Stranger Savior
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And it happened again. Hindi na naman ako nakauwi sa mansyon dahil sa nangyare. I woke up exhausted to the ruckus in the once quiet place.

Mabilis akong napatayo sa kama at walang pakealam na lumabas. May kung anong sigawan sa ibaba at tunog ng piano na tila ba ay pinaghahampas. Kabang-kaba ako na bumaba mula sa ikalawang palapag para lang madatnan ang mga bandilang nahinto sa pagtatawanan nang makita akong bumaba sa hagdanan.

Siguro ay dahil sa kaba o sadyang tanga lang kaya ako nagpadausdos mula sa pinakamataas na antas ng hagdanan pababa hanggang sa sahig. Napuno ng sigawan ang silid habang impit na napasigaw naman ako sa sakit ng puwetan at binti.

"Hala! Okay ka lang?" tanong ni Chandran na siyang unang nakalapit pero bago pa man niya ako mahawakan ay may biglang kumot na humablot sa buong mukha niya kaya natumba siya palikod. Imbes na tulungan ng ibang bandila ay tinawanan pa siya.

"Ngengealam kasi, napagbuntungan ka tuloy." rinig ko pa si Indiana bago tinulungan ang kasintahan.

Doon ko lang napagtanto na tinakpan na pala ako ng kumot ni Ysmael. I didn't know what he was doing until I realized I wasn't wearing anything below but my underpants.

"Anna, nadala mo ba ang sinabi ko?" Ysmael asked while securing the blanket around my waist.

"Yep! Samahan ko na kayo."

Without warning, Ysmael suddenly carried me which made me scream in surprise. "What are you doing?" taranta ko.

He only smiled and made his way up to the second floor. Mabilis ang pangyayare at nakita ko nalang na binababa niya na ako sa kama na pinagtulugan ko at kasabay nun ang pagpasok ni Anna at Indiana.

"Hi! I brought some clothes. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tipo mo kaya nagdala na ako ng marami." Anna chuckled and placed the duffle bag beside me.

She then turned to Ysmael, "Oh? Ginagawa mo? Alis ka na, huwag kang mamuso." tulak niya kaya sinamaan siya ng tingin.

Indiana sat beside me with a happy smile on her face, "I brought makeups! No offense, I know that you're maganda na but I just thought that maybe you're artistic?" napangiti ako sa bigla nitong pagbungisngis.

"Mamaya na 'yan, Diana. She might want to take a bath first, or maybe you want to eat breakfast muna? Gutom ka na ba?" Anna asked with worry.

Napakurap nalang ako at umiling, "I don't usually eat for breakfast." I answered remembering that one time I managed not to eat breakfast.

"Gusto mo bang maligo muna? Or unless you want to swim in the ocean? Nagdala na rin ako ng swimsuits!"

Mabilis niyang binuklat ang dala at masayang pinapakita sa akin ang mga damit na dinala. Narinig kong nasasabik rin si Indiana habang tinitigan nito ang mga swimsuit at mabilis na kinuha ang isang paresan na may tigreng desinyo.

"Would Kahn like this?" musot niya sa salamin.

Tumango si Anna, "Wala naman yung problema sa kahit ano."

"Exactly! He doesn't care about anything! He's not possessive nor even jealous whenever I talk with other guys. Nakakaasar!"

Bigla akong naguluhan sa pinagsasabi nito kaya natawa si Anna nang masaksihan ang ekspresyon ko. "Ganiyan sila lagi kaya huwag mo nang pansinin."

Pinatayo niya lamang ako at marahan na iginaya papasok sa banyo. "We'll wait for you here at sabay na tayong mag-almusal." tipid na ngitian ko nalang siya at pumasok na na may bakas pa rin ng pagtataka sa mukha.

Why does it seem like we aren't strangers? This is merely the second time we got to talk yet they're this comfortable with me already. Ganito ba kapag babae ang kausap mo?

Nagbabad na ako sa tubig ng ilang sandali at pinaniguradong malinis ang katawan. It's still 6 in the morning and my work usually starts at 8. Binilisan ko na ang kilos kaya nang makalabas ay agad naman nila akong inabutan ng pwedeng masusuot.

The girls also dressed up and I thought they're heading to their jobs as well. Ang nakapagtataka lang ay kung bakit nandito silang lahat ngayon? I mean, this place is quite far from the city.

Mabilis kaming natapos at sabay nang lumabas. The guys were already eating when we got out kaya naman ay nakatanggap sila ng batok sa dalawang babae, except for the Japanese guy who patiently waited for us.

Nakita kong nilapitan ako ni Ysmael na galing sa labas. Nang masilayan ko ang pag-aalala sa mukha nito ay nabatid ko agad na may problema sa hacienda.

"We need to go back right now," he stated grabbing the car keys from the jars. "The mare is having complications delivering her foal. She needed to be anaesthetized as soon as possible."

Kumabog ang dibdib ko nang marinig iyon at dahil sa pagkataranta niya ay pati ako ay nadamay. "Okay, so we should head back right now. Does Grandpa know about this? How about Jigo or the others? Baka pilitin nilang paanakin ito? You should warn them!"

"Hey, calm down. Everyone already knows it. There's nothing to worry about." ang kanina'y pag-aalala ay napalitan ng pagpipigil ng ngise.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, "I should worry! It's a mommy and her baby." nakangiting ginulo nito ang kakasuklay kong buhok.

"Let's go." sabay hila niya sa pulso ko.

"Hoy! Saan kayo pupunta?" tawag sa'min ni Chandran.

"Saan pa?" kakaibang tono sa sambit ni Corbin kaya agad na napatigil si Ysmael para samaan siya ng tingin.

"We're heading back. I need to perform C-section to Lory." seryoso nitong pagpaalam at hindi ko na narinig pa ang pang-aasar ng mga kaibigan niya.

Ang mercedes pa rin ang sinakyan namin kasi mas mabilis raw ito sa ibang sasakyang nakahilera doon. I could feel Ysmael's anticipation by the speed of the car that's why I felt a little scared that we might encounter an accident.

"Are you scared?" nasa harapan pa rin ang tingin niya.

"N-no." I stuttered and he laughed.

Following that, I noticed the car's speed drop and Ysmael's tight body relax. He chuckled, "Sorry, I forgot I'm with someone."

Umiling ako, "Naiintindihan ko."

"Ganito talaga ako kapag may emergency lalo na sa hacienda. I couldn't stand it knowing that life is involved." bigla nitong pagkukuwento kaya napatango nalang ako.

Kahit ako siguro ay hindi rin ako mapapakali lalo na't buhay ang pag-uusapan. Because I know what it's like to lose a loved one. And I understand Ysmael for that.

It took over half an hour to enter the hacienda. Nang makapasok ay agad naman akong napakapit nang bigla niya itong pinaharurot. He is well aware that there would be no car on the opposite side this time.

Sa rancho agad ang punta namin. We hurried our way towards his clinic where the outside was surrounded by few farmers. Mabilis akong nilipat ni Ysmael sa kabilang gilid at imbes na sa opisina ako papasok ay hinila niya rin ako kasama sa kaniya.

Pagkapasok ay nahagip sa mga mata ko ang dalawang lalaki, isa na nag-aasikaso sa mga kakailanganin nila at isa na hindi pamilyar na tao na bihis na bihis ito na sa tingin ko'y isa ring veterinarian. Napaangat ang kilay ko doon.

"Kepter." sambit ni Ysmael sa isang pamilyar na pangalan.

Tumuwid ng tayo ang lalaking medyo maliit lang ng kaunti sa kaniya at inayos ang surgical gloves sa kamay. "Naipasok na. Ikaw nalang ang hinihintay."

Simpleng tango lang ang isinukli ni Ysmael at mabilis ang kilos na pumasok sa isang silid na katulad ng opisina nito. Tahimik ko lang silang pinanood at hindi maiwasang mapatitig sa lalaking Kepter ang pangalan.

I swear that his name sounds familiar. Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung saan ko narinig.

Napakurap ako nang bigla itong lumingon sa gawi ko at kahit may takip ay malinaw na nakita ko kung paano niya ako nginitian dahil sa pagsingkit ng mga mata niya. Not only does his name ring a bell, but his aura also screams danger—magkatulad na magkatulad sila ni Ysmael. The only thing that set them apart was Kepter's mysterious air, which he exudes even when he grins. He is, nevertheless, attractive.

Napaurong siya sa kinatatayuan nang biglang patirin ni Ysmael ang paa nito at agad ni sinenyasan sa mata na pumasok na sa loob kung saan nandoon ang kabayo. Natatawang pumasok si Kepter habang siya ay nagpaiwan.

"Don't let any stranger enter that door, okay?" tinanguan ko siya.

"Just ask Hailee if you need anything. We'll finish this as soon as possible." tinanguan ko ulit siya pero sa pagkakataong ito ay may litong mukha.

I was about to ask him who's Hailee but he already entered the room. Hindi nalang ako nagsalita at nilibot ang tingin sa kabuuan ng clinic. I already know it was this big judging from the outside appearance. Ngayon pa lang kasi ako nakakapasok dito dahil wala naman akong maitutulong sa kaniya sa tuwing may gagawin siyang trabaho dito.

The clinic was better than I thought. Nagmukha pa itong maliit na hospital dahil sa kompletong gamit nito at may mala-pharmacy pa sa isang bahagi kung nasaan ngayon ang lalaking nakita kong nag-aayos kanina.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at huminga lang malalim. Ysmael is just inside the room across from me so I shouldn't be worried about anything. At isa pa, hindi sa panghuhusga pero mukhang malaki pa ako sa lalaking pinapanood ko ngayon.

My eyelids fluttered when he suddenly snapped his head at me. Bigla akong nangilabot nang makita kung gaano ka lamig ang tingin nito. I saw him put the papers on the counter before speaking.

"Gutom ka ba?" he said, his voice was most likely to be a woman's voice.

"Huh?" All I could say when he suddenly went out from the small pharmacy and opened the refrigerator near him.

Napakurap ulit ako nang bahagya niyang inangat sa akin ang isang packed lunch at cartoned milk. "Dr. Jaime mentioned that you haven't had your breakfast yet." he handed me the food—well, more like placed them on the table in front.

Napakurap ako kung paano niya pinanatili ang distansya namin. Siguro ay pinagbalaan siya ni Ysmael doon. Napangiti nalang ako at tahimik na sinunggaban ang pagkain. I had no idea if Ysmael have already eaten since we left the cabin while the flags were still eating.

Nakakalahati na ako nang maalala ko ang gamot na kakailanganin kong inumin. Kinapa ko ang bestida at napagtantong kahit cellphone ko ay hindi ko dala dahil sa selebrasyong pinuntahan kahapon.

I bit my lower lip when worry started to ascend. Pasimple kong sinilip ang pharmacy sa harapan at pinilit ang mga matang hanapin ang isang medisina. I'm not sure if this clinic has that drug, but searching for it isn't that tough.

Nagulat ako nang dumapo ang mga mata ko ang malamig na mata ng lalaki. A shiver ran down my spine.

"May kailangan ka?" he asked.

My lips parted, "Uh—Hailee? Where's Hailee?" pagrarason ko nang matandaan ang pangalang ito.

His forehead creased and face crumpled, it was the first expression I've seen from him. "Uh—ako si Hailee." sagot niya na ipinanglaki ng mga mata ko.

I immediately covered my mouth because I might offend her. I swear to heaven that I didn't know she was a woman! Mukha kasi itong lalaki dahil bukod sa maikling buhok nito ay ang dibdib niya.

Tiningala ko ulit siya nang marinig kong humalikhik, "I'm a lesbian so there's nothing to worry about." she confessed and I couldn't help but adore her.

Never in my whole life, I've heard someone introduced their orientation without reluctance. Nakakatuwang isipin na sinabi nito ang totoo sa akin at hindi nahihiya sa kung ano man ang tingin niya sa sarili.

Now that I know she's a woman, regardless of her orientation, my heart finally felt at ease. Matapos 'yon ay hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at tinanong sa kaniya kung mayroon ba silang gamot katulad ng iniinom ko.

She was taken aback at first so I told her a summary of my story. Agad siyang napaatras at mabilis naghanap nito. A smile escaped from my lips when I saw how considerate she was.

Nadatnan kami nina Ysmael na nagtatawanan habang umiinom ng kape. Hailee instantly stopped and stood as if she was a soldier in a military camp.

Narinig kong biglang humalakhak si Kepter at pinakatitigan si Hailee na may pang-aasar, "Marunong ka palang tumawa?"

Hailee didn't even seem to get annoyed and ignored him. Ako naman ngayon ang dinapuan nito ng tingin, "You should stay away from that woman. If you don't know..." inilapat niya sa mukha niya ang palad at umaktong binulungan ako kahit sa malaking espasyo sa gitna namin, "...she loves vaginas!" and he laughed like a crazy idiot.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng pagkairita doon, "And so what? Does that mean she's dangerous?"

Kepter stopped and looked at me amusingly, "No, but those who have a tendency to be of a different gender are more likely to be maniacs or monsters."

Nanlaki ang mga mata kong tiningnan siya, mukha na may bahid ng pagkainis at bibig na handang murahin siya. I wanted to hit him in the face and tell him how ignorant of the outside world he was, as well as how bigoted he was. Kung hindi lang talaga pumagitna si Ysmael.

Malakas na pagkalabog sa likuran nito ang pumaibabaw sa buong clinic. Maski si Hailee ay nagulat sa ginawa ni Ysmael. Nakangiti na inilagay niya ang sterile tray sa mesa sa gilid ng daanan at malakas na hinampas ulit ang balikat ni Kepter gamit ang kamay niya.

"Please don't mind this dick, ladies. Takot lang ito sa mabubuting tao. Don't worry; he's only good with words and causes no physical harm." mabilis niyang hinila ang kuwelyo ni Kepter at tinulak sa isang silid kasabay doon ang malakas na pagsara niya sa pinto nito.

He fixed his polo shirt when he took off his coat. Kaagad namang kinuha ito ni Hailee at maayos na tinupi. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin habang ang mga mata ay nasa pharmacy ni Hailee.

He asked for some drugs, probably for their patients but unfortunately, it wasn't available. Napatikom nalang siya ng bibig at nilingon ako.

"Are you good to stay here?"

"Why?"

"I'm going back to the city. I'm going to buy the medicine right now..." He faced Hailee, "...please order a box asap, Hailee. Mukhang marami pa ang mga hayop na manganganak ngayong buwan."

Hailee immediately did what he asked. Ako naman ngayon ay binalingan niya. "Nakakain ka na ba?" he asked even though the food package was in front of him.

Tinanguan ko siya, "How about you?"

Ganoon rin naman siya bago tumayo. "Do you want to see the foal? She's really adorable." nasasabik na tinanggap ko ang kamay niya at nagpatangay lang.

Pinasok namin ang isang silid na hindi ko alam mayroon pala. It was warm and the only light coming from inside was the incubator, which housed the foal.

Napatakip ako ng bibig, "Good God, she's pretty..." I complimented upon seeing the small white foal sleeping.

"Gaya mo..." he whispered and flatters my heart so I acted as if I heard nothing, "...do you want to name her?"

Napakurap ako na hinarap siya, "I-I'm not good at naming..." sabi ko habang nag-iisip ng pwedeng ipangalan.

"You can choose any name you want...the meaning doesn't matter..." aniya kaya mas lalo akong napaisip ng pangalan may magandang kahulugan.

My mouth parted as I finally came up with a name. Lumapad ang ngiti niya at naghalukipkip sa harapan ko. "Mind to let me hear that wonderful name you've chosen?"

Nahiya ako ng kaunti dahil baka mapapangitan siya, "Chance," I smiled, "because she was born out of hope by an outstanding veterinarian who gave her the chance she needed even though her odds of survival were already slim." and brought my stare back to the little Chance.

I felt Ysmael moved and blew out a sigh in relief, "I can't wait..."

"What?" I asked because I couldn't grasp what he whispered.

He only grinned and shook his head, "The name suits her." I felt even prouder after I heard that.

"Yael, bilin mo na agad para ma-inject na natin." Kepter appeared behind us.

Mabilis na tumango si Ysmael nang maalala ang kailangan niyang bilhin atsaka ako ginaya pabalik sa upuan. "Stay here, I'll be back after an hour."

Mabilis ko naman siyang hinawakan upang mahinto. I got him startled so I immediately released the hem of his shirt, "Ahm, can I come with you?"

Napatikom lang siya, "Aren't you tired yet? Gusto mo bang ihatid kita sa opisina upang matulog?"

"No. I'm fine, I had gotten a good sleep last night. I just want to accompany you because I thought that your job is really active and I believe I would enjoy it as well.

Napatango na lamang siya atsaka ako nginitian, "Sana sinabi mo agad na gusto mo ako parating makasama—nang-iinis lang kasi ako." bawi nito nang makita ang lumilipad kong palad.

Iginaya niya na ulit ako palabas at nadatnan ang mga taong nakaabang pa rin. When they saw Ysmael they immediately asked him questions and I couldn't help but laugh in silence. Daig pa nila ang reporters.

Namangha ako nang sagutin sila ni Ysmael ng mahinahon habang nakangiti kahit na nagmamadali ito. They were all joyed when they heard that both mom and baby survived and couldn't resist my teary eyes when I witnessed their priceless reactions.

"They're the nicest human beings ever." komento ko pagkapasok ni Ysmael sa sasakyan.

"They love animals as much as I do. Kaya naman ay kaya nilang maghintay ng ilang oras para lang malaman kung ani ang kalagayan ng mga pasyente ko."

"Is Kepter a vet too?" I asked.

Sinulyapan niya ako at tumango, "But he didn't apply as a vet in this land. Pero lagi rin naman itong tumutulong sa akin sa tuwing may operasyon." napatango naman ako.

"Bakit?" he asked so I shook my head.

"Nothing. He was just new to my eyes."

Nanliit ang mata niya, "Type mo?"

Ako naman ngayon ang nanliit ang mga mata, "Why? Jealous?"

He scoffed, "Why would I? He's moreno as well." mataray nitong sambit kaya natawa ako.

"Glad that you know." komento ko nalang bago kami nagtawanan sa loob ng sasakyan.

Mabilis ang takbo ni Ysmael sa sasakyan kaya hindi kami naabutan ng kalahating oras bago nakarating sa sentro ng Everett Valley. I roamed my eyes around, there were quite some people outside the road and I doubt I could go out of the car.

"Gusto mo ba akong samahan sa loob?" mabilis akong nag-iling at napahinto.

"I mean, I would love to because there's a lot of animals inside but I couldn't because they might surround me." tukoy ko sa mga tao sa labas.

Nakuha niya agad iyon at ngumiti, "Perks of being famous." he went on, "I'll just let the engine work so that you won't get sweats. Make sure to not unluck the door once I leave." pagpaalam niya.

Hindi niya sinayang ang oras at agad nga tumalon paalis ng kotse. His motion was fast yet he managed to glance back at me one more time as he was swallowed by the automatic doors of the veterinarian.

Napabuga nalang ako ng hangin pagkasandal. Now that I remember, it's difficult for me to go out with a lot of people. Sure that Ysmael was around which made me less worried but the fact that people might see me with him is another story.

I don't want issues with him again nor with anyone else. As much as possible, I don't want another dating issue to happen. Sapat na ang nangyare sa'min ni Rustom noon, ayaw ko na itong maulit pa.

And speaking of that manipulative psychopath, he's probably happy now that he got backed up by his name.

Napatiim bagang ako. Kahit na gustuhin ko mang kalimutan ang nangyare ay hindi ko pa rin ito magawa dahil sa malaking epekto nito sa buhay ko. The world may be unjust, but it is the people who are to blame: the monsters that the world does not need.

Agad kong iwinaksi si Rustom sa isipan nang maramdaman ko bigla ang pagyanig sa sasakyan. I gazed outside the windows. It seemed as though something had collided with the vehicle. Something massive and powerful.

Chills runs from the soles of my feet up to my spine. Napakurap ako nang biglang bumati sa akin ang isang mukha na nagdaga ng kaba sa aking dibdib.

Mabilis kong hinawakan ang pintuan at mahigpit na napahawak dito. I assume the abrupt shake earlier had something to do with the unknown person knocking on the window, his expression a mixture of annoyance and worry.

"May tao ba sa loob? Nabangga ko ang sasakyan mo! Tangina! Ba't mercedes pa?" sigaw niya mula sa labas atsaka palipat-lipat ang tingin patungo sa buntot ng sasakyan.

I couldn't move because of my anxiety reigning me. Nanginginig na ang kamay ko habang pinipilit ang normal na paghinga ibalik. It was only me against him; no ally nor a family. This felt as if a window of opportunity for me to express my hope. And this will determine whether my condition improves or remain the same. Kaya kailangan kong labanan mag-isa ito.

Patuloy pa rin ito sa pagkatok at may bahid na ng pagkainis sa mukha. With hesitation that I slowly roll down the window. Agad siyang umatras pagkakita nito.

"Miss. Pasensya na sa istorbo, ikaw ba ang may-ari ng kotse na'to?" mahinahon niyang tanong kahit paman ay namomroblema.

I parted my mouth when I noticed he doesn't recognize me. It felt relief, but it didn't make my anxiousness go away. "N-no..."

Napakamot ito ng ulo, "Kung maaari ay pwede ka bang bumaba at nang mapag-usapan natin ito? Tangina, kakabili ko lang ng kotse ko tapos mabundol ko lang, sa mercedes pa." halos matanggal na ang buhok nito sa kakasabunot.

Nakaramdam ako ng pagkaawa at dismaya sa sarili. I wanted to help as well, but I couldn't even deal with my own problems. I was startled when he suddenly unlocked the door from the inside and opened it without hesitation. Agad akong nataranta at pinigilan ito sa lakas na makakaya ko.

Napakunot noo siya at naguluhan sa ginawa ko. "Anong ginagawa mo? Marami pa akong pupuntahang importante, wala akong oras maghintay sa kung sino man ang may-ari nito." he was getting impatient and I couldn't blame him for that.

Pinilit ko pa ring pigilan siya sa pagbukas dahilan upang makuha ang atensyon ng iilan. I immediately got tensed up when few people surrounded us, each commenting about what they're witnessing. Nagmukha pa tuloy na ako ang nakabangga.

Impit ang sigaw ko nang magtagumpay siya sa pagbukas nito. Dumagundong ang dibdib ko at nang-init ang gilid ng mga mata. Nameywang naman agad siya at akmang kukunin na sana ang braso ko upang itayo nang bigla nalang sumara nang pagkalakas ang pintuan.

My gaze was drawn up to Ysmael, whose face I could barely see. Matangkad kasi ito at medyo mababa ang mercedes niya kaya walang hirap na tinakpan nito ang bandang dibdib niya.

Narinig ko ang mababa ngunit mahinahong boses nito na nakipag-usap sa lalaki. They were arguing at first about how the guy forced me to go out until the fire finally ran out.

Napatakip nalang ako ng bibig at napatungo sa inuupuan. My breathing had now returned to normal, and I felt as secure as I had before. Pero kahit ganoon ay hindi ko mapigilang maiyak dahil sa sarili.

I felt ashamed of my frailty. Remembering how terrified I was has only served to undermine the goal I set for myself in coming here.Kasi kailan ko ba nagawang talunin ang kaba ko sa tuwing nasa harap ng mga lalaki? I understand that treatment will take a long time, but I want to assist myself by restoring comfort whenever I speak with anybody.

Napahikbi ako at dahan-dahan na napatingin kay Ysmael na ngayo'y nasa tabi ko, marahang hinahaplos ang likod ko.

"Sorry I was late," he whispered, slowly wiping away my tears with his thumb.

I couldn't get angry at anyone who cared for me. Regardless of how vulnerable I felt anytime they stood up for me, there's always a thankful wag in my heart. At isa pa, hindi rin nila kasalanan na mahina ako kasi ako lang naman ang gumagawa nito sa sarili ko.

"Thank you..." was all I could say before my gaze was drawn to his, which radiated the warmth and assurance I required.

To the stranger who's been saving me,

Thank you.

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nyariina
8/6/'21