're so rude," I grumbled, looking away. "I really am trying! So damn hard to get along with you... Pero hindi lang talaga ako magaling manuyo. I don't know what to exactly do, okay?"

I said that with all of my frustrations but
she just scoffed, giving me a look that seemed to say, Try harder. "Kaya pala may nalalaman kang pahawak-hawak ng kamay tapos sisilip pa." she mumbled.

My forehead crumpled, I wasn't holding her hands though at hindi ko sadyang masilipan siya. "Sumama ka nalang kasi."

"Bakit ka ba namimilit, ha? Pagkatapos mo'kong sagasaan, accusing for hurting your friend and disturbing her and then grab me to crush my face with your bare hands?" nag tangis nalang ang aking panga dahil sa pagpapa alala niya sa mga nagawa ko sa kanya. "Ang kapal din ng mukha mong magpumilit ano? Wow ha? Hiyang-hiya naman ako—hoy! Ano ba?!"

She yelled when I grab and carry her like a sack of rice on my shoulders. Binuksan ko ang shotgun seat para mapasok siya doon ng madalian.

Halos sumalampak pa siya pero wala na akong paki dahil agad kong narinig sila Aoike kaya dalian kong sinara ang pintuan.

"Everything's alright?" Aoike asked.

"Yeah, she's inside." I forced a smile and wait for them to get inside Chad's car.

I rolled to the driver's seat after Chad's car revv up. Pagpasok ko randam ko na ang mabigat niyag titig.

"Behave." utos ko nalang at agad na binuhay ang sasakyan. Pina una ko sila Chad na lumabas bago ako sumunod papalabas ng campus.
         
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"Hey, we're here. 'Wag kang maghintay na pagbubuksan kita ng pinto dahil hindi mangyayari 'yon." she didn't answered, so I look at her.

"Hey!" sigaw ko pero hindi parin ito sumagot.

Tch. Bahala siya diyan!

Lumabas na ako ng kotse at ganoon nalang kabigat ang paglakad ko papasok. Ano ba kasing nangyari 'don? Tutuloy na sana ako pero naalala kong magagalit na naman sa'kin si Aoikee.

Tch, ginulo ko ang aking buhok dahil sa inis. Mabigat ang loob kong bumalik at lumibot sa shotgun seat para pagbuksan siya pero ganoon nalang ang gulat ko ng sumabay ang katawan niya sa pinto at muntikan na siyang mahulog kung hindi ko agad siya nasalo.

What the hell happened?

"Hey! Ruby wake up!" I slightly tap and shake her shoulders but there's no response.

Kaya naman kinuha ko na paalis ang katawan niya sa loob ng kotse at doon ko na nakita ang mukha niya. Nanlalaki pa ang mata ko ng makakita ng dugo sa noo nito.

"Heck! What's wrong with you?" bulalas ko pa saka nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob.

"Welcome to the club Ru—!" I almost tripped over when they shouted together with the banging sound from the party popper.

Tch, ano bang trip ng mga 'to?

"What happened!" Chad asked almost shouting.

"Don't give that look cause I didn't do this to her, okay? Let's just give her first aid!"

Halos tinakbo ko na ang kwarto ko sa Penthouse ni Chad at ng makapasok ay maingat ko syang hiniga. Sumunod naman sila Aoikee na bitbit ang first aid kit.

Now I hated the atmosphere. Chad and Aoikee is fusing with anger again. Tch!
             
   

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RUBY'S POV

Pagkahilo.

Iyon ang aking naramdaman ng subukan kong imulat ang aking mga mata. Distinct voices came into my ears and tingled my eardrums like a firecracker exploding in the sky.

It is literally splitting my head!

Damn it.

Gano'n ba kalala pagtama ng ulo ko sa lever gear at parang mahihiwa na ito sa sobrang sakit? Nauntog kasi ako ng sapilitan akong ipasok nitong si Cross sa kotse niya.

Impit akong napasigaw sa kaloob- looban ko at halos ituon ko na sa bedsheet ang lahat ng lakas ko para mainda lang iyon. Kingina, mas malala pa ata pagka untog ko kesa sa natamo ko galing sa mga kamay ni Cross.

Ngayon na siguro ako maniniwalang saka mo lang maramdaman ang epekto ng mga masasamang bagay na natatamo ng katawan mo kapag tumigil kana sa pinaggagawa mo.

Yung parang immune ka kapag andiyan na sa harap mo ang sakit pero saka kalang sisigaw sa sobrang sakit kapag wala na iyon sa harap mo. Gets niyo? Ah bahala kayo.

"Hey are you alright?" napalingon ako sa nagsalita at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit andito siya sa harap ko.

Ang kapal talaga ng isang 'to.

May lakas pa ng loob na magtanong eh kung sa kanya ko nga rin gawin iyong ginawa niya? Bwiset.

Saka ano bang ginagawa ko dito? I just realized that I was laying in a queen sized bed wearing this soft sheets around me and wait a sec.

Am I fucking... naked?

Pabalikwas akong bumangon at tinignan ang katawan ko sa ilalim ng makapal na kumot na iyon!

What the heck?! Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong napatingin kay Cross at wala rin itong pang itaas na damit!

"What did you do to me?" nagbabanta kong tanong habang dahan-dahan na itinaas ang kumot sa dibdib ko.

"Hey!" sigaw niya rin. "It is not what you think!"

"Then why we're both naked!"

"It's because... stop staring at me like that!" he stuttered and I can feel he's also terrified.

Ano nalang ako?!

Magigising akong nabibiyak ang ulo ko't makikita ang sariling hubo't hubad kasama ang lalaking matagal ko ng gustong patayin? I am more than terrified!

"Oh, you're awake." napabaling naman ako sa nagsalita and it was Aioke.

Bakit ko ba kasama 'tong mga 'to?

"I bring more heat lamps to get your normal temperature back. God, you're dead freezing! Kaya nakapatay ang mga aircon at maraming ilaw na nakapaligid." aniya kaya sinuyod ko ng tingin ang paligid ko.

Fuck, what happened to me when I dozed off?

"Why I am naked?" bulalas ko at para namang tangang bumungisngis si Aoike.

"Gaeru-kun gave you heat therapy. Warming you up using he's body temperature."

Haaa??? Uso ba'yon eh ang init dito sa Pilipinas! Heat Therapy? Gaya nung ginawa niya sa Villa? Wait, what exactly happened to me?

Natahimik na lamang ako dahil hindi ko alam ang sasabihin at kung tama bang may sasabihin.

I know I have cold intolerance pero paano naman nangyari 'yon? Umulan ba? Dahil sa temperatura ng lugar na'to? The anger I felt soon subsided and it went blank again as I do not know what happened after I lost my consciousness.

If weren't for the heat lamps and Cross' body temperature, I could be freezing in death.

So, how I could be mad?

Besides, I'm not that totally naked cause I still have this undergarments but I am embarrassed by not being aware of what happened. Or should I be thankful of not knowing what happened?

Ah. This is absurd.

"Gael took care of you." dagdag ni Aoike. "Hehe. I should go..." why she informed me like I should trust what she said?

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

I gathered all the sheets around me and covered myself more at the corner. I still have the chills kahit pa nag-uumapaw na sa katawan ko ang init.

Hindi ko alam ngunit parang nangangatog bawat kalamnan ko sa hindi malamang dahilan. Sa lahat ng mga bagay na nangyari sa akin matapos ang dalawang linggo, ito na ata ang nakakapagod at pinakaraming beses na sumagi sa isipan ko na sana tuluyan nalang akong namatay sa mga kamay ni Cross.

Tutal, mailang beses narin akong binaon ni kamatayan sa hukay pero heto parin ako't humihinga. Still digging my way out from hell.

Hanggang saan ka aabot, Rubianna?

"Call me if you need something... I'll head out first." Cross muttered while putting his white polo on. "If you'll get down, wear my hoodie." he said after getting one form a cabinet.

I didn't say a word and just stared at him putting the hoodie at the other side of the bed. I didn't trailed of until he left. Of course, he sound like a president announcing me an exclusive order that I must follow.

Muli akong napabuntong hininga. Kung ano-ano nalang ang nangyayari sa akin. Hindi pa nga ako nakaka isang buwan sa bansang ito, eh halos maging kwento na nalang ako.

Ano na naman kaya ang mangyayari sa susunod? And where's Dirk? Akala ko siya ang nakahanap sa'kin doon sa Janitor's room. Pagkatapos niya akong ihatid nawala nalang siya bigla, tapos hayon pinagtulungan ako ng mga lalaking kasama ni Floid noon sa Cafeteria.

Leche lang at pinag pyestahan pa ang katawan ko.

I think an hour had already passed habang giniginaw padin kaka-isip and I can feel my stomach crumble. Wala paring bumabalik ni isa sa kanila kaya nagsikap akong gumapang sa kama para makuha ang hoodie ni Cross.

It was fluffy and soft kaya hindi na ako naginarte pa't sinuot agad iyon. Sa sobrang laki pa niyon ay nagmukang dress sa akin. I also roamed around the room and amusement plastered to my face. Grabe, kumakalahati lang sa studio type apartment ko ang kwartong ito.

Paglabas ko pa ay tumambad naman sa akin ang malapad na hallway. Ang isip ko'y namamangha sa bawat nakikita ng aking mga mata. Bagaman hindi na bago sa'kin ang mga 'yon, hindi ko maiwasang hindi mawili sa kung gaano kaganda ang interior ng bahay.

Samahan mo pa ng bricks accent at dilaw na ilaw. Ang gaan-gaan sa pakiramdam. Hindi sumasakit ang mata ko sa tuwing tatamaan ng ilaw, sa halip ay nagagandahan ako sa liwanag na binibigay no'n.

Can I buy this house?

"Bakit ka lumabas?" I heard Cross from behind.

Tinatanong paba 'yon? Nilingon ko siya't pumang abot ang aming paningin kaya nalibot ng mata ko ang kabuuan niya. Halatang bagong ligo dahil sa basa niyang buhok.

"Are you hungry?" he asked again.

I don't know but everytime he acts nice infront of me feels like he's just acting up. Gusto ko tuloy siyang dekwatin at sikmuraan. O kaya dakmain ang leeg niya para ma sakal ko sa kanya ang telang nakatali sa kurtina nila. I also saw a wall display of a Japanese hairpin that was sharp enough to stabb him in the lower jaw, straight to his carotid artery—

"What are you thinking?" tanong niya ulit habang nakipagtitigan din sa akin.

"Mhm?" I pursed my lips and shrugged my shoulders.

"C'mon let's head downstairs." anito ng lumapit.

I inwardly groaned, protesting to the misplaced authority his trying to show towards me. I turn around and made a face. "Kung tadyakan ko kaya siya mula dito, tapos sisiguraduhin kong hindi na siya makakabangon?" Sabi ko sa sarili ng tignan kung gaano kataas ang hagdan.

Ay, plastic nga pala siya, 'di siya
basta-basta matitigok dahil ang katapat niya'y nagbabagang apoy na pinaliyab ni Satanas. Paunahan nalang sigurong matunaw at ang mauuna lalamayan ng lugaw.

Nang makababa ay agad na tumambad sa akin ang living area at dining area. Halos 'di nalalayo ang pagitan nito dahil bar counter lang ang nag mistulang division nito. Kumbaga easy access mula sa kusina hanggang sa sala.

"Oh? Bumaba kana? Ayos kana ba?" bungad ni Chad na may suot na apron.

Required bang sumagot sa mga walang silbing tanong nila?

"Hindi, dahil gutom ako." Gusto ko sanang sabihin pero tumango na lang ako. Pagka-upo ko sa couch ay siya ring pagsulpot ni Aoike sa counter na may inilapag na umuusok pang roasted chicken.

"Hala bakit ka bumaba?" maarteng aniya. "I prepared bedtime dinner na eh!"

"Bawal ba? Aakyat nalang ulit ako." sabi ko at natigilan ito.

"Hehehe! Hindi ka naman mabiro Rubianna eh!" nakangisng angil niya.

"Alright let's have a feast." anunsyo ni Chad nang mailapag nito ang kaluluto pang barbecue seafood.

"Itadakimasu!" usal din ni Aoike at nagsimulang kumain. "Oh, douzo meshiagare..." pagyaya pa nito sa akin na kumain narin.

Nagugutom nga ako pero wala rin akong ganang kumain. Naalala ko tuloy yung pusa. Is he fine?

Pasimple naman akong napatingin sa labas, mukang lumalalim na ang gabi at sa tingin ko'y malayo ang lugar na'to mula sa bahay. Gusto ko ng umuwi pero malakas din ng ulan sa labas. I could tell just by look at the glass wall.

"Don't you have appetite?" ramdam kong pagaalalang tanong ni Chad.

Sapilitan akong ngumiti at siniksik nalang ang sarili sa dulo ng upuan. Suddenly, I feel tired. Pakiramdam ko sobrang lumpo ko na. I feel like a paper, so lightheaded, fatigue, in pain and frustrated.

"May iba kabang gustong kainin? I'll get something for you." saad naman ni Cross at tatayo na sana pero agad ko ring pinigilan.

"Ako na... Kung ayos lang." nauutal ko pang sabi.

"Okay, you can have whatever you want at the pantry." I just gave him a small nod and headed to the dining area.

Mas nakakahiya ata itong ginagawa ko. Pero wala talaga akong gana eh, ayaw ko rin sa pagkain nila. Masyadong fermented at ayaw ko no'n.

Nag halungkat nanga ako sa walk in pantry nila na pwede nang grocery store. Sa dami pa ng pagkaing andoon hindi ko rin malaman kung ano ang gusto kong kainin.

Kaya lumipat ako sa fridge na andoon sa gitna at parang nabubuhayan ako ng loob ng marinig na naman ang sikmura ko. Nakakita kasi ako ng paborito kong dumplings... Branded pa ito dahil ito yung binibili sa akin ni Adofo sa tuwing uuwi siya galing Tsina.

I giggled and bite the insides of my cheeks.

Sa sobrang gutom at excitement, hindi ko dinama ang lamig galing sa fridge dahil inabot ko pa ang isang pakete ng dumplings. I stubbornly suffered for the food at halos manigas na ako kakatuwad sa loob ng fridge.

And it was too frozen making it hard to pull the hardened food. Shit naman... Libreng pagkain nanga lang maghihirap pa ako. Talagang pinilit ko pang makuha ang isang pakete when chills started to crawl in every nerve endings in my body and I find myself falling when I finally pulled it out.

I cursed the hell out of that moment and waited for my fall but it didn't happened when I felt somebody's arms snaked around my waist before I could hit the floor.

"Are you dumb?" he utter and before I could say something he immediately wrap his arms around me and pin me on his chest. "You're freezing... stubborn like a kid, shaking on her knees." nagagalit pa nitong bukambibig.

Damn. This is totally embarrassing.

"You're still shivering. Wrap you arms around me."

"Huh?" usal ko at wala naman itong pasabing hinila ang mga kamay ko at kusang ipinasok iyon sa loob ng makapal niyang jacket. He even push my body towards him and I could feel my breast crushing onto his chest.

"We can't stay here long. On my lap."

"What?" nagugulat kong tinignan siya pero hindi na ako hinintay nito na makakilos.

He effortlessly scooped me by the waist and placed me on top of him, pulling me into his jacket. I could feel his left hand firmly supporting my lower back and his right hand supporting my butt, guiding me to adjust myself more comfortably against him. Once I was settled, he walked out of the pantry with ease.

Now I look like a meat ball clinging to him.

Great.

And when we emerge infront of the two, I can feel their confused look kahit pa nasa loob ako ng jacket ni Cross. Wala akong narinig na nagsalita at ramdam ko nalang na umaakyat na ito sa hagdan hanggang sa narating na namin ang kwarto.

I heard the sound of the door locking behind us. At first, I thought he would let me out, but instead, he lay down with me on top of him and pulling me even tighter. Gently, he guided me to rest my head on his chest, holding me close as if to shield me from the world.

God, he's overreacting.

"Do you know what happened to you?"
tila seryoso niyang tanong kaya agad akong lumingo.

"After Aoike cured your head you were freezing to death and you were turning to blue. She cried when she thought you're dead." he mumbled. "I checked on you and your heart is barely beating."

"I almost died?" I whispered.

Ramdam ko naman ang muling pagkulo ng sikmura ko at doon na'ko kusang lumabas. Nagtama naman ang paningin namin ni Cross ng tignan rin ako nito ng nilabas ang ulo ko sa jacket niya.

Kulang nalang maglapat mga labi namin eh.

"You're stubborn for a dumpling." seryosong giit nito.

Pake niya ba, hindi naman siya ang nagugutom.

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THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

"Did you find her?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

"Not yet," he replied, adjusting his tie. "We're now looking into Asian countries, especially the Philippines."

"And the shipment?" I pressed.

"It's currently en route to the Philippines," he assured me. "We've secured it tightly—they opted for water transport."

I didn't respond. Instead, I leaned back in my chair, a twisted grin creeping onto my face. The firm had found a way to turn a profit, harnessing the power of the monster to their advantage.

And yet, of all methods, why sell her like that?

Poor one.

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To be continued...